2024-09-11
Step Back in Time at the Historic Saxton-McKinley Home’s Gilded Age Open House
The National First Ladies Library & Museum is excited to announce a one-of-a-kind event that will transport guests back to the elegance of the Gilded Age. On Thursday, October 3, 2024, the historic Saxton-McKinley Home will open its doors for an exclusive open house featuring a rare display of authentic Ida McKinley gowns. This special event is made possible through a partnership with the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum, Ohio History Connection, the Massillon Museum, and Visit Canton.
For this one-night-only, free event, visitors will have the unique opportunity to tour the Saxton-McKinley Home, which has been fully restored to its Victorian splendor. During the tour, visitors will view more than five of Ida McKinley’s authentic, exquisite gowns, including her stunning ball gowns and the gown she wore as the First Lady of Ohio and the United States. These dresses, steeped in historical significance, offer a rare glimpse into the opulent world of the Gilded Age. Due to their delicate nature, some of these gowns will be displayed in their protective archival boxes to ensure their preservation.
In addition to the gown display, the event will feature complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides around the block, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the period’s charm.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with the McKinley Museum, Ohio History Connection, Massillon Museum, and Visit Canton to present this extraordinary event,” said Patty Dowd Schmitz, President & CEO of the National First Ladies Library & Museum. “This partnership allows us to showcase Ida McKinley’s legacy in a way that is both educational and visually captivating, offering our visitors a deeper connection to the history of the Gilded Age.”
This free event is an ideal outing for history enthusiasts, fashion lovers, children and families, and anyone interested in the stories of America’s First Ladies. The Saxton-McKinley Home, a significant historical site in Downtown Canton, provides the perfect backdrop for this evening of exploration and discovery.
Event Details:
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Date: Thursday, October 3, 2024
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Time: 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
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Location: Saxton-McKinley Home, 331 Market Ave S, Canton, OH 44702
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Admission: Free
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Parking: Free parking is available next to the historic Saxton-McKinley House.
The National First Ladies Library & Museum invites you to step back in time and experience the elegance of the Gilded Age. Whether you’re an Ohio resident or visiting from out of town, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the past in a meaningful way.
About the National First Ladies Library & Museum
We preserve, promote, and educate about the significant role and contributions of our nation’s First Ladies, inspiring young leaders by telling the story of American history uniquely through the eyes of women.
The National First Ladies Library & Museum was founded in Canton, Ohio, in 1995 by Mary Regula, wife of former U.S. Representative Ralph Regula. It is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to preserve, promote and educate about the significant role of First Ladies of the U.S. and their contributions throughout history. We aim to inspire young leaders by telling the story of American history uniquely through the eyes of the women who served alongside their presidential husbands. The organization operates and manages the First Ladies National Historic Site in a partnership agreement with the National Park Service. In 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a bill establishing the First Ladies National Historic Site in Canton as the 380th unit of the National Park Service. The site consists of the Ida Saxton McKinley House, the family home of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley and the longtime residence of President William and Ida McKinley, as well as First Ladies Park and the National First Ladies Library & Museum (Visitors Center), which includes exhibit space, a Victorian theatre, a research library, conference and seminar rooms, archival storage and processing rooms, and administrative offices. We preserve, promote, and educate about the significant role and contributions of our nation’s First Ladies, inspiring young leaders by telling the story of American history uniquely through the eyes of women.