Wedding Gown, c. 1876
January 26 - July 31, 2010

The Center for History has begun to feature a costume from their vast collections an ongoing basis. Being shown now through July 31 is a brown silk taffeta wedding gown with a slipped bustle, circa 1876.

States Randy Ray, the Center for History’s executive director, "The Center for History is proud to hold a costume collection which is heralded by institutions across the country. In addition, we are fortunate to have three honorary board members, Pat Potts, Sharon Deneen and Norma Lu Meehan, who have for years and in many ways contributed their knowledge and creativity in the area of fashion. Two years ago, they served as guest curators for our highly-acclaimed exhibit 100 Years of Design, which was on view at the Center for History for six months in 2008-09. Prior to that, they were guest curators for the museum’s Veiled Illusion: Vintage Bridal Gowns in the Oliver Mansion (2003), Trump for Victory: 1940s Fashions & Bridge (2004), and Flapper Fashions: Roaring ‘20s in the Oliver Mansion (2005). It seemed logical to highlight both the costume collection and their expertise by asking them to select and place on view on a regular basis a gown or dress from our institution."

The wedding gown features a jacket fitted with three rows of buttons down the front, long sleeves with bows on the ends, and criss-cross lacing with buttons down the center back The skirt is plain with a wide pleated ruffle around the bottom, a tucked panel with lacing on the left side, and a draped polonaise on the right side. The underskirt has a wide pleated ruffle around the bottom.