‘A big endeavor’
Her passion for purses began as a sideline to her curiosity and love of finding folk art, handmade quilts and anything offbeat. She kept coming across these wonderful purses, many styles of which she had never seen.
“I took my funky taste to looking at unusual and funky bags, too,” she said.
As she better understood the sociology of handbags, her feelings about them deepened. She knew she could honor women through their purses.
By 2000 or so, Davis had amassed an extensive collection numbering in the thousands, but she couldn’t keep them just for herself. She convinced others at least part of the collection was worthy of a traveling exhibit. A national tour was organized across the country from 2006 to 2011. Davis even made a personal appearance when the exhibit was on display at the Edmond Historical Society and Museum in 2007.
After the tour ended, she found herself enthralled with an area known as SoMa or South Main near downtown Little Rock.
“I never had a plan to have a museum,” she said. “Museums struggle with a lot of people managing them.”
But then it started to feel right, especially when she found a historic building.
“It seemed like it would be a good addition to the neighborhood I had been involved in and invested in, and it seemed like it would be doable,” Davis said.
“It’s a big endeavor. And it’s not been particularly easy. But it’s been enriching. I think people are beginning to understand it’s here to stay. It’s not just a fling, and it has some importance.”
Davis said she has come to realize there are so few places that really honor women. All women.
“I’m gradually understanding what the purpose of the museum is,” she said. “It’s not just to show purses. I’m trying to give women credit for the accomplishments and different things we’ve done. You don’t find too many places that do that.”
One way she accomplishes that is through temporary exhibits. Some are about purses; others not. The common thread is women. The most recent exhibit, “Take Your Purse with You: The Reimagined Work of Katherine Strause,” continues through Aug. 27. It features Strause’s paintings of women and their purses.
Davis said she really didn’t have any expectations when she opened the museum, but she’s had lots of support from the city, and some displays are being coordinated across the town.
“We’re gaining a little bit of clout or understanding that we’re offering something that’s just not common,” she said.
The bags are all Davis’ personal collection. Some have been donated to her; some were her mother’s. She has many, many more that are not on display.
The museum features a few hundred bags, one art installation and three dioramas. Visitors can walk around the clear cases and leisurely study the bags and objects from every angle. A high ceiling, contemporary mannequins, contrasting black and white walls and shiny black floors give it a modern, clean feel. It’s the perfect setting to display purses.
The other two dedicated purse museums are Seoul and Amsterdam. Little Rock is a lot closer for Oklahomans.
Visitors often are surprised at what’s inside. Some expect to see high-end bags, but those can be found at any department store or specialty boutique.
“We do have a Chanel, but expense is not the point of this museum,” Davis said. “It’s what people relate to. I don’t think a lot of people are disappointed.