The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1920-09-28
Gowns of Presidents Wives
Tn the National Museum

heavy brocade, over which is draped
point lace which falls in graceful
folds from the shoulders. The lace,
lent the museum by Mrs. Grants
daughter, is believed to be the same
she wore at the inaugural ball in
honor of her husband. The model
represents Mrs. Grant standing in a
corner of her drawing room appar-
emily smiling at and slightly looking
toward approaching guests.
Seated in one of the original MT.
Vernon chairs by the side of a table
used by General Washington is a
model of Martha Washington. She is
holding a work bag WHICH she made
during her declining years. on the
table are numerous household APP
pointments, also from Mount Yer
non, a Society of the Cincinnati tea
cup, a saucer, decanter and WINE
glass. a Lowestoft bowl filled with
yellow roses and mignonette, all OF
which are standing on silver walt
err taken from the silver service at
Mount Vernon.
Mrs. Washington's gown is
heavy salmon tint silk, painted in
set design, the colors of green and
brown predominating. On the floor
of the case is a receipted dressmak-
er's bill which reads:
philadelphia, July the IL, 1892
Madam Washington: To F. Serre.
To making silk habit, IL pounds;
to making pair of stays, z
pounds: to mending pair of
stays. / pound. Total, Is pounds:
Received payment in full. Serre."
Mrs. Sarah Childress Polk, wife of
President James K. Polk, entertain
ed serious views of life. During her
administration of the social affairs
of the white house dancing was new
err permitted and wine was prohlolt-
ed To fine clothes, however, sne was
extremely partial, and she was quite
as fond of gorgeous gowns as was the
gay hearted Mrs. Madison. The gown
shown in the exhibition, worn at the
Polk inaugural ball, is of blue bro
cade. a
Mrs. George w. Fall, adopted
daughter of Mrs. Polk, who lent the
Gown to the museum, wrote from
her home in Nashville, Tenn, that
the family records show some very
interesting things about Mrs. Polk's
fondness for fine clothes. When Mrs
Polk went to Washington with her
husband for the Inauguration she
wore a black velvet coat bordered
with a fringe and tassels and pur-
nile silk velvet hat trimmed with
broad reddish purple stripes:
The white house brides furnished
abundant material for models. one
ie Harriet Lane, niece of President
Buchanan. who married and became
q Johnston. and the other is Mrs.
John Tyler. The former gown Is o1',
property of Miss May. 5: Kennedy
and the latter belongs to MRS. Fearl
Tyler Ellis. ME-.
Tn Buchanan's administration MISS
Lane was the most popular .belle III
washington. Her violet eyes ana
Golden hair, in addition to WONDER
fully charming manner, endeareu
her to all those with whom she came
in contact. Although a woman OF
practically no social experience she
assumed the responsibilities of white
house hostess and never had they
been better conducted:
! : Mrs, Tyler's gown is the one she
wore when first presented to tne
court of Louis Philippe. It is beau
tifully embroidered creation, rather
more Youthful than any of the other
Gowns. It was particularly suited 70
Mrs. Tyler. however, for she took ok
IN fhe duties of the "first lady OF
the land" at an extremely youthtui
Mrs Taft's inaugural gown Is
shown. creation of floss, silver ana .
rhinestones. which was made for ner
in the Philippines. It is low CUT WI, VIII
short sleeves, and has a very ious,
| full train. It was presented 10 INV
museum by Mrs. Taft. Ia
aa,, tbe cases containing the mod
eIs Of the first ladies there is ms
ee eel collection of hats. umbrei-
las gloves and "whatnots' that wo-
- .s'a of ali generations loye.-Kansas