Old State House Museum 'First Ladies of Arkansas: Women of Their Times'

July 29 - August 4, 2019

By Cait Smith 

 

The “First Ladies of Arkansas: Women of Their Times” exhibit at the Old State House Museum explores the lives and accomplishments of the governor’s wives throughout Arkansas history. The collection encompasses dresses, inaugural gowns, as well as artifacts ranging from furniture and accessories, to campaign trail attire and materials highlighting the first ladies’ social agendas. Representing administrations from the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, it is the largest exhibit of first ladies’ gowns outside of the Smithsonian. The newly-renovated exhibit also includes video interviews with many of the Arkansas first ladies’ detailing their achievements and efforts during their time as First Lady of Arkansas. 

 

The origins of the collection date back to 1941; the Pulaski County Chapter of the Arkansas Pioneers Association held a fashion show with some of Arkansas’s first ladies modeling their own gowns. The fashion show was a success. In 1947, when the Old State House was decreed a museum for Arkansas’s history, a gown exhibit was assured a home. 

 

Anges Loewer, the first curator of the museum, worked closely with the Pioneers and the Arkansas Commemorative Commission on the exhibit. She also worked with many of the first ladies and their families to raise money and procure cases and artifacts. Many of the gowns were mildewed or torn and needed repairing; nevertheless, Loewer found a company in New Jersey who specialized in preserving gowns. After the gowns were carefully restored, the original Arkansas First Ladies exhibition opened in 1955 – it featured large glass display cases with fluorescent lighting. 

 

Over the years, many of the gowns have gone through significant conservation processes to remain in good condition. Such efforts to preserve the gowns has won the museum an Outstanding Conservation Work Award from the Arkansas Museum Association in 2017. Gowns in the exhibit include those worn by Susan Hutchinson, Ginger Beebe, Barbara Pryor, Hilary Clinton, Mabel Martineau, Elizabeth Little, Ewilda Robinson, Anne McMath, Betty Tucker, Gay White, Jeannette Rockefeller, Alta Faubus, Anne Brough, Betty Bumpers, Janet Huckabee, Margaret Cherry and Eula Terral.

 

The depth of this collection is truly remarkable and is a visitors’ favorite exhibit to this day. 

 

To visit this exhibit, the Old State House Museum is located at 300 West Markham St., Little Rock, AR 72201. Hours are Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.    

 

Source: Old State House Museum   

 

 

  • Eula Terral’s gown – the First Lady of Arkansas in the 1920’s – was ordered from Paris, France through B. Altman and Co. of New York. This straight dress has a scoop neckline and is made of cream colored satin accented with bead and pearl embroidery. (Photos by Cait Smith)
    Eula Terral’s gown – the First Lady of Arkansas in the 1920’s – was ordered from Paris, France through B. Altman and Co. of New York. This straight dress has a scoop neckline and is made of cream colored satin accented with bead and pearl embroidery. (Photos by Cait Smith)
  • Hilary Clinton’s 1979 Inaugural gown (middle) was designed by Little Rock designer Connie Fails.
    Hilary Clinton’s 1979 Inaugural gown (middle) was designed by Little Rock designer Connie Fails.
  • The cream colored gown (furthest left) was worn by the Arkansas’s longest serving First Lady, Alta Faubus.
    The cream colored gown (furthest left) was worn by the Arkansas’s longest serving First Lady, Alta Faubus.
  • Anne McMath’s hand-painted campaign dress. A portrait of Governor Sid McMath is featured on the left pocket of the dress, while smaller portraits of the McMaths’ sons are on the right pocket.
    Anne McMath’s hand-painted campaign dress. A portrait of Governor Sid McMath is featured on the left pocket of the dress, while smaller portraits of the McMaths’ sons are on the right pocket.