Former first lady Nancy Reagans evening dress has just joined the Donald W. Reynolds Museums exhibition of “Setting the President’s Table: American Presidential China from the Robert L. McNeil, Jr. Collection” at Historic Mount Vernon. The dress will be on display through January 21, 2009.
Mrs. Reagans gown, designed by James Galanos, is a dark-yellow organza two-piece evening gown that includes a yellow snakeskin belt. The outfit was worn by the first lady on two occasions during her husbands presidency: at the 1986 Negro College Fund Dinner and the 1988 State Dinner for President Evren of Turkey.
The exhibition showcases over 100 pieces of porcelain from the McNeil Americana Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, considered to be the finest collection of its kind outside of the White House.
In conjunction with this special exhibition, visitors to Mount Vernon will have a chance every day through August 31 to win a piece of porcelain featuring the Martha Washington States pattern!
A retail value of $45, this popular reproduction comes boxed with a recipe from the Washingtons and certificate of authenticity. A grand prize winner will receive a $750 entertainment set drawn on August 31 and courtesy of Woodmere China. Drawings occur daily at 3 p.m. in the Shops at Mount Vernon. No purchase is required, and visitors do not have to be present to win.
Admission to the Donald W. Reynolds Museum is included in Mount Vernon Estate admission: $13 for adults, $6 for youth ages 6-11, and free for children five and under.
