"Wedding Dresses Through The Decades" exhibit opened Sunday and continues through March 2nd at Oaklands Historic House Museum at 900 N. Maney Avenue.  The Maney Hall galleries are open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 each morning until 4:00 in the afternoon, as well as 1:00 to 4:00 Sunday afternoons. Admission is $5 per person. 

Oaklands Educational Director Mary Beth Nevills told WGNS News . . .

Step back to yesterday and see the common threads that weave together the lives of women through the decades in middle Tennessee and across the country.   Enjoy traveling in time from the brocade and silk of the mid-1800’s to the stories and suits of the wartime brides in the 1940’s at the “Wedding Dresses Through the Decades” exhibit at Oaklands Historic House Museum presented in partnership with the Human Sciences Department of Middle Tennessee State University.

(above photos) Marilyn Hood (L) and her husband John stand beside the portion of the exhibit that represents their marriage of the 50's. (Center) Aurelia Holden stands beside the wedding dress worn by her grandmother, Aurelia Lillian Whitefield Butler, in 1902. (Right) Lee Ann Severy Walker stands beside a photo of her mother, Sara Baggott Severy, and her 1941 gown is displayed on the wall. 

“These treasured garments reveal stories and secrets of the past,” said Nila Gober, curator of Oaklands. “We look forward to sharing the hidden collections of Oaklands and others in the community with you.”

Witness the changes in fashion from different areas, eras and cultures as we transcend time to the modern day bride. Families will hear stories from the brides that wore the elegant dresses as well as gain an insight into the preservation and care of the precious garments. 

“Wedding Dresses Through the Decades” is sponsored in part by A Special Touch, Julia’s Homestyle Bakery, Rion Flower Shop and Street Tuxedo. For more information contact Oaklands at (615) 893-0022 or email info@oaklandsmuseum.org.