Michelle Obama Presents Inaugural Gown

First Lady Michelle Obama's presentation of her inaugural gown continued an old tradition and at the same time introduced a new museum gallery at the musuem, one focusing on first impressions of First Ladies, at inaugurations or at the beginning of presidencies.

In presenting the gown, Obama said "“When we look at the dress that Jackie Kennedy wore 50 years ago, or the one that Mary Todd Lincoln wore 100 years before that, it takes us beyond the history books and the photographs and helps us understand that history is made by talented people.

She continued, "The dress I donated today, made by Jason Wu, is a masterpiece. It’s simple, it’s elegant and it comes from the brilliant mind of someone who is living the American Dream." The white silk chiffon one-shouldered gown includes organza flowers with Swarovski crystals.

The earliest First Lady in the new gallery, "A First Lady's Debut," is Mamie Eisenhower, and features each first lady in the 50 years since that inauguration.

"The First Ladies at the Smithsonian" gallery was reopened in December 2008, and this new gallery, "A First Lady's Debut," in March 2010, and are both part of the National Museum of American History in Washington, DC, located on the National Mall. The original gallery focused on First Ladies was opened in 1914 and was the first Smithsonian display to feature women so prominently. The First Ladies collection remains one of the most popular exhibits at the Smithsonian.