Niles Historical Society Home Page.
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Throughout the Ward-Thomas Museum, visitors can see the handmade replicas of the inaugural gowns worn by the wives of the Presidents that are on display in The Smithsonian Institution in our Nation's Capital. Click on any thumbnail image to view larger image, then use the BACK arrow in your Web browser to return to this page and select other images to view. |
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| Martha
Custis Washington, wife of President George Washington. Her gown is typical of the late eighteenth century in both design and workmanship. It is salmon-pink brocade patterned with grey and white ribbon chainsand emerald-green squares centered with hand painted flowers. The neckline is edged in lace and the triangular shawl and mitts are Mechlin lace. Mrs. Washington alway wore a “mobcap” to social affairs. This one is handmade lace gathered with a wide satin ribbon. |
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| Abigail
Smith Adams, wife of President John Adams She is wearing a sapphire-blue daytime gown of heavy Canton crepe. The bodice is fitted and boned with diagonally-tucked matching satin running from the shoulder to the basque waistline. The leg-of-mutton sleeves are cuffed with neckline lace also seen in the fichu which is caught in front with a brooch. The straight cut skirt featres a twenty-inch border of Chinese embroidery. |
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| Mary McKee, daughter of President
Benjamin Harrison. Her inaugural ball gown is champagne-colored brocade, mustard-colored velvet, and gold-colored satin. The basque bodice has a draped velvet neckline edged with heavy embroidered scrolls of beaded lace which is repeated on the collar, cuffs, and hipline. A fishnet-like bib of beads ends in long beaded fringe. The redingote-type shirt shows the velvet underskirt and falls from a bustle into a sweeping train. |
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| Ellen Axon Wilson, first wife of President Woodrow Wilson. This gown typifies the era just before the First World War and the fashion lasted only a short time. it is a most unusual fabric, rose patterned white silk cut velvet corduroy. The bodice features an over-yoke of silk net embroidered with cut steel beads, rhinestones, and pearls with ropes of large pearls draped from the bodice and sleeves. The peg-top hobble skirt is draped over a lace and satin underskirt and extends into a pointed train. | |
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Grace Goodhue Coolidge, wife of President Calvin Coolidge. The President chose many of her clothes and liked her beautifully dressed. This is the only sleeveless short gown in the collection and is fashioned of transparent silk chiffon velvet in burnt orange. The bodice is bloused slightly with a rhinestone belt. There are three circular cut tiers of the skirt and a panel train sweeps nearly four yards from the shoulders. |
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