Clothes that document family history
Weddings

Black Silk Dress
1861
Gift of Mrs. Fred Plath

This dress, with what is known as a princess-cut top, was the wedding dress of Mrs. McMechan, the grandmother of the donor. A hat, instead of a bonnet with ribbons under the chin, was probably worn at the wedding. However, this dress is a good example of a garment that could be worn at subsequent special events in the bride's new life. The McMechans, who met and married in North Dakota, came to Yakima by train and brought many of their treasured possessions with them as freight in a boxcar.