Monday, May 21, 2018

Franklin Historical Museum: The Brides Return in June

The Franklin Historical Museum will open its annual Bridal Gown Exhibit in coordination with this year’s Downtown Partnership’s Strawberry Stroll on Friday, June 8. The museum will open early, at 4:00 PM for this special event.

This year’s exhibit will focus on Franklin brides and their vintage mid-century gowns from our collection. The display will include Emma Velluti’s famous Parachute Dress, a one of a kind original creation of a wartime gown locally designed and hand made from a silk Japanese parachute sent home by her groom, Edward Rabioli, in 1946. The train on this dress is so long, the dress needs a room of its own to be displayed. Also included is the beautiful preserved gown worn by Franklin’s own Stella Jeon. Stella’s daughter donated the dress, still boxed in its preserved state, to the museum after her death. 

The gown had been professionally preserved, as many gowns were in those days. When the carefully wrapped and sealed box was opened, it was the first time anyone had seen the dress in over 60 years and the first time Stella’s daughter had seen it other than in photographs. The dress along with many mementos from Stella and Nick’s wedding day will be showcased together for this display.

The exhibit includes photographs, newspaper clippings, and stories of the brides, their grooms and their special day.

At least a dozen beautiful vintage gowns will be on display in the exhibit that runs through the summer from Friday June 8 through Sunday August 26.

Two special presentations will take place in conjunction with exhibit. 

Why do brides wear white? Does a slice of wedding cake under your pillow bring good luck? Learn all about wedding traditions, superstitions and their origins in Something Borrowed, Something Blue on Sunday July 8

And on Sunday August 12, Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective returns to share clues in how to identify people in family photos. She’ll focus her talk on wedding photos, styles and fashion hints. The Photo Detective’s presentation is sponsored by the Friends of the Franklin Historical Museum. Both presentations begin at 1:15.

The Franklin Historical Museum is located at 80 West Central Street, is wheelchair accessible and is always free.

FHM: wedding dress
wedding dress on exhibit in 2013

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