Texas First Ladies Historic Costume Collection |
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First Ladies
About the Collection
When we think of the phrase "First Lady," images of stately women with polished
smiles come to mind. The wife of the politician is expected to stand beside her husband,
quietly supporting his decisions and applauding his accomplishments. She must maintain
a warm, positive public image and never call unwanted attention to herself.
Since Texas' inception, the First Ladies have loyally lived up to these traditional expectations.
However, "Texas" and "traditional" have never quite fit hand in hand. The narrow glimpse
of the public eye often fails to capture a complete portrait of the personality, lifestyle,
and responsibilities of a Texas First Lady. These distinguished women have assumed numerous
roles, simultaneously fulfilling personal, social, and political duties: wife and mother,
hostess and socialite, scholar and teacher, emissary, and activist. From Texas' humble
beginnings to its prosperous present, the First Ladies have enriched the political and social
atmospheres of the capital, worked to raise the quality of life
for all Texans, and provided indispensable advice and support to the governor in office.
The Texas First Ladies Historic Costume Collection is much more than a chronology of fashion. This exhibit commemorates the struggles and successes of these notable women. Progressing from the 1800s through industrialization of the 1900s, amid the uncertainty of global war and the inspiration of social progress in this nation, the First Ladies of Texas have become icons of grace and compassion. Each woman leaves her own legacy, but shares common threads
that seamlessly stitch together Texas' assorted patchwork of experience.
Texas Woman's University is home to this unique Collection.
From dress to dress, one may identify the stylistic lineage in the fabric and
ornamentation. We hope that visitors will also see the Collection as a springboard
into the living history of Texas Women. Within the Collection one will find replicated
versions or original dresses that the First Ladies would wear to the Governor's
Inaugural Ball. This celebration became tradition as the 19th century came to a
close. We can imagine each First Lady making her majestic entrance, marking her
place in the Texas chronicles. As she enters, she models a dress that would eventually
become a mirror through which future generations could engage her experiences.
Texas Woman's University welcomes you to enjoy this gorgeous collection, but also
urges you to see beyond the heirloom garments and into the chambers of Texas' past.
***Each dress has been loaned or donated by various sources to the University.
Most dresses come from local Texas chapters of Daughters of the American
Revolution or directly from the Texas First Ladies.
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