Images(2)

Dress

Date1837-1843

OriginAmerica, Virginia, King and Queen County

MediumSilk, cotton, iron, brass

DimensionsChest: 20 inches Overall Length: 20 inches

Credit LineGift of The Valentine Museum, Richmond, VA

Object number2022-118

DescriptionA white grounded multicolored floral brocaded textile probably dating to the 1770s or 1780s, remade into a child’s dress in the late 1830s. The center front of the bodice is seamed down the center front with applied rows of pleats at the chest. Two distinct curving living from a previous gown are seen curving away from the center of the dress. Each sleeve is decorated with a series of three separate bands applied to the sleeves. The dress closes down the center back with hooks and eyes. At the waist the petticoat is attached to a cotton band and stitched to the interior lining of the dress bodice. The hem of the dress has a very deep self-facing and a narrow bias cut self-trim about one and one half inches above the lower hem.

Construction History:
Initial Construction: Fabric is from a gown dating to the 1770s - 1780s
1837-1843: The fabric from the earlier gown was cut apart and made into this dress.
Label TextThis girls dress is a wonderful example of reuse of textiles. The fabric of the gown dates to the 1770s or 1780s, but yet it is in the style of the late 1830s. This gown was worn by Maria Louisa Todd (1837-1843) from King and Queen County, Virginia. The fabric of the gown probably came from one of her grandmothers and the dress saved due to her young death at only six years old.
ProvenanceThis garment was donated to The Valentine Museum in 1950 from Mrs. Mary Garland Todd (1891-1986) of King and Queen County, Virginia. The dress was worn by her great aunt Maria Louisa Todd (1837-1843).

Donor: Mary Garland Todd (1891-1896)
Father: Robert Boyd Todd (1856-1910)
Grandfather: Marius Pendleton Todd (1832-1866)
Great Grandfather: Dr. William Bernard Todd (1809-1855) who married Julia Robins (1817-1900) and had a daughter and wearer of the dress Maria Louisa Todd (1837-1843)