Dietrich displays Bridal Bliss – Wilkes Barre Times
Dietrich displays Bridal Bliss
To get in the mood for Bridal Bliss, the bridal retrospective show at the Dietrich Theater today, June 26, all are invited to view the Bridal Treasures exhibit in the Earnshaw Gallery.
Ten wedding gowns and dresses dating from 1882 to 1955 will be on display at the Dietrich Theater on June 26.
Ten wedding gowns and dresses are displayed dating from 1882 to 1955.
It is interesting to note that not all of them are the traditional white. In 1889, Ada May Jennings’ dress is dark brown, long sleeved, high necked and elegant in style. It is loaned by Gail James, along with a handwritten wedding invitation.
A 1928 flapper dress of filmy sheer silk was worn by Ruth Marcy, mother of Marcy Pitkin. You can almost hear the Charleston as you gaze upon it.
The oldest wedding gown on display was worn in 1882 by Addie McNair. It is still very white and fresh looking with high neckline and tiny waist. It was given to the Wyoming County Historical Society by Doris Clayton Harter.
On loan from Carol Sherwood is the 1893 gown worn by Elizabeth Stetter Carson, the great grandmother of Maria Sherwood who will be one of the models in Bridal Bliss. The gown has been perfectly preserved along with its under garments, including petticoats and camisole.
Did you know that Lady Wilkins was a resident of Susquehanna County in her later years? In 1929 Suzanne Bennett married George Hubert Wilkins of Australia. He later became a Nautilus Polar Ice Cap exlorer. Lady Wilkins’ white satin gown is displayed in all its elegant simplicity, along with the story of this stunning couple.
Bringing us up to 1955 is the wedding gown of Gail James with yards and yards of beautiful lace. Accompanying the dress are the photo of her husband Don in uniform and the wedding invitation.
Photos of Dietrich Theater weddings are also featured, including one wedding that was performed at the Dietrich, the wedding of Erica Rogler and Omar Camacho. Also, the harbor wedding of Jennifer Jenkins and Scott Douthett is on display as is the wedding of Esther Harmatz’ parents. Also displayed is the Falls wedding of Jessie and John Keker as well as his parents’ wedding. The wedding photo of Alice Haldane West, wife of Alva Tompkins and mother of Margie Young, completes the Dietrich Theater connection.
It is photos of the Mitchell family that bring us up to the 1990s and complete the exhibit. They, along with wedding photos of many brides, including Jane Case Davis, Barbara Benniger Davis, Florence Jackson Greenley and Lavonna Dietrich Daniels, epitomize the beauty of our wedding traditions.
Send Question/Comment to the Publisher
