Texas Woman’s University students and the Denton community can now witness history through more than just a textbook at The First Ladies of Texas Historic Gown Collection exhibit, located on the third floor of the Blagg-Huey Library. The one-of-a-kind display was unveiled as part of TWU’s 125th anniversary celebration on Feb. 19 with remarks from the chancellor and a ribbon cutting, followed by an official exhibit viewing.
“We understand that influence does not always come with a title,” said Chancellor Carine Feyten. “Leadership does not always announce itself loudly… Many women represented in this collection lived in eras when formal leadership was not within reach. Yet, they were near the center of civic life. They witnessed decisions that were made, championed causes, shaped conversations, and contributed to the fabric, in every sense, of our state. That broader narrative is what matters today.”
The collection was curated in the mid-1930s by Marion Day Mullins, who at the time was the state regent of the Texas Society Daughters of the American Revolution (TXDAR). Mullins was inspired by the collection of First Ladies Gowns at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., and decided to create an ensemble of dresses to commemorate the Gubernatorial First Ladies of Texas. The collection was gifted to TWU by TXDAR in the 1950’s and has continued to grow through both collaboration and meticulous preservation.
“The thing that this space really allows [us to show is] that each of the first ladies was so much more. She had issues she was passionate about… and we want to tell those stories as well,” said Kimberly Johnson, senior assistant dean of Special Collections & University Archives. “We want to show where history intersects with fashion and the different dimensions of these women. They were leaders in their own right [and] each of these women was very multifaceted.”
The dresses on display are a combination of donated originals, replicas and period pieces that were previously housed in Woodcock Hall and, most recently, in the bridge that connects the Administration and Conference Tower to Hubbard Hall. By revamping a section of the library for the collection, students and community members will be able to easily access the exhibit and enjoy self-guided tours.
Johnson has played a pivotal role in helping prepare the library to receive the gowns. “While the curation of the exhibit started last year, physically getting that space ready has been a project that we’ve been working on for several years,” Johnson said. With help from multiple other departments, they’ve taken down shelving, replaced carpets, repainted walls, and rewired electrical elements to ensure that the collection is displayed beautifully.
TXDAR Flower Mound Chapter member and TWU alumn Donna Spears attended the ribbon-cutting with fellow members Michele Grafa and Judy Buckingham. After exploring campus, the ladies sat down in the living room of the Blagg-Huey Library to enjoy refreshments and listen to the chancellor’s remarks.
“One of our main goals is historic preservation, and [the exhibit is] a wonderful thing to have here, close by,” said Grafa. “I left a group today, saying, ‘I’m going to go check it out, and then I’ll bring you back to see it.’ So it’s wonderful to be able to bring people here and show them.”
The collection provides a great opportunity for students and Denton community members to see high fashion and the story behind it. By taking these stories from the past and connecting the dots to today, visitors can see that these dresses represent living history. Each of these women were not just a pinpoint in history, but a mark that shaped Texas into what it is today.
“As we celebrate our 125th anniversary year, we reflect on generations of women who have used their education and influence to expand opportunities for those who followed. That legacy continues here every single day, across all campuses,” said Chancellor Feyten. “This exhibition adds another dimension to that legacy. It reminds us that history is not abstract; it is personal, it is embodied, it is lived. Perhaps most importantly, it invited the next generation to ask a simple but powerful question: What will my contribution be?”
Isabella Castillo can be contacted via email at icastillo4@twu.edu
Photo credit Zoey Ortiz
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