Wedding Dresses
Oaklands Historic House Museum is proud to announce an award from the Tennessee Association of Museums (TAM) for the “Wedding Dresses Through the Decades” exhibit. The Museum Excellence Awards were presented to museums statewide for exceptional projects and events during 2013.
The 2013 “Wedding Dresses Through the Decades” exhibit featured over sixty garments from ladies in our community which shared, not only special stories of their day, but also the events and dynamics taking place in Murfreesboro and throughout the country. Exploring this exhibit, visitors recognize the surnames of brides, churches where the bride’s married and local department stores where gowns were purchased. These familiar details have brought back memories of a smaller, simpler community that can then be passed down through the generations. Oaklands Historic House Museum has a mission that includes interpretation of two centuries of the rich history of the site and region, and to provide dynamic educational experiences for diverse audiences.
The purpose of the Excellence Awards is to recognize, encourage, and promote excellence within the activities of the Tennessee museum community. Nominations are made by museum staff and individuals and sent in January to the regional representative. Each entry is presented to the TAM Awards Committee which is composed of the six regional representatives, the committee chair, and two other at-large members. The committee makes the final judging and decisions of awards. Awards are based on creativity, originality, resourcefulness, success, support of museum mission statement, and utilization of staff and volunteers.
“We are very proud of the exhibitions, events and educational programming that our Tennessee museums are producing,” commented Adam Alfrey, Curator of Exhibitions at the East Tennessee History Center, who serves as the current TAM president. “Our state is fortunate to have so many excellent museums and historic sites that are committed to providing exceptional presentations for visitors to enjoy.”
“Wedding Dresses Through the Decades” 2015, will be on exhibit at Oaklands Historic House Museum beginning in January of 2015, in the museum’s elegant Maney Reception Hall. To consider including your special dress, gown, or suit for exhibit you may contact Mary Beth Nevills, educational director at Oaklands (615) 893-0022 or email mb@oaklandsmuseum.org .
