Lois lovingly created miniatures of each dress, crocheting an artistic rendering of each gown. 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 and will be updated as new presidents are elected.

The doll collection was donated to the museum by her daughter, Ruth Godsey, of Fayetteville. When Ruth was a child, her mother created story book dolls for her, but Lois also crocheted tablecloths and doilies. Lois liked to stay busy, and she loved to crochet.

Martha Washington

(l-r) Patricia Nixon, Betty ford, Roselyn Carter, Nancy Reagan.

Jacqueline Kennedy

Rowena Cross-Najafi updated the collection to include First Ladies (l-r) Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, Michelle Obama and Melania Trump.