The Boone County Extension Homemakers were excited to share a program that originally took place 50 years ago. The Boone County Gleaners Extension Club, for one night only, performed the return of “The First Ladies of the White House 1976 pageant” on May 8th. This performance, celebrated in honor of our country’s Centennial on the BCEH Achievement night where we combined the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The Boone County Gleaners Extension Club took the time to share this special history with our members and community once more.
It was fitting to host this event this year while the Gleaners are celebrating their 65th year as a Boone County Extension Homemakers Club. In attendance was the club’s first president and first lady, Clarabelle Robinson, who was also the creator of the First Ladies of the White House.
The First Ladies of the White House pageant was discussed at the Gleaners Extension meeting in 1976 as a way for them to contribute to the community to celebrate the bicentennial 50 years ago today. Each member chose their First Lady of the United States of America from a book that Clarabelle’s husband, Joe, gifted her and the research of inaugural gowns from displays at the Smithsonian Institute began. All inaugural dresses were handmade by the members, wigs were made using fake fur, beads were purchased and then spray painted to match the colors needed for the dresses, and dress hoops were made from aluminum cabinet edging.
The ladies would travel over 5,800 miles over the State of Indiana, give 68 performances, the total number of audience was estimated to be around 12,000+ people over the course of the performances. A total of 23 appearances were made in Lebanon, Indiana alone. Stages included Lobes theater at Purdue University, Murat Temple in Indianapolis, wagon beds at fairs, Parks, hotel banquet rooms, school auditoriums and classrooms. Their travels would take them to the farthest City North, Lafayette Indiana, the farthest City South, French Lick Indiana, the farthest City East, Greenfield Indiana and the farthest City West, Crawfordsville Indiana. The ladies would come together on July 1st 1990 for another performance during the rededication of the Boone County Courthouse.
In 1976 over $4,200 was raised during their performances, where the ladies donated $2,000 to the Swedish Hospital Medical Center in Washington to benefit Michele Bokash as well as stage drapes for the 4-H Community Building at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds. The Gleaners club members’ ages were mid-20s to mid-40s at the time of the performances, with the oldest practicing First Lady being 94 years old today. Out of the 17 original First Ladies, seven are still active in Gleaners Extension Club, a couple are active in other Extension clubs and four have passed away but never forgotten.
Step back in time, one last time; this year at the Boone County Extension Homemakers 2026 Open Show during the Boone County 4-H Fair starting July 29th through August 1st, where you will find many of the inaugural dresses that were handmade by these members on full display. For more information please visit the Boone County Extension Homemakers website at www.bcehindiana.com or Like and Follow their Facebook page at facebook.com/BCEHindiana.
