A crab basket lid, hanging on a back door, is adorned with a tulle bow – the first hint that a fishermen’s museum and a vintage wedding display are a perfect match.
“With This Ring,” a heartfelt collection of vintage wedding gowns, accessories, portraits and other memorabilia, has been loaned or donated to the Reedville Fishermen’s Museum for this special display in the traditional wedding month.
Families with connections to Reedville, some going back generations, combed through a treasure trove of heirlooms for the display, which is on view through June 29 during museum open hours.
At last count there are 18 dresses on display, including bridal gowns and bridal party attire. The display is in the Walker House, the original home of the museum. Since 1990 the house has been decorated as a typical family home of the early 20th century. The gowns and accessories look right at home in the inviting space.
This embroidered dress, the oldest on display, was worn in 1902 by Margaret Haynie upon her wedding to William F. Armsworthy.
The oldest wedding dress, dating to 1902, holds pride of place in the dining room. The beautifully embroidered dress was worn by Margaret Haynie on her marriage to William Armsworthy.
Nearby is a coral junior bridesmaid’s dress, worn by Olivia Cockrell, then 9 years old, in her sister’s wedding in 1970. The dress was made by the late Marguerite Walker, the last member of the Walker family to live in the house. She altered and created many outfits for the women of her day.
Mid-20th century wedding cake toppers are displayed on an antique sideboard.
Olivia Cockrell, then age 9, wore this junior bridesmaid dress in her sister’s wedding in 1970. The dress was made by the late Marguerite Walker, the last member of the Walker family to live in the house.
The dining table holds a Miller & Rhoads wedding gift registry book belonging to Maria Elizabeth Biddlecomb, who married Frederick Ray Rogers Jr. in 1953. The couple received dozens of gifts, such as glass pie plates, a milk glass vase, an organdy apron and a white candlewick bedspread.
That wedding almost can be brought to life in the parlor, where her sumptuous gown and bridal party outfits are on display. Her two sisters also wore the gown in their weddings: Johanna May Biddlecomb to Donald B. Shahan in 1956, and Winifred Elaine Biddlecomb to Wilber Beale Delano in 1962.
The flower girl dress worn by Maria and Ray’s daughter, Lou (Louise Rogers Shelton) in her Aunt Winifred’s wedding is nearby, and the little flower basket she carried.
Traditional toppers adorned the wedding cakes of Peggy Ann O’Bier and James Earl Deihl, Maria Elizabeth Biddlecomb and Frederick Ray Rogers Jr., and Elizabeth Brewen and Jack Stem.
In the second-floor sewing room, where Marguerite Walker would have fitted and sewn clothing for the area’s ladies, is a dress worn by Gertrude Blackowicz for her marriage to Edward Durkin in Baltimore in 1941. Many Reedville families have had strong ties to Baltimore because the Chesapeake Bay steamboats were once the village’s lifeline to the bigger world.
Other items throughout the house include formal bridal portraits, bridesmaid’s dresses, wedding china, hand-lettered wedding invitations, hand-embroidered wedding handkerchief, bride dolls, silk wedding bouquet, ring bearer pillow, wedding cards, shoes and gloves.
A bridal gift registry belonged to a museum founding member, Maria Elizabeth Biddlecomb, who married Frederick Ray Rogers Jr. in 1953.
Museum board members LeeAnn Scanlon and Gayle Sterrett gathered, researched and expanded the display, building on an exhibit held many years ago.
The Reedville Fishermen’s Museum is at 504 Main Street in Reedville, Virginia.
“With This Ring” is on display during museum hours through June 29th. Hours are 11am–4pm Thursdays through Saturdays and 1–4pm Sundays. Admission, which includes the Walker House and all other inside and outside exhibits, is $10 for adults, $5 seniors and veterans and free for ages 16 and younger as well as active military members.
For more information: 804-453-6529, office@rfmuseum.org or www.rfmuseum.org.
