Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
1069233
label
1976/06/24 - Gown Presentation, Smithsonian Institution
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
1069233
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
1976/06/24 - Gown Presentation, Smithsonian Institution
citationUrl
collections
Frances K. Pullen Files
Frances Pullen's Speech Reading Copies
subjects
Smithsonian Institution. 1846-
President (1974-1977 : Ford). Office of the First Lady. 1974-1977
Clothing and dress
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
1069233
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1976-06-30
month
6
year
1976
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1976-06-01
month
6
year
1976
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
d990bdc6f1841f40
ocrText
The original documents are located in Box 4, folder "Gown Presentation, Smithsonian
Institution, June 24, 1976" of the Frances K. Pullen Papers at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 4 of the Frances K. Pullen Files at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION
THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY AND TECHNOLOGY
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20560
June 10, 1976
Suggestions for Mr. Ripley's Remarks - First Ladies Hall, June 24, 1976
The addition of a new gown to our Collection of Dresses of the
First Ladies of the White House is a memorable occasion for the Museum
and for the millions of Americans who treasure this collection above all
other costumes collections. Today, Mrs. Ford will continue a tradition
begun in 1912 when the then presiding First Lady, Mrs. William Howard Taft,
graciously presented to the Museum one of her gowns. It was the first
for exhibition which was hopefully planned to include dresses worn by
every First Lady of the White House. Mrs. Taft's interest in the project
and her generosity were instrumental in accomplishing this objective.
In a very few years, dresses representing all the former First Ladies
were received for the Collection and from the time of Mrs. Taft to the
present, each First Lady has generously given a gown to continue the
Collection. With today's addition, the Collection represents every
administration from President George Washington to President Gerald Ford.
As bicentennial visitors pour into the Museum of History and Technology,
the exhibit to which they most often ask to be directed is the First Ladies
Hall. They come not only to admire the handsome gowns, they come because
these gowns symbolize for them the women who wore them. It is the women
who give life to the Collection. For students of American Costume, the
CONTINUED
-2-
gowns are an interesting panorama of fashion, but to many who have no more
than a passing interest in fashion, the Collection seems to provide an
intimate acquaintance with each lady represented. And the gown of the
reigning First Lady is always the most popular dress in the Collection.
It is on behalf of these people as well as the Smithsonian Institution
that today I say thank you, Mrs. Ford for your addition to this Collection.
MBK1apthor:wco:6/10/76
MRS. FORD'S REMARKS
BALL GOWN PRESENTATION
SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE
June 24, 1976
MR. RIPLEY,
I.
I'M DELIGHTED TO HAVE
ONE OF MY FAVORITE DRESSES
IN THIS VERY SPECIAL COLLECTION.
WHEN I BROUGHT VISITORS TO THIS HALL,
NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS
DID I EXPECT TO EVER BE HERE MYSELF.
I'VE OFTEN HEARD CHILDREN IN THE HALL
2.
POINT AND ASK: WHO IS THAT LADY?
SURELY, THE ANSWER ISN'T BETTY FORD.
IT'S GOING TO TAKE A WHILE
3.
TO GET USED TO THE IDEA
I COULD COME OVER TO THE SMITHSONIAN
AND SEE MYSELF.
BUT LET'S FACE IT,
I CAN'T HELP BUT BE THRILLED.
4.
LIKE so MANY AMERICANS,
I'VE BEEN EDUCATED AND ENTERTAINED
BY THE MANY WONDERS OF THE SMITHSONIAN.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THANKS
TO ALL WHO WORK so HARD
TO KEEP THE SMITHSONIAN
SUCH A FASCINATING AND GROWING TREASURE HOUSE.
YOU REALLY ARE DOING A FABULOUS JOB,
5.
AND I'M VERY HONORED TO BECOME
PART OF THE INSTITUTE.
# # #