Images(6)

Dress, Wedding

Object number2018.34.1 a,b

Retailer Harts Department Store

Date1974

OriginUnited States of America

MediumFabric; Satin; Lace; Crepeline; Metal; Plastic

Credit LineGift of Mary Strezeski

DescriptionCream-colored crepe-backed satin wedding dress with Alençon lace. Empire-waist. Floral lace bib on front and back of bodice with white edge trim around bib and forming high neck collar; triangular keyhole opening down front of chest. Zipper down back with hook-and-eye fastener at top and single fabric-covered button at base. Long sleeves with flounce cuffs that feature lace around wrist and edge trim at opening. Reverse of skirt has numerous pleats leading to chapel train. Base of dress and train have white edge trim. Cathedral-length mantilla is constructed of white netting with floral Alençon lace details and white edge trim around the perimeter. Headpiece has white floral lace with internal headband and plastic hair comb.DimensionsHeight x Width (a - width at shoulders): 82 x 16.5 in. (208.3 x 41.9 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b - width at headpiece): 90.5 x 8.5 x 5 in. (229.9 x 21.6 x 12.7 cm)
Marks(a)
Two tags inside dress at proper left side of zipper at base.:
One tag has black text "C11 / DRY CLEAN ONLY";
One tag has text "[union label] / BDMP / INT. LADIES GARMENT / WORKERS UNION / UNION / MADE / ILGWU / AFL-CIO / Made in U.S.A."
Historical NotesWedding dress and veil worn by Mary Demharter for her wedding to John Strezeski on November 16, 1974. Mary Demharter met John Strezeski in 11th grade at Highlands High School in Natrona Heights when they were 16 in 1969. They were both born and raised in Natrona Heights. She claims he gave her a ride home from school one day and they began to date. They were engaged Christmas Eve of 1973 and married on November 16, 1974. She went to New Kensington to buy her dress at Harts Department Store, which is where most people went to buy gowns from her area in the 1970s. Harts had three stores in the area at the time, but only the New Kensington location sold wedding gowns. The other big dress shop in town was called The Ritz, but it sold more prom styles. She liked the empire waist style of the dress. They were both starting new jobs so they did not go on a honeymoon. She started as a medical technologist at Allegheny Valley and he started in maintenance at Allegheny Ludlum, they both retired from these jobs. They were married at St. Johns in Natrona Heights, which has since burned down.

Related person John Strezeski

Related institution Highlands High School

Related institution Allegheny Valley Hospital

Related institution Allegheny Ludlum Steel Corporation (1938 - 1996)

Related institution St. John's

Subjects