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Today in Smithsonian History: November 5, 1954

First Lady Mrs. Dwight D. (Mamie) Eisenhower (left), the Queen Mother, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (center), and Secretary Leonard Carmichael looking at a case of the First Ladies Gowns in the Arts and Industries Building, November 5, 1954.

November 5, 1954 The Queen Mother of England, Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, visits the Smithsonian Institution. Accompanied by First Lady Mamie Eisenhower and Smithsonian Secretary Leonard Carmichael, the Queen Mother visits the First Ladies’ Collection, which was then located in the Arts and Industries Building.

Mamie and Ike Eisenhower leaving the Capitol for the inaugural parade, January 20, 1953. (Courtesy Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library)

Mamie Eisenhower wore a pink peau de soie gown embroidered with more than 2,000 rhinestones to the 1953 inaugural balls. The dress was designed by Nettie Rosenstein. Despite urgings to release details of the dress, Mrs. Eisenhower waited until the week before inauguration to reveal descriptions of her sparkling pink gown, along with formal photographs, for the newspapers.

Mamie Eisenhower wore a pink peau de soie gown embroidered with more than 2,000 rhinestones to the 1953 inaugural balls. The dress was designed by Nettie Rosenstein.

Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution Archives and the National Museum of American History