The “Katharine Hepburn: Dressed for Stage and Screen” exhibit at the Kent State University Museum will soon tour the country.

“It’s exciting for us to be able to offer the public something like this,” said Sara Hume, museum curator and assistant professor.

Hume said the exhibit has seen a lot of interest from other museums as well as the public.

The museum received Hepburn’s personal collection of costumes, clothes and artifacts in 2008.

The collection includes stage, television and movie costumes from “The Philadelphia Story,” “Coco,” “Stage Door Canteen,” “Adam’s Rib” and “Love Among the Ruins.” The clothes are pieces from her “signature look” — an ensemble of beige trousers and linen jackets. The Hepburn-related artifacts include vintage posters, playbills and photos.

The exhibit, which began in October 2010, will begin traveling after its end date in early September.

Stow resident Rose Gallagher visited the Kent State Museum with a group of seven friends to see the Katharine Hepburn exhibit.

“I knew it would be here and I thought it would be interesting for all of us to see since we’re all such fashionistas,” Gallagher said.

The women described the exhibit as “fabulous,” “unbelievable,” and “a real treat.”

“Katharine Hepburn was a movie icon and was extremely popular,” said Cindy Bleich, who traveled from Iowa to view the exhibit. “Even if you hadn’t grown up in that era you would know her. Our mothers worship her.”

Hepburn’s career as an actress, role model and fashion icon spanned six decades.

“The exhibit has been such a success because there is a great deal of fascination in the public with celebrities and movies,” Hume said. “We have tours pretty much every day.”

Hume said she expects the exhibit to travel to Florida for its first venue, although she cannot confirm it yet. She also said she hopes it will continue to New York and Los Angeles eventually.

Sasha Chinchar is the Fashion School and Performing Arts School reporter.

Contact her at [email protected].