First Ladies: More Than a Dress

Since 1912, tourists have flocked to the Smithsonian to see the gowns of our First Ladies. By the 1960s, moved to larger quarters in what eventually became the National Museum of American History, the First Ladies exhibit included White House china and personal accessories, although the gowns remained the centerpiece of interest. But over time our understanding and appreciation for the roles played by First Ladies widened beyond that of fashion icons to include activism in a variety of areas, including that of hostess, policy advocate, active public service, political campaigner, and promoter of the arts. Our program focuses on that evolution, starting well before the term “First Lady” even gained public usage and continuing through Jill Biden.

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