April 24, 2000
 

 Fashions, personal effects, and letters of many of America’s first ladies are now on exhibit at the Eisenhower Museum, Abilene, KS.   First ladies have always fascinated Americans because of their fame, status, and social position, and are often thought of as America’s version of royalty.  Though many Americans see the role of the first lady as that of home, family, and womanhood, those ideals have changed over the past two centuries.

While some first ladies stayed within the boundaries of what was considered a “proper” role, others extended the limits with personal interests.  This was especially difficult prior to 1920 when women were finally given the right to vote.  Several were instrumental in shaping policies concerning slavery, voting, and womens’ and children’s rights, while always aware that their actions were crucial to the success of a presidential administration.  Of the forty-two men holding the office of President, James Buchanan was the only bachelor, while several others were widowed or not married at the time of their presidency.  In those cases, often a niece or daughter of the President served as the official White House “hostess.”

 Visitors to this exhibit will see 29 reproduction gowns of the Smithsonian Institutions’ collection of original inaugural  gowns, along with other objects such as a note written by Mrs. Lincoln to Queen Victoria thanking her for her letter of condolence; a letter from Mrs. Kennedy thanking President and Mrs. Eisenhower for their get-well message when Senator Kennedy had back surgery; fans belonging to Martha Washington and Mary Todd Lincoln; jewelry worn by Mrs. Eisenhower to her husbands first inaugural; invitations to various Inaugural Balls.  Also, included in the exhibit are items borrowed from the Fashion Museum in Abilene.  Articles of clothing and accessories are displayed from the late 1870s through 1930 to give the visitor an idea of what the typical woman was wearing.  “The First Lady has always been a topic of great interest to the American people, and certainly to the Presidential Libraries. I am sure this will be a popular exhibition and hope visitors will take the opportunity to learn more about these women,” said Dennis Medina, museum curator.

 The Dwight D. Eisenhower Library is one of ten presidential libraries operated by the National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C., and is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 4:45 p.m., summer hours 8 a.m. – 5:45 p.m.  A small fee is charged for persons 16 years of age and older.  For more information, call 785-253-4751 or toll free 1-877-RING IKE.