Submitted photo A wedding dress worn by Katharine Hepburn in the stage production of “The Philadelphia Story” is one of the costumes that will be on display at the Kent State University Museum throughout the month of March.

The Kent State University Museum will host a program in March as part of the statewide Ohio Goes to the Movies initiative.

“Breaking Fashion Barriers” will look at the lasting cultural impact of Katharine Hepburn, one of the most influential figures in American film and fashion history.

The evening will feature a reception, panel discussion and a free screening of “The Philadelphia Story,” a 1940 film that helped define Hepburn’s iconic screen presence and fashion legacy.

According to Ohio Goes to the Movies Director Molly Kreuzman, “Katharine Hepburn’s legacy is deeply tied to Ohio through the Kent State University Museum’s collection We’re thrilled to partner with the museum to bring ‘The Philadelphia Story,’ written by Ohio-born screenwriter Donald Ogden Stewart, into conversation with the museum’s collection, offering audiences an experience that honors cinematic history while engaging contemporary cultural dialogue.”

The Kent State University Museum is home to the largest collection of Hepburn’s clothing and costumes from her career in film, television and theater, gifted by her estate in 2008.

An installation featuring costumes Hepburn wore for the stage version of “The Philadelphia Story” will be on display in the museum lobby throughout the month of March in conjunction with the program.

The panel discussion will feature faculty, museum professionals and students, highlighting Kent State’s collaborative and student-centered approach to experiential learning.

“Fashion is more than aesthetic; it is a visual manifesto of one’s principles, a truth Katharine Hepburn lived both on and off the screen,” said Craig Berger, associate director of Kent State’s Center for Student Involvement, in a press release. “Our panel aims to bridge Hepburn’s historic influence with contemporary activism, demonstrating how anyone can tap into their personal values, civic skills and community engagement to strengthen our social fabric.”

The event is scheduled March 26 at the museum, 515 Hilltop Drive, Kent. It will start with a reception in the lobby at 4:15 p.m., followed by the panel discussion at 5 p.m. and the movie screening at 6 p.m., both in the museum’s Murphy Auditorium.

The event is free, but reservations are encouraged at connect.kent.edu/register/breaking-fashion-barriers-2026. Free parking is available in the Rockwell Hall R-1 lot.