March 2023 Employee Newsletter

Saying Yes to the Dresses

Smith helped them re-create a faithful copy of a green-and-white-checked traveling dress by measuring the size of the prints, the buttons and even the waist. That dress is now on display at the Indiana State Museum, as is a mashup of two different dresses, one floral and one striped, that Johnston found in another collection.

wanting to find some original fashions that Keckly had designed. Smith knew that the Chicago History Museum had an original Keckly dress, “but it doesn’t get out very often because of the potential for damage from light and humidity.”

But she told them, “I happen to know they made a replica for the film ‘Lincoln’ that didn’t end up getting used. But Sally Field was fitted in it and took pictures in it.”

The museum got in touch with Spielberg’s Amblin Hearth Archive, which agreed to lend the dresses.

Meghan Smith, the conservation lab manager for the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, grew up wanting to be a filmmaker like Steven Spielberg.

“Obviously, my life took a different turn –and I’m not mad about that,” she said. Right now, in fact, Smith is exceptionally happy because she had a hand in bringing two dresses created for Spielberg’s 2012 movie “Lincoln” to the Indiana State Museum for our newest exhibition, “Influencing Lincoln.”

The story of the dresses starts in 2011, when Smith was working as the costume and textile collections manager at the Chicago History Museum. Joanna Johnston, the costume designer for the “Lincoln” movie, and her team reached out to Smith to research the Lincoln-era fashions that the museum had in its collection.

Johnston’s intention was to get as close as possible to the original designs that designer Elizabeth Keckly had made for Mary Todd Lincoln, and it worked. Johnston was nominated for her first Oscar for her work on “Lincoln.”

“Keckly was very stylish,” Smith said. “She knew the trends – she set the trends, in some cases. The traveling dress was interesting because it’s got this huge skirt and you would have worn it with a corset. It’s still very much made for comfort. Mary Todd was going to her not just for eveningwear and fashionable dresses but also for daywear and practical garments because she still wanted to look good. The evening dress is more exaggerated – off the shoulder, very classic 1860s look. Lots of lace, lots of frippery, a big, bold pattern. She was doing all those things.”

Fast-forward to last summer, when discussions were ongoing about items to include in the Indiana State Museum’s “Influencing Lincoln” exhibit. Chief Curator and Research Officer Susannah Koerber and Curator of Social History Kisha Tandy, also co-curators of this exhibit, mentioned

The importance of having the dresses in the exhibition goes well beyond aesthetics. The overarching message of the exhibit is that Black people helped influence President Lincoln’s thinking. Keckly, who was Black, was among Mrs. Lincoln’s closest friends. She had Mrs. Lincoln’s ear and, by extension, the president’s, who was wrestling with the issues of slavery and emancipation.

“It’s emblematic of Elizabeth Keckly’s influence in Mary Todd’s life that she was her modiste – her dressmaker,” Smith said. “They were very close. This was Keckly’s entry point into her life, so this represents that interesting pathway. Especially as a woman, that’s an interesting way to affect change.”

And having the dresses from Spielberg’s archives gives visitors more insight into this important relationship.

“This is a big deal for us,” Smith said. “And it’s really cool for me to come full circle with this project.”

“It’s emblematic of Elizabeth Keckly’s influence in Mary Todd’s life that she was her modiste – her dressmaker.”

IN THE NEWS

Our new exhibition “Influencing Lincoln” earned some pixels from WXIN (Channel 59), WTTV (Channel 4) and WBIW, an AM station in Bedford.

“Vintage Vision” continues to be a hit with media, this time with Channel 4

The sign on the second floor of the museum that attempts to answer the question “What is a Hoosier” got noticed in the Indianapolis Star

Hayley Wilson made her television debut on Fox 59 to promote the Pinewood Derby, then followed up with appearances on Channel 4 and WISH (Channel 8).

The Louisville Courier-Journal wrote a lovely, long and thorough story about Lanier Mansion that included a video slideshow of the mansion.

When life hands you fallen tree limbs, turn them into crafts. That’s what Angel Mounds Program Developer Andrew Naugle did. WFIE (Channel 14) has the story Limberlost Swamp Nature Preserve received state designation that provides it with permanent protection, the Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette reported.

