Notes from the Museums: Vintage Wedding Dresses

There’s something about a wedding dress that makes it interesting no matter who the bride was. There are three beautiful, unique wedding gowns now on exhibit at the May-Stringer House. The gorgeous lace, dress that Mrs. Ezzo wore on June 3, 1937 is special because her veil is also on display. Veils are much more fragile and don’t often survive. On August 20, 1949, Dorothy Ames Robbins wore a dress of tulle, lace and a creamy underskirt of satin. Dorothy’s mother made the dress for her.
The newest addition to the wedding dress collection is from June 7, 1951 when Charlotte Wernicke married Doyle Lee in Spring Lake, Florida. It is said theirs was the first wedding in the then brand new Methodist Church. After a trip to Pronto Cleaners, to freshen it up after nearly 75 years in a cedar chest, the dress looks like it could take another trip down the aisle!Photos of Mr. and Mrs. Lee show just how lovely the bride was in her satin gown on that early summer day. The dresses will be on exhibit through the end of August.