Dress Ensemble, Martha Mitchell (White House)

Object number1990.013.01

Dateca 1970

MediumJersey, silk, organza, nylon, wire mesh, metal

DimensionsDress: 45 × 34 × 28 1/2 in. (114.3 × 86.4 × 72.4 cm) Purse: 5 1/8 × 8 1/2 × 1 1/8 in. (13 × 21.6 × 2.9 cm) Parasol: 32 3/4 × 28 in. (83.2 × 71.1 cm)

Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection

Terms

DescriptionDress of apricot jersey and white silk organza, the bodice tis rimmed with bands embroidered of French silk ribbon in green, yellow, lavendar and red-sleeves of jersey and silk organza trimmed with the same ribbon. A white satin slip is attached under the skirt. The dress appears to have been hand made. A metal zipper is located on the back.
23.5" long, 28.5" waist, 34.75" bust. Thread has come loose in 4.5" section of hem of slip.

Purse - yellow cloth covered clutch over metal, gold toned frame, clip with rhinestones, gold toned chain handle, lined with black plastic.
8.5" long, 5.13" height, 1.13" depth

Parasol - yellow nylon with white plastic handle and top, metal ribs.
32.75" long, 28" diameter.

Martha Elizabeth Beall Jennings Mitchell (1918-1976) was born on September 2, 1918 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Her second husband, John N. Mitchell, managed Richard Nixon’s 1968 presidential campaign and went on to be appointed attorney general by Nixon in 1969. Throughout Nixon’s presidency, Mitchell was outspoken and shared her views on everything. She also would contact the media to comment on an issue and relay information on the corrupt actives of the Nixon administration. Martha went on to gain recognition for her outspokenness during the Watergate scandal. Martha died on May 31, 1976 in New York City from multiple myeloma. She is buried in Bellwood Cemetery in Pine Bluff. The Martha Beall Mitchell Home and Museum is located in Pine Bluff and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.

Status

Not on view

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