Finally, Bicycling Magazine, which gave the Major Taylor exhibition great attention, did so again in a story called “Black Cyclists Who Paved the Way for the Sport and Culture.”

Click on the blue names below to see the news.

WISH-TV reporter Brittany Noble interviewed Director of Interpretation Hayley Wilson about the Pinewood Derby on March 29.

Angel Mounds Program Developer Andrew Naugle talks with WFIE (Channel 14) about a new program.

How long have you worked at the museum?

I started on March 6.

What’s your title and how do you explain your job to someone outside ISMHS?

Chief development officer. I am tasked to create a plan, along with the development team, to find funding for the museum and upcoming projects.

Tell me about your family.

I am married to my college sweetheart (Jon); we are the parents of five children (a handful) – four daughters and one son (our son passed away when he was a baby). We had a black Lab, Justus, and we lost him years ago. One daughter is married, and she and her husband made us grandparents in January. I am one of the few people that I know who had children in three different decades: 80s, 90s and the new millennium.��

When is your birthday?

I am a February baby. As I got older I did not like my birthday being so close to Valentine’s Day. I wanted to spread the gifts out more. Then I thought about those people born on Christmas and I told myself to “get over it.”

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: TANYA HAND

Tanya oversees and leads the fund development strategy for all 12 statewide locations, including raising funds for annual operating support and capital projects.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I love beaches. I would love to visit the top 10 beaches in the world.

Do you come from a small or big family?

I have one sibling, a brother who is nine years younger than me. Therefore, we were both raised like only children.

What’s your favorite song?

Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

How do you spend your free time?

I love spending time with my family, and I like to binge watch television shows.

What is your favorite food or meal?

I love French fries.

What is your favorite movie or TV show?

CBS Sunday Morning. This is one of the best shows on television. You get news, pop culture, history, music and more!

What do you value most in a friend or partner?

Honesty and humor.

What’s your favorite quote or song lyric?

“Service is the rent for being.”

-Marian Wright Edelman

Who was your best teacher in school and why?

Mrs. Babcox because she challenged me to find my voice.

Best piece of advice you’ve ever gotten or given? Breathe.

Who is your celebrity crush? Jon Hand.

NEW TEAM MEMBERS

LISA BUSSE

Development, Vice President

KATHERINE KITE

Development, Director of Corporate Relations

JILLIAN KURTZ

Marketing and Communication, Social Media Manager

LINDSEY LEVINE

T.C. Steele, Intermittent Gardener

REBECCA MCGOVERN

Programs and Education, Engagement Specialist

TYLOR SCHMITT

Development, Database Manager

JENNA SERVIZZI

Programs and Education, Engagement Specialist (intermittent)

MARY SHAW

Museum Store, Sales/Ticket Sales Associate

MARK TOMPARY

Lanier Mansion, Intermittent Gardener

APRIL ANNIVERSARIES

BRAD WINTERS

Maintenance Supervisor & Safety Inspector, 21 years

ERICA MONTGOMERY

Director of Facility Rentals and Retail Operations, 13 years

ERIC TODD

Chief Operating Officer, 11 years

TERRY WILSON

Gene Stratton-Porter, Historic Interpreter, 8 years

CATHY FERREE

President and CEO, 6 years

JEANNE AKINS

Limberlost, Interpreter, 5 years

JORDAN STAATS

Exhibit Designer, 4 years

MELISSA VELASQUEZ

Facility Rentals, 4 years

WES JONES

Director of Construction, 3 years

DEVIN PAYNE

Culbertson Mansion, Site Manager, 3 years

DEREK HUGHES

Lanier Mansion, Interpreter (intermittent), 2 years

KELLY HANNA-CARROLL

Corydon Capitol, Site Manager, 1 year

Dates to remember

Open through June 25

Inspired by the Dunes: Paintings by Frank V. Dudley

Open through Oct. 15

Vintage Vision: Cars of the 1920s

Open through Oct. 29

Influencing Lincoln

April 1

Whitewater Canal and Gene Stratton-Porter reopen for the season

April 6

ISM closes at 5 p.m. for private event

April 7

Good Friday (state holiday)

April 9

Happy Easter (museum and all sites closed)

Open through April 8

Pinewood Derby