19. 1895 Wedding Dress of Isabel Miller Board · For Better and For Worse

ID#: IP2012001
Date: 1895
Region: Hardinsburg, Kentucky, USA
Culture: American
on loan from Isabel Plambeck (Vassar class of 1962)

This dress was worn by Isabel Miller Board, grandmother of Isabel Plambeck (Vassar class of 1962) and Mary Agnes Norman (Vassar class of 1959) and mother of Isabel Board Foshee (Vassar class of 1931), for her wedding to Milton Board in Hardinsburg, Kentucky in 1895.

A white wedding dress worn only for the wedding was more rare in the 19th century and early 20th century. It was much more common for a woman to wear a formal dress that she could wear again as a best dress for other occasions. This dress exemplifies that idea, though it is in such good shape that it is unclear whether or not she actually wore it again.

- Arden Kirkland (Vassar class of 1993)

Two piece dress of tan brocade with light blue accents and satin ribbon of light blue and brown; hourglass silhouette. Bodice (a) is boned; band collar closes at center back with metal hooks and eyes; leg o'mutton sleeves; four back princess seams, two side seams, fitted panels on each side with brown stain ribbon in v-shape on bodice front and back, center front gathered panels closing over separate fitted lining with metal hook and eye closures; bows at center front and center back waist, wrists, shoulders, and neck; natural straight waist; twisted edging of brocade and brown stain at waist; dress shields in both sleeves. Skirt (b) is gored with pleated back; floor-length; hook and eye closures at center back; bows of light blue and brown ribbons at front left.

view at full size

The photograph of Isabel Miller and Milton Board (below left) may have been taken to celebrate their engagement, or shortly after their wedding.

The photograph of Isabel Miller Board Foshee (Vassar class of 1931) and Clyde Hobson Foshee, MD (below right) was taken at their wedding on June 6, 1936. Isabel was daughter of Isabel Miller Board and the mother of Isabel Plambeck (Vassar class of 1962) and Mary Agnes Norman (Vassar class of 1959).

Dress and photographs courtesy of Isabel Plambeck (Vassar class of 1962)

A photograph of Isabel Miller Board, grandmother of Isabel Plambeck (VC class of 1962) and Mary Agnes Norman (VC class of 1959) and mother of Isabel Board Foshee (VC class of 1931), with her husband Dr. Milton Board. They were married in Hardinsburg, Kentucky in 1895. This photograph may have been taken to celebrate their engagement, or shortly after their wedding.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
The back of the copy of the photograph reads "Dr. and Mrs. Milton Board (Isabel Miller) / Bride and groom! / Hardinsburg, Ky. 1895" then their is an address label in the middle from the donor, Isabel F. Plambeck, Vassar Class of 1962, then "Their engagement picture? / She wore this dress after the wedding? We don't know?"

A photograph of Isabel Miller Board Foshee (VC class of 1931) and Clyde Hobson Foshee, MD, at their wedding on June 6, 1936. Isabel was the mother of Isabel Plambeck (VC class of 1962) and Mary Agnes Norman (VC class of 1959).<br /><br />
<br /><br />
The back of the copy of the photograph reads "PLAMBECK" (written sideways), "Wedding day of / Isabel Miller Board / Vassar, Class of 1931 / in Louisville, Kentucky / Property of:" with an address label from the donor, Isabel F. Plambeck, Vassar Class of 1962.