Orland Park History Museum Wants Your Vintage Wedding Dresses

ORLAND PARK, IL - The Village of Orland Park History Museum is asking residents and history lovers to "say yes" to loaning the dress.

In preparation for a special 2017 wedding exhibit planned for February 2 to March 12, the museum is seeking wedding dresses from the following eras: 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1980, and 1990.

These gowns would be on loan to the museum for the duration of the exhibit and do not have to belong to Orland Park residents.

"The idea came from the responses we've been receiving from visitors coming through the museum's current exhibit. They love seeing the dresses we have on display and have asked if we had more in our collection," said Diane Grah, curator for the village's museum.