Discover 250 years of American history through the clothing, craftsmanship, and stories of the women who helped shape our nation.
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum is proud to present Remember the Ladies: Fashion, Freedom, and the Fabric of a Nation, 1776–2026, a special exhibition that explores American history through the clothing women wore and the lives they lived.
Inspired by Abigail Adams' famous 1776 letter urging her husband, John Adams, to "remember the ladies," the exhibition examines how clothing can reveal stories of identity, work, family, freedom, and civic life. From everyday garments to elegant dresses worn for special occasions, each piece offers a window into the experiences of the women who wore them and the changing nation they helped shape.
Guest curated by Whitney Robertson, the exhibition brings together historic garments, textiles, accessories, and personal artifacts spanning two and a half centuries of American history. Representing women of different backgrounds, generations, and experiences, these objects demonstrate how fashion can deepen our understanding of the people behind the past.
To help preserve these remarkable textiles, the exhibition will be presented in two rotations during its 18-month run. The first collection of garments and artifacts will be on view for nine months before a second rotation is installed, giving returning visitors the opportunity to discover an entirely new selection of objects.
Opening during the nation's commemoration of America's 250th anniversary, Remember the Ladies honors the enduring contributions of American women while inviting visitors to reflect on the stories that have too often been overlooked in our nation's history.
Whether you're passionate about fashion, fascinated by history, or simply curious to experience the past from a new perspective, Remember the Ladies offers a compelling journey through the lives, voices, and legacies of the women who helped shape America.
See the Exhibition in Person
The items featured on this webpage represent just a small selection of the remarkable pieces on display in Remember the Ladies. The exhibition includes 11 extraordinary garments, along with textiles, accessories, and personal artifacts.
To experience the full collection—and to see the exquisite craftsmanship, intricate details, and powerful stories behind each garment—we invite you to visit the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum. Every dress has a story to tell, and seeing them in person offers a truly unforgettable glimpse into the lives of the women who wore them.
WEDDING GOWN, 1913
Woodrow and Ellen’s second daughter Jessie Wilson married Francis Sayre on November 25, 1913, making her the thirteenth White House bride. This gown was made for her in New York with material from the same silk mill used for Ellen’s “inaugural” dress, along with handmade lace that was a family heirloom.
“DELPHOS” GOWN, c. 1930
Following Woodrow Wilson's death, Edith Wilson likely purchased this elegant pleated silk gown in the iconic Fortuny "Delphos" style. Inspired by the ancient Greek Charioteer of Delphi, Delphos gowns were celebrated for their flowing silhouette and timeless design, remaining in production from the early 1900s through the 1940s.
BRIDESMAIDS’ HAT, 1913
Eleanor Wilson chose these bridesmaids’ hats for Jessie’s wedding.
DAY DRESS, c. 1856
At the time of Woodrow Wilson’s birth in 1856, three enslaved people lived and worked in his family’s home. The cook might have worn a dress like this lightweight printed gown when serving or in front of guests. Enslaved workers who regularly encountered visitors were often given finer clothing than those who labored more privately, but they were well aware that this was a strategic act on the part of their enslavers to cultivate the image of their household.
EVENING GOWN, 1913
Ellen Axson Wilson, Woodrow Wilson’s first wife, wore this evening gown for her official portrait photograph, having originally ordered it for the canceled 1913 inaugural ball. Made by a New York dressmaker, it is constructed out of silk from a New Jersey mill also used by the Roosevelt women and later for Jessie’s wedding dress.
All images of the gowns and items were captured by Kate Simon - Lifestyle Photography
Plan Your Visit
📍 Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
230 E. Frederick Street
Staunton, VA 24401
🕙 Museum Hours
Open daily, 10:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
🎟 Admission
Remember the Ladies is included with general museum admission.
Whether you're passionate about fashion, history, or discovering stories that deserve to be told, Remember the Ladies offers a fresh perspective on America's past—and the women who helped shape it.
We look forward to welcoming you to the museum!
About the Guest Curator
Whitney Robertson is a fashion historian and museum professional specializing in the interpretation and care of clothing and textiles. She holds an MA in Fashion and Textile Studies: History, Theory, Museum Practice from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she co-curated Sole Desire: The Shoes of Christian Louboutin and completed her graduate thesis on the attire of George Washington. Robertson’s professional experience includes collections care, research, and exhibition work at institutions including The Society of the Cincinnati, Dumbarton House, Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, Hampton University, and the Fredericksburg Area Museum. She has also taught courses in fashion history and textiles at Marymount University and Virginia Commonwealth University and contributed to ABC-CLIO’s Clothing and Fashion: American Fashion from Head to Toe. Robertson resides in Richmond, VA with her family.
