WHETHER YOU’RE A ROMANTIC or an appreciator of fashion and/or history, a closing-in-days exhibit at a southwestern Minnesota museum is a must-see.
On Tuesday, I toured the Lyon County Historical Society Museum in Marshall, including a second floor temporary exhibit, “The Wedding Collection.” Walking among the bridal attire, accessories and wedding photos proved interesting and delightful.
I will never pretend to understand, or even care, much about fashion. But this held my interest as I noted the variety of styles from princess full lacy skirts to sleek and elegant simple satin designs. It was the plain gowns that held the most appeal for me, even though my own wedding dress from 40 years ago featured more lace than suits me now. But it was the style of the early 80s.
In a brief conversation with another museum visitor, also a native to the area but back from Nebraska, we discussed how styles always come back, although the popular strapless gowns were absent from long ago weddings. We agreed that we don’t particularly like that style.
But it really doesn’t matter what I like or don’t like. It is the bride who chooses her perfect dress. And this exhibit showcases the selections of southwestern Minnesota brides through the decades from the museum’s collection and on loan.
The exhibit also includes some bridesmaid’s dresses, suits, accessories and wedding portraits displayed in the small second floor conference room.
I realize most of my readers won’t see this exhibit in person. But if you live near Marshall, I encourage you to peruse the display, which closes at 4 pm Saturday, September 17. It’s been up since June. I saw “The Wedding Collection” as part of an overall tour of the museum, an exceptional museum, in my opinion. I traveled some three hours on Tuesday specifically to see two of my rural-themed poems, included in an impressive “Making Lyon County Home” exhibit on the second floor. Plan on spending hours at the museum with three floors of exhibit space.
Interestingly enough, I last visited Marshall 40 years ago on my May wedding night. Randy and I stayed there before continuing on our way to the Black Hills of South Dakota for our honeymoon. So in many ways, seeing “The Wedding Collection” brought me full circle back to my own wedding. Four decades seem so long ago…
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FYI: I’ll take you back to the museum in Marshall in a future post to show you the exhibits including my poems and much more. Museum hours are 10 am – 4 pm Monday-Friday, noon to 4 pm Saturday and closed on Sunday.
© Copyright 2022 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I’d love to see this exhibit. I love seeing vintage dresses and knowing a bit about their history
If only you lived closer, Beth. I know you would enjoy this exhibit.
What a great exhibit. Looking forward to seeing your poetry exhibit.
This museum simply does an all around great job on its exhibits.
What a fun exhibit. I wish I could go see it in person. Hopefully, it’ll come around again in another place.
Valerie, unfortunately this is just a temporary local exhibit, specific to Lyon County and not a touring exhibit.
Ah, too bad.
Thanks for sharing and loving this exhibit. It amazes me what trends and what comes back around to trend again. How cool is it that you came full circle with this exhibit with your Wedding. When I planned my wedding I gathered pictures of the generations that married before us to place on the cake table. I loved seeing the various styles through the years. We have had a few couples make it 65 years together and both sets of our parents are 50+ years married. Happy Day – Enjoy
Congrats to both sets of your parents on 50+ years together! My eldest daughter did the same at her wedding, featured previous generations of wedding portraits.