Former first lady Ida McKinley’s dresses to be restored

Former first lady Ida McKinley’s dresses to be restored

Associated Press

CANTON, Ohio

The 19th century dresses of first lady Ida McKinley are undergoing a thorough cleaning in Ohio, and detailed embroidery and beading have complicated the work.

The work is under way at Canton’s William McKinley Presidential Library & Museum. The museum has 20 dresses authenticated as having been worn by the president’s wife.

McKinley was born in Niles and has a museum there as well.

The museum’s auxiliary is involved in a long-term project to raise funds to restore and preserve the dresses. That work will cost an estimated $5,000 per dress. The cost of restoration is partly due to the numerous embellishments and delicate silk fabric.

The McKinleys lived for many years in Canton. William McKinley served as congressman and Ohio governor before his election as president. He was assassinated in 1901 in Buffalo, N.Y.