25.21.89
Gown, Flower Girl
1949
Yellow Taffeta Flower Girl Dress worn by Mary Gardner. (a) Dress. Material: textile, metal. Size: 13" shoulder to shoulder. 41" L. 144" W. at hemline. Description: yellow taffeta; sleeveless bodice with gathered ruffle around neckline; yellow net inset neckline; wide flared skirt gathered to waistline seam; white crinoline attached underskirt ending in a hemline hoop; back placket closure from neckline to below waistline with 19 self-covered buttons and loops; back waistline yellow taffeta bustle attached with a snap on each side. (b) Slip. Material: textile. Size: 35" L. 50" diameter at hemline. Description: yellow cotton, floor length, sleeveless slip with a 3" hemline ruffle. (c, d) Sleeves. Material: textile. Size: 5" W. x 12". L. Description: yellow taffeta wrist to elbow sleeves worn with sleeveless gowns as an accessory.
The donor, Mary Gardner (Dietz) was the flower girl at the wedding of her Uncle John (Jack) Burton Wolfe (1914-1998), her mother's brother, when he married Catherine Irene Siesseger (1917-1990). Wedding date: 23 Apr 1949, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mary Gardner was 7-1/2 years of age at the time. Donor is the daughter of Harvey and Gayle Wolfe Gardner. Attorney Harvey Gardner practiced law in Janesville, Minnesota from the time he graduated from law school in 1932 until his death in 1972. Gayle Gardner worked at the Gardner Law Office for many years as a tax specialist.