Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object Name |
Dress, Wedding |
Catalog Number |
1979.33.10.1 |
Date |
ca. 1865 |
Material(s) |
Silk/Cotton |
Dimensions |
H-51 W-16 inches |
Description |
This ecru silk wedding dress is comprised of a bodice (a) and a skirt with a train (b) and is sewn by both hand and machine. All of the details, embellishments, and fine sewing in the bodice have been done by hand. The long seams in the skirt have been finished by machine. The bodice (a) has wide flowing pagoda sleeves with triangular shaped openings. The sleeves have two bands of folded fabric trim each stitched approximately one and two inches from the end of the sleeves. The sleeves are lined with a lightweight ivory silk and trimmed with a one-inch wide ribbon pleated on the interior to allow for a textured folded trim to peek out from beneath the sleeve. The front of the bodice has a slight scoop front with a gathered ruffle trim around the neck that secures a flowing flounced collar of ecru lace that extends about ten inches from the neck. Beneath the lace, there are two bands of folded fabric trim that go around the neckline, which are folded identically to the ones along the sleeves. Two more bands of fabric like this follow the waistline and hem of the bodice. There are two channels of boning on each side of the front of the bodice just above the waistline. There is a hook and eye closure for the front consisted of a column of ten hook and eyes. The center front of the bottom of the bodice is pointed. The back of the bodice has bow secured over two stacked pleats that extend down to a point tail on the bodice. The underneath side of the tails are lined with the same silk as the dress. Inside the bodice, there are two cotton pads on the bust line that contour to the underarm. One side is unfinished and the other is lined with polished cotton. There is also a section of matching ecru lace that is gathered along the edge. It is unknown what this piece was used for or where it might have been attached if used on the dress. The skirt (b) is made of the same ecru silk as the bodice. It is a 6-gore skirt with a flat front and box pleats around the sides and the back. There is a pocket on the proper right side, and there are five rows of silk gathers around the bottom of the skirt that extends 10 inches from the hem. The train is 18 inches long. The hem is finished with a twill tape. The inside of the skirt is lined with polished cotton, and there is a 14.5" panel of heavily stiffened fabric that lines the hem and inside portion of the skirt. The back center has an 18" long opening along the waist with a hook and eye closure with two additional snaps that are a later addition. The dress also has two pads (parts c and d) and one segment of gathered lace (part e). |
Notes |
The deed of gift for this donation notes that this gown was made in the 1860s but was altered and used again in the 1890s. In the accession file, there are two cards tied together with a silk bow with a note that states that these cards were found in the box containing this wedding dress. The names on the cards are Laura E. McMeekin and Willie D. Rankins. Laura E. McMeekin was born around 1852 and resided in Georgetown, Kentucky. She married Willie D. Rankins, and they had a daughter, Jesse W. Rankins (1876 - August 1904). Jesse married Benjamin A. Lair (1869 - October 20, 1955), and one of their children was Benjamin Allen Lair, Jr. (1904 - Aug 12, 1979), who was the donor of this collection. |
Collection |
The Estate of Ben A. Lair, Jr. Collection |
People |
Lair, Ben A., Jr. Rankins, Laura McMeekin Lair, Jesse W. Rankins |
Subjects |
Wedding clothing & dress Wedding costume Weddings Bridal gowns Brides Dress Dresses Women Gowns, Wedding |
Search Terms |
Women Wedding Wedding dress Bridal trousseau Georgetown (Ky.) Scott County (Ky.) |
Physical Holder |
Kentucky Historical Society - KHS |