First Ladies Makes Grand Entrance in Dallas
by Heather Foster

11/20/04

Dallas, Texas—Approximately 250 visitors attended the much-anticipated opening of First Ladies: Political Role and Public Image at The Women's Museum: An Institute for the Future. Lynda Johnson Robb, Lady Bird Johnson's daughter and former first lady of Virginia, cut the inaugural ribbon to officially kick off the event and open the display to the public. Among the first visitors to the First Ladies exhibition was a group of civic-minded Brownies and Girl Scouts who were lucky enough to receive a personal tour earlier in the week from National Museum of American History (NMAH) curator Lisa Kathleen Graddy. She and her colleagues at both NMAH and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) have worked feverishly for two years to put the rich collection of first lady artifacts on the road for a whole new audience to absorb and enjoy.

Nearly 150 history-laden objects, each with incredible stories to tell, are included in the traveling version of the popular Smithsonian exhibition, still on display at NMAH. Of course, this array of priceless objects required extra attention from SITES registrar Ruth Trevarrow who recalled how her team took great care in planning the artifact mounts and packing each object. While most people's hands would shake uncontrollably as they pondered the significance of the artifacts in their grasp, Trevarrow was (as always) cool and collected. "It all went together very smoothly," she said with obvious pride in her voice, "like a ballet."

For SITES project director Lawrence Hyman, the exhibition offered both challenges and rewards. As the exhibit text clearly reveals, first ladies are inextricably linked to their husbands, and by default, to their husband's party affiliations. Hyman pointed out that exhibition curators "were careful to approach the show from a politically neutral standpoint; the team always needed to bear in mind that the subject matter [had] inherent political implications." It is no surprise, therefore, that the exhibition highlights the achievements of first ladies from both major political parties. While it may have been a difficult to remain politically detached, the rewards were well worth that challenge. Hyman recalled how much he "enjoyed having the opportunity to work with rare historical artifacts" and to learn about "the stories behind our first ladies'
varied lives and personalities . . ."

It was fitting for all that the exhibition began its seven-city run in Texas, home to three of America's presidents—Lyndon Baines Johnson, George H.W. Bush, and George W. Bush. The presentation's arrival in Dallas also happened to fall on the heels of both the 2004 presidential election, which resulted in a second term for Texan George W. Bush, and the 41st anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, which took place as Kennedy rode through the streets of Dallas.

The heightened interest in these historical events and the obvious fascination with America's first ladies created quite a publicity buzz for the exhibition in the Lone Star State. Three regional television stations covered the opening: KTVT, a CBS affiliate; KDFW, a Fox station; and NBC 5. Ten media outlets, including the Associated Press and USA Today, also ran stories about the Smithsonian exhibit.

SITES public relations coordinator Yvette Blair attributed the success of the
opening in Dallas to the popularity of Texas native Laura Bush, whose flashy, red sequin dress, worn during a dinner with Mexican President Vincente Fox, was lent by the White House for this one-time showing at the Women's Museum.

Of course, it didn't hurt that the exhibition's project director and chief curator were on hand weeks before the opening, giving in-depth interviews to local radio stations and raising awareness about this and other Smithsonian projects. Whether you're an ardent Republican, a passionate Democrat, or haven't voted since 1972, First Ladies: Politcal Role and Public Image is an exhibition that is worth a visit!

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