By David Humphrey

For The Herald Bulletin

PENDLETON — Many stories have been told about items displayed at the Pendleton Historical Museum. But not quite as interesting as those surrounding a current exhibit.

Through this month, 13 bridal gowns are being showcased on the second floor of the museum at Falls Park. Most gowns are accompanied by wedding albums, newspaper engagement announcements and information on the wedding itself. Three of the gowns come from the same family and date back some 40 years. Jeanette Isbell, her daughter Jennifer Smith and Jennifer’s mother-in-law, Linda (Pettigrew) Smith, have donated their gowns to the exhibit. Seeing the gowns they wore at their weddings brought back fond memories to Jeanette and Jennifer.

“My gown cost around $100,” Isbell said. “I bought it at the Fair Store in downtown Anderson, and when I first saw the gown, I thought it was so expensive.”

“We were married at Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Anderson,” she said. “We didn’t have a lot of money and to keep costs down we had our reception at my mother’s home. Guests brought home-cooked food and we had a very nice time.”

When asked what gown belonged to Isbell, she laughed and replied, “The one with the yellow spot!”

Jennifer Isbell married Neal Smith at the Pendleton Christian Church in September 1991. Her bridal gown was purchased at Flynn's Bridal Shop in Edgewood for $400. American Legion Post 117 in Pendleton was the site of the newlyweds’ reception. One of the highlights of the wedding was a plea written on the bottom of Neal’s shoes reading “Help Me!”

“Someone did the same thing to Neal’s father at his wedding,” Jennifer said. “When we knelt at the altar, people in the church began to laugh. That is what I remember most about our wedding day. We also had a wonderful reception that was quite big.”

In a phone interview, Linda Smith said that her bridal gown cost in the vicinity of $100. Her wedding took place at the Noble Street Methodist Church in June 1967.

And what does she remember the most about her special day?

“It was hotter than Hades,” she said.

One of the older gowns in the exhibit belonged to Virginia Rose Senour, who married Frank DeWitt of Pendleton in 1941. The gown was purchased at L.S. Ayres in Indianapolis and was stored at the DeWitt home after the wedding. However, the wedding keepsake made a second appearance at the altar 39 years later.

On July 26, 1980, Ed and Jo DeWitt were pronounced husband and wife at the First United Methodist Church in Pendleton. The reception took place at the Pelican Restaurant at Lloyd’s Landing in Anderson. Jo DeWitt recalled the events before her summer wedding.

“After Ed and I were engaged,” DeWitt said, “Virginia suggested that I wear her gown at our wedding. She had no daughters and offered me the dress. I was marrying her oldest son and I was thrilled to wear her gown. I had a seamstress put lace in after the glass beads were removed from the neckline. Other than this minor change, the gown was exactly the same as when Virginia wore it at her wedding.”

Though everyone was excited about the upcoming wedding, the day of celebration became a bittersweet event.

“Virginia was stricken ill shortly before the wedding,” DeWitt said, “and she was left in a comatose state. So the wedding was very emotional. I remember how Virginia was worried that I would feel obligated to wear her gown but I wasn’t. I was honored and thrilled to do so. She taught second grade at Pendleton Elementary for over 40 years and was loved by everyone. Virginia was a wonderful lady.”

In a glass case near the bridal gown exhibit are Valentine’s Day cards that Virginia DeWitt collected through the years. Hundreds cards date back to her youth and continue through her years an an elementary teacher.



If you go

Where: Pendleton Historical Museum, Falls Park

What: Bridal display, including gowns, photos, announcements

Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays only