When: Thursday, April 16, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM EST

Where: In-person in our Archives and Research building or online via ZOOM.

This is a free event, though donations are greatly appreciated to support our mission and to continue to bring you educational programming.

Woodrow Wilson's second daughter, Jessie, was the thirteenth bride to say her vows at the White House. Her stunning wedding gown and veil have been passed down through her family. They will be featured in this summer's exhibition "Remember the Ladies: Women's Dress and the Experience of American Independence, 1776-2026." Who created these highly-publicized garments, and how were they sold? In this program, guest curator Whitney Robertson will look closely at the bridal ensemble and related primary sources to explore what clothing Jessie and her family chose to buy for the wedding, where and how these pieces were purchased, and what personal and political statements these choices made to the watching nation.

About The Speaker

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 such as 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 and her husband (born in Staunton!) reside in Richmond, VA with their three rambunctious children.