The Honor of Your Presence: CCHA's historic wedding exhibit

PLATTSBURGH | From shelves of curated wedding finery, the Clinton County Historical Association has created a tribute to the timeless tenacity of marriage tradition. "The Honor of Your Presence" is an exhibit very much an invitation. Opening night in late July drew a crowd that filled exhibit and reception rooms. Visitors took time, pausing to see beautiful items made with silk, tulle and brocade that date from 1879 to 1969. Across a century, bridal fashion reflects the intricate attention to details that made each date memorable. 'The Honor of Your Presence' was designed by Randi Christodoulou, Susan Coffey and Jan Couture, whose preparations began over a year ago. Historical Association volunteers supported the effort with ongoing work from the Brush Studio Collection of 17,000 glass plates and thousands of portraits of local people. The photographic plates were made by George T. Woodward at his shop in Plattsburgh, a business later purchased and continued by Daniel S. Brush. The oldest dress displayed is a taupe gown from 1879 wrapped with an embossed silk sash. Nine thin pleats line the cuff. The handiwork goes back to a time when dresses were made by hand with tiny stitches. Shirtwaists and lace collars were fastened with hook-and-eyes (hundreds of them). Rich fabrics were layered into long, flowing trains. The latest gown in the exhibit was worn by CCHA Board President Geri Favreau in 1969 at the Church of St. Mary in Champlain on Nov. 22. Favreau kept newspaper clippings, receipts and planning notes, including a fanciful "Wedding Flower Plan" list from the florist. Her selection of bouquets and boutonnieres cost $73.62, which today would be over $6,300. Every wedding has a story, a moment that holds a special note long into the future. Geri recalled the wintry day and making her way bundled in a wedding gown. "I remember it was snowing, and my mother gave me her coat," she smiled. If dresses could talk, the wedding exhibit would hum with excitement. Hundreds of items are arranged to illustrate what has and hasn't changed in 100 years. Wedding design was a long-distance effort at the turn of the century. Since many early tailors were based in New York City, brides here kept correspondence with dressmakers. The brocade dress made for Ada Barnes Reynolds in 1892 is in The Honor of Your Presence along with two glass cabinets of fine accessories and the records she kept of dress cost and planning. A few challenges presented as the exhibit came together, in part due to evolving fashion. Waistlines were slender in the late 1800s. "We couldn't find mannequins, ours wouldn't fit the dresses because the waistlines are so small," Christodoulou said. "Even with expandable mannequins, we couldn't get dresses over the top. We ended up creating our own." THREE GOWNS The centerpiece display on pedestals holds wedding gowns from three generations of one family. The dress worn by Margaret Hopkins Boardman, circa 1914, is beside the one her daughter Margaret Boardman Young wore in 1934, and the gown her granddaughter Miriam Young Braniff wore in 1968. Seeing Margaret Boardman's dress come out of the box was very much like finding treasure, Christodoulou said. The dress is 111 years old. "There are so many dresses and artifacts here," Christodoulou said. "Half of our time preparing the exhibit was spent in sorting through the collection. We spent days lifting heavy boxes and opening them up. "My first time opening the boxes, I was wondering if I could touch the fabrics," the designer said. "Susan lifted Margaret's dress, she was one of the first people to touch it in over 30 years. The energy of opening those boxes was incredible, the dresses seemed so well preserved." Margaret Boardman also preserved an assortment of wedding items. The original marriage announcement, even the knife they used to cut the wedding cake are in the bridal exhibit. "Margaret's items are placed around the room with notes that say 'See her story nearby.' There is almost a complete collection of memorabilia from her wedding," Christodoulou said. The Boardman items were donated to CCHA by Margaret Boardman Young (the younger Margaret) in 1987, one hundred years after her mother was born in Keeseville in 1887. After marrying Evan Boardman in 1914 , she had traveled with him to government posts in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, where their daughter Margaret was born. "The dresses were in separate boxes. It felt so special that they all ended back up with us," Christodoulou said. "It was an honor to open them. I hope the family and all of the brides look down on us and are proud that their items are part of history." The exhibit will be in place for at least a year. The Honor of Your Presence is upstairs at the Clinton County Historical Association and Museum, 98 Ohio Avenue. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, or by appointment: 518-561-0340. Information about CCHA events and presentations are shared via Facebook: facebook.com/ClintonCountyHistoricalAssociation

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The Honor of Your Presence: CCHA's historic wedding exhibit

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