Dolley Madison

Dolley Madison, 4th First Lady of the United States, custom display featuring a swatch of fabric from one of her personally owed and worn taffeta silk gowns.

Dolley Todd Madison (May 20, 1768 – July 12, 1849) was the wife of James Madison, President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. She was noted for holding Washington social functions in which she invited members of both political parties, essentially spearheading the concept of bipartisan cooperation, albeit before that term was in use, in the United States. While previously, founders such as Thomas Jefferson would only meet with members of one party at a time, and politics could often be a violent affair resulting in physical altercations and even duels, Madison helped to create the idea that members of each party could amicably socialize, network, and negotiate with each other without resulting in violence. By innovating political institutions as the wife of James Madison, Dolley Madison did much to define the role of the President's spouse, known only much later by the title First Lady—a function she had sometimes performed earlier for the widowed Thomas Jefferson. Consequently, she is the only woman to have functioned as U.S. presidential First Lady for two different administrations.

The present silk fabric swatch measures approximately .5 x .5 inchs and has been affixed to an 8 x 10" print.

This display is accompanied by a copy of the original detailed vintage provenance note which reads in full, "Worn by Dollie Madison. Presented by a relative of hers to the Museum." Also accompanied by two copies of informational material relating to the historic Luray Museum.

Provenance: From the Luray Museum of Luray, Virginia.