Smithsonian First Ladies Exhibit - American History TV Extra Clip

www.c-span.org/history This is a bonus 11 minutes from the 30 minute look at the National Museum of American History First Ladies exhibit.

[@sarahkofman1921]

I think positioning these gowns in chronological order would make more sense

[@rosiedebevc1952]

In my opinion Jackie Kennedy dress is absolutely georgeous. My second opinion is Hillary Clinton dress is georgeous

[@CantonGirl1981]

Beautiful dresses on display at the National First Ladies Historic Site in Canton, OH as well! Be sure to check it out 🙂

[@mermaidmersea7113]

When I was there I got see some from my favorites ! Martha Washington, Mary Todd Lincoln, Nancy Reagan, Laura Bush and Helen Taft's dress was divine !

[@markvitale9780]

Jackie's dress was beautiful.

[@homeschoolingsisters538]

I love how this lady was very non partisan in her speech and displays of clothing. It seemed like she saw these women as people who are placed in a rather difficult role. I saw the display about 30 years ago and I still remember many of the details about each dress. Very impactful.

[@suzyfarnham3165]

Jackie didn't wear a yellow dress. She wore a white dress with a matching cape???

[@linnyw1072]

Rosalind Carter's dress was great for the decade and matched her person

[@rosiedebevc1952]

All georgeous dresses

[@jeffreycrippen]

Its a shame that all the gowns are not displayed as they used to be. It was the highlight of the Musuem of American History for years. I think the curator is doing a real disservice to the american public by deciding not to preserve the dresses in a way that allows for public viewing. Typical government decision of our current age.

[@heula1]

It's a matter of preservation. No matter the care involved, displaying anything puts stress on the object. She's not exaggerating when she says that some of the gowns were on display for 100 years. I can only imagine how much more fragile the seams are, how much the fabric itself has deteriorated, and how much they have color faded by being displayed for so long.

[@cheristringer4780]

Jeffrey Crippen have you noticed the effects of light on fabric? Curators are trying to preserve the artifacts for the future.

[@deborahhoffman7394]

Jeffrey Crippen Yes. We wouldn’t want to bore people in this spoiled country.

[@DipityS]

Such a limited, selfish view. I imagine the museum has a finite amount of space to exhibit; and would be constrained by that alone. I'd like to view as many dresses as possible, and the simple expediency of changing out the frocks occasionally would allow for repeated visits. I suppose they could construct some sort of conveyor belt and have hundreds of dresses come by - but the staggering price of such a device would be beyond them. I imagine they work within their budget. It's all very well to want what one wants *now* and without delay, but it would be nice for people to think of the museum's financial capacity and their responsibility to conserve these frocks for future generations. Do try to think of someone else beyond yourself.

[@angelatorcolini4841]

@@DipityS if you think changing out the dresses is “expedient,” then I don’t think you really understand preservation.

[@j.louisv.123]

Michelle Obama; our most glamorous, beautiful and classy First Lady. Wait, the White House is not our house ???? The hell if it's not lady.