Museum corner november 2020

Hostesses of the White House fashion show…

By Becky Buher, published in the Times-Mail newspaper, Nov. 3, 2020

A charming Presidential First Ladies doll collection has been on display through this presidential election season. Lois Wiley conceived of and created the “Hostesses of the White House” collection many years ago.

Her daughter, Ruth Godsey, of Fayetteville donated the collection in 2013, and it was displayed that year in honor of President’s Day. Lois liked to stay busy, and she loved to crochet. When Ruth was a child, Lois created storybook dolls for her and also crocheted tablecloths and doilies.

Lois found the idea for creating the hostess collection in a magazine. Most likely, it was “Workbasket Magazine,” which was published for 60 years and was used by many creative homemakers. 

The White House hostess was usually the president’s spouse, the First Lady, but when a spouse was unavailable, the president chose someone to serve as official hostess. Often it was a relative of the president, but once it was a future First Lady, which was the case when Thomas Jefferson called upon both his daughter, Martha Washington Jefferson Randolph, and also the future First Lady, Dolley Madison.

Lois lovingly recreated miniatures of each dress, crocheting an artistic rendering of each gown. If she didn’t already have the correct crochet thread, she ordered just the right color from the Lee Wards catalog. When completed, she placed the dresses on 8-inch dolls.

The collection begins with Martha Washington. When George Washington was elected president in 1789, Martha Washington was fifty-eight years old. She would not actually have been called the First Lady, since that term had not yet been coined. She filled the role as presidential hostess with dignity. She presided over weekly receptions located at the temporary seat of government in New York City. She was Washington’s helpmate when the seat of government moved to Philadelphia. Martha did have style, and on average, the Washingtons each spent between $600 and $800 a year on clothing. Lois created Martha Washington’s outfit by crocheting a pink dress with a white shawl.

The last gown Lois completed was of First Lady Barbara Bush. For the 1989 inauguration of our forty-first president, George Herbert Walker Bush, Mrs. Bush chose a sapphire blue velvet and satin gown by designer Arnold Scaasi.

Lois broke her hip and was unable to continue the hostess project. She died March 6, 1997, in Monroe County. She was a homemaker, a member of the Fairview United Methodist Church, member and past president of Pleasant Hour Home Demonstration Club and Monroe County United Ministries. She was an honorary member of the Monroe County Fair Board, and a member of the Monroe County Red Cross where she taught first aid. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and the Social Order of the Beauceant. She was indeed a busy woman, and you will enjoy her creations.

But wait, there’s more! Rowena Cross-Najafi has generously used her crocheting skills to update the collection. It now includes Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.

The idea for the “Hostesses of the White House” collection may have come from the “Workbasket Magazine,” but researching the dresses, interpreting and crocheting them without a pattern requires lots of time and special talent. Thanks to Lois Wiley for creating it and to Rowena Cross-Najafi for updating this enjoyable and relevant collection.

The hope is that future presidential First Ladies can be added as future presidents are elected, and the collection will remain current in the years ahead.

The exhibit is located in the hallway near the front desk. A booklet describing each of the First Ladies and pictures of their inaugural gowns can be reviewed nearby.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! Temporary closing

We are sad to report that a member of the museum staff has tested positive for COVID-19. The museum will be closed until Tuesday, November 17 to allow our staff to quarantine and to make time for deep cleaning. We are very sorry for the inconvenience, and for everyone affected by this awful pandemic.

Thank you all for your support and understanding in this difficult time.