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The Smithsonian First Ladies Collection
Admire the nationally famous collection of first ladies' gowns and learn about the contributions made by the women who wore them The Smithsonian First Ladies Collection is a beautifully illustrated book inspired by one of the most popular attractions at the the first ladies exhibit at the National Museum of American History. This striking book showcases the treasures from first ladies throughout history, ranging from Martha Washington's silk dress and dressing mirror to Michelle Obama's 2009 inaugural gown and jewelry. These and many other unforgettable objects--including gowns, tableware, and invitations from beloved first ladies such as Mamie Eisenhower, Jacqueline Kennedy, Barbara Bush, Hilary Clinton, and more--tell the story of the first ladies as public and private figures. They illustrate how these women, thrust into an influential and visible role by happenstance of marriage, adapted themselves and the role of first lady by taking on responsibilities as campaigners, hostesses, and policy advocates.
The Smithsonian First Ladies Collection features many treasures not on view at the exhibit. Complete with an insider's look at the acquisition, conservation, and exhibition of the pieces as well as a timeline of all forty-six first ladies, this is a must-have for anyone fascinated by these incredible women and their roles in American culture and political life.
The Smithsonian First Ladies Collection features many treasures not on view at the exhibit. Complete with an insider's look at the acquisition, conservation, and exhibition of the pieces as well as a timeline of all forty-six first ladies, this is a must-have for anyone fascinated by these incredible women and their roles in American culture and political life.
112 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 16, 2015
I enjoyed this book. I Bought it this year on my visit to the Smithsonian Institute. I was disappointed that they had excluded 7 First Ladies. The actual exhibit had more information than the book. That too was a bit disappointing but i've always been fascinated by the First Ladies and it's a nice souvenir from my trip seeing the collection in DC
July 17, 2019
This was okay. I was expecting a large coffee table size book; it is more like a souvenir book you might buy at the Smithsonian.
Pros:
-very fun looking at dress styles and to see clothing worn by so many First Ladies
-short biographical account explaining education, projects, and other important information for each woman
-interesting information about the evolution of the exhibit and how the dresses are preserved
Cons:
-quite short
-only one dress photo for many of the women
-I really would’ve liked to see a photo of the First Lady wearing the dress (many are inaugural ball dresses)
Pros:
-very fun looking at dress styles and to see clothing worn by so many First Ladies
-short biographical account explaining education, projects, and other important information for each woman
-interesting information about the evolution of the exhibit and how the dresses are preserved
Cons:
-quite short
-only one dress photo for many of the women
-I really would’ve liked to see a photo of the First Lady wearing the dress (many are inaugural ball dresses)
October 22, 2017
Some interesting facts and artifacts, but mostly an overview and fashion-focused.
May 20, 2014
"Why is there such interest in what the First Ladies wear"? I am one of the millions of visitors that have come to DC to see this exhibit at the Smithsonian. As the author states, clothes are one the most intimate artifacts of history. It is fun to imagine the lady herself standing in from of you especially since many were probably more powerful in the White House than we would think! I loved the color pictures of dresses, china and other fashion artifacts. This was a quick read, but enjoyable.
September 15, 2019
One page and a few photos for each first lady is about right, but the women are presented in reverse chronographical order which doesn’t make for smooth story-telling. It would be best to read this book from back to front.
May 10, 2020
While it was a very interesting - simple - history read, it would have been better from the beginning to the end and not the other way around. There were several references to the previous First Lady but, you never knew in what context because you hadn't read about her and her mannerisms yet.
April 24, 2018
So glad that I splurged and purchased this from Smithsonian The pictures in the book are stunning, and it makes me want to see the exhibit. I'm not sure how I missed it during my visits to the Smithsonian.
While this histories of each first lady are very short, they convey a good deal about the character of each woman and the tone of each White House she oversaw. Most leading ladies were strong and vocal in their advocacy for rites of women, education for children, and fierce loyalty to family.
I was amazed at how many administrations had tragedy, either death of a president /first lady themselves, or death of a child while in office. It also seemed that most past presidents died soon after leaving office, though many wives lived for years more.
I'd like to undertake a project to read a biography of each First Lady. We'll see if I live long enough. But, if I never get the chance to do that, this book is a great introduction to each woman.
While this histories of each first lady are very short, they convey a good deal about the character of each woman and the tone of each White House she oversaw. Most leading ladies were strong and vocal in their advocacy for rites of women, education for children, and fierce loyalty to family.
I was amazed at how many administrations had tragedy, either death of a president /first lady themselves, or death of a child while in office. It also seemed that most past presidents died soon after leaving office, though many wives lived for years more.
I'd like to undertake a project to read a biography of each First Lady. We'll see if I live long enough. But, if I never get the chance to do that, this book is a great introduction to each woman.
September 12, 2024
I purchased this book when I visited the exhibit in Washington,DC. It was quite crowded in the room and I couldn’t read all the information plagues so I figured the book would be nice to read in my own time. I do have some critiques of the book. First, I wish it was in a timeline that was from oldest to newest First Lady instead of newest to oldest. Second, I found a few typing mistakes in the photo references (one saying a plate had a green trim, it was gold and one that repeated the first part of the sentence twice). Third, I wish there was more information about each ladies style influence or designers they liked, ect. The information about each First Lady featured was mostly just born, married, stuff about husband, death. It’s a book featuring dresses, jewelry, shoes, chinaware, ect so that would have been appropriate to add.
