A woman’s wardrobe can say a lot about her — but for a first lady, the gown worn at the inaugural ball makes the ultimate statement.
The First Ladies’ Gowns exhibit at the Old State House Museum features gowns Arkansas’ first ladies wore at the inaugural ball held in honor of her husand’s election dating back to the 1840’s.
But deterioration with age is inevitable and now many of these dresses, in addition to the exhibit itself, are in need of a little TLC.
To conserve and restore the dresses and the exhibit, which is housed on the second floor of the museum, First Lady Susan Hutchinson, along with the Old State House Museum Associates board of directors, announced a fundraising lunch on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion on Tuesday, October 6.
Five of Arkansas’s former first ladies (Ginger Beebe, Janet Huckabee, Betty Tucker, Gay White and Barbara Pryor) have committed to be present for the event.
Tickets are $150 in advance. To reserve, call (501) 664-1879.