Dress
Dress
Dress

Dress

Object number2012.74.3
Designer
Datec. 1945
OriginNew York, NY
OriginThe Hague, Netherlands
Mediumwool; acrylic; cotton
Credit LineGift of Ina Mae Smithley
DescriptionLong-sleeved wool dress. Blue, green, and red plaid. Dress wraps around body and is brought around front, creating a slit.Skirt bottom and sleeve cuffed with multicolored cotton with olive branches pattern. Front top had V-neck with ties. Multiple quilted fabric decorates neck and chest area.Dimensions45.5 x 8 x 27 in. (115.6 x 20.3 x 68.6 cm)
MarksLabel in collar has black embroidery, "Koos van den Akker / New York / den haag"

Tags attached to right side of label: "S" and " WOOL & ACRYLIC / WITH ASSORTED / ORNAMENTATION / DRY CLEAN ONLY".
Historical NotesDress worn by Willeen Benedum, and later given to donor Ina Mae Smithley, her nurse. Ina Mae Smithley was a nurse for Paul and Willeen Benedum in their later years. She started in the fall of 1974 as a nurse for Paul, he passed away a few years later and she stayed on as a nurse for Willeen until her death in 1986. The Benedums owned a home, Butterfly Farm, in Ligonier and the donor believes they contacted her to be their nurse after hearing about her from other Rolling Rock members. The Benedums spent the summer in Ligonier and wintered in Florida. Ina was their summer nurse and accompanied them on the trip south on their yacht Willeen IV. She subsequently went on many trips south with them either on the yacht, via motor-home and later by plane. The dresses were all worn by Willeen, but given as a gift to Ina because Willeen could no longer wear them by the 1970s. The uniform was worn by Ina when performing her nursing duties in their home, but she did not wear the uniform out in public as the Benedums did not want others to know she was their nurse. The Benedums were a prominent Pittsburgh family who became rich through the oil business. Michael Benedum (1869-1959) was the first to come to Pittsburgh and he made the family money through his wildcatting operations. He also was a known philanthropist and started the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation in honor of his deceased son. Michael Benedum was the uncle of Paul Benedum.
Previous owner (died 1986)
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