This exhibit examines weddings in the Tri-Cities from the 1880s to the present. The stars of this show are, of course, the dresses worn by brides. This exhibit goes farther, however, to include every detail that makes a wedding complete, such as the suits worn by grooms, accessories, invitations, and even a cake! For some events, such as the wedding of Esther Savidge to Nathaniel Robbins V in 1891, the museum has a significant number of items to display. For others, we have only a certificate or photograph of the celebrants. By highlighting all of these weddings, the exhibit explores changes in the material culture of matrimony through the decades. Examining weddings as cultural events, the exhibit explores important events in the history of Tri-Cities nuptials including notable “firsts” and changes in trends that shaped the ways we celebrate weddings today. The exhibit also highlights the economic importance of weddings to the area, as the Tri-Cities has become an important destination for weddings and honeymoons since the 1880s. By approaching the topic holistically, the exhibition hopes to provide visitors with a comprehensive picture of how weddings have changed in the Tri-Cities from the 1880s to the present.



Old, New, Borrowed, Blue: Weddings in the Tri-Cities
Marriage has historically been considered one of the defining life events for adults in the Western world. To celebrate this important milestone, families in the Tri-Cities spent their hard-earned money on special clothing, food, decorations, invitations, and more. Old, New, Borrowed, Blue will display and explore these types of items in the Museum’s collection.