October 1, 2024
A very enlightening book featuring dresses and other items belonging to most of the First Ladies. Some ladies were not featured as they may have died, were too ill and had someone else takeover duties for them, or their husbands were not in office long enough for the First Lady to be involved in activities. The beginning of the book focuses on things that were or were not included in the book with rationale, and it also includes information about the delicacy of fabrics - especially the older dresses and the preservation necessary to maintain all garments for future years. The book is an easy read and informative with synopses for each First Lady featured. This book is very well written with no errors in grammar, spelling, or mechanics.
May 7, 2017
When I visited Washington DC a number of years back, I had hoped to see the First Ladies dress display in the Smithsonian. Alas, the wait time to see it was hours long, so I missed that exhibit. However, this book is a nice substitute, even better in some ways since it includes photos of items that are in the collection but not usually on exhibit. The text that accompanies each lady's items is an interesting summary of her life and times. However, the museum doesn't have pieces from some of the earlier first ladies, so there are no summaries written for them - you'd have to look them up elsewhere.
August 3, 2020
This book has two or three paragraphs on each First Lady along with some pictures. I wish they would have talked more about the First Lady instead of her husband. I thought it was going to be about her fashion sense or how she hosted parties or dinners, or what she did that was her "specialty". It hardly mentioned the dresses in the museum exhibit or it just said that she wore it to the inauguration under the picture. Very disappointed with this. I would only recommend this if you want to have pictures of the dresses.
September 4, 2020
I love history and enjoy looking at beautiful old clothes, so I knew I'd enjoy this book. I was a bit disappointed that some of the photos were odd angles that didn't show the whole dress. A side, front, and back view would have been my preference throughout. It was a treat to see jewelry, shoes, etc. Each costume includes a short narrative about the First Lady. Years ago we were privileged to see some of the First Ladies Collection at the Smithsonian and the China Collection at the White House.
March 29, 2018
This was a very interesting overview of the Smithsonian's display and collection about the first ladies. It was nice to see that over the years the Smithsonian has moved from just a display of the gowns the first ladies have worn (although that is interesting to see) but also now includes items and information about causes the first ladies have worked for while they were the First Lady. The pictures are beautiful!
October 24, 2020
The photos of the first ladies dresses were very interesting. I've been reading a lot of trivia books about the first ladies and the presidents recently. This book has information I haven't found in any of the others. A great companion piece.
I am disappointed there are not more details about the non-spouse first ladies especially since the little information in the book does stress these political hostesses are included in the Smithsonian exhibit.
I am disappointed there are not more details about the non-spouse first ladies especially since the little information in the book does stress these political hostesses are included in the Smithsonian exhibit.
September 14, 2020
A short bio of the former First Ladies
Enjoyed this book but would like that it started with Martha Washington and went in chronological order. Nice read and good for a school book report.
Enjoyed this book but would like that it started with Martha Washington and went in chronological order. Nice read and good for a school book report.
June 8, 2019
A trip through our country’s history via considering each of our country’s First Ladies. It was interesting!
March 28, 2020
I enjoyed this and learned more about some of the First Ladies that I didn't know much about. Would have liked more depth and details though. Always more!
November 23, 2020
Interesting. Mostly pictures, has a dress from each first lady and tells a bit about them, and their time in the White House.
October 25, 2022
Purchased after our trip to the Smithsonian museum of American history.
October 29, 2022
Public library copy
Very interesting, but not quite what I wanted for my school library.
Very interesting, but not quite what I wanted for my school library.
February 23, 2022
An informative yet brief history about the First Ladies.
August 26, 2015
If you've been to the Smithsonian National History Museum, you've probably seen the First Ladies' gowns collection. This short book provides an overview of the collection, pictures of the pieces included, and short biographies of the first ladies in question supplemented by the histories of the pieces themselves. It's quick, and it's limited to presidential wives, which leaves out quite a few women who have served as First Lady over the years, but it's a nice overview of the First Ladies of America all the same. Plus, pretty!
July 11, 2016
I purchased this book at the Smithsonian Museum of American History in Washington DC. The First Ladies exhibit was one of my favorites, besides Dorothy's ruby slippers. The exhibit was crowded that day, but I was able to see Obama, Clinton, Carter, Wilson and Kennedy up close. This book gave me an opportunity to compare what I had seen with some historical information that I missed in the hustle of the exhibit. Recommended.
November 2, 2014
Light reading --short biographies of the First Ladies along which photos of their gowns preserved in the Smithsonian collection. Also, interesting behind-the-scenes article about the preservation process for the exhibit.
May 16, 2015
An amazing yet picturesque book containing items and by selected first ladies of the United States of America. Some photos and items can be found in the National First Ladies museum which is located in downtown Canton,;Ohio on Market Avenue South.
July 24, 2018
This book is pretty much a guide to the NMAH First Ladies exhibit. It was interesting to learn a bit more about the history of the exhibit, but there wasn't a lot of additional information about the ladies themselves - just a few extra photographs and political campaign mementos were added.
April 21, 2014
Great pictures and histories of America's First Ladies.
October 9, 2014
Who edited this book?? In my copy 7 of the First Ladies were left outfit the book! However were in the table of contents! A gross oversight.
May 1, 2015
good book about America's first ladies, though it's in opisite order of when they where made first ladies.
August 10, 2016
I loved this book. Though I was disappointed it did not include a dress from each first lady because the author only included those wives who had a political partnership with their husbands.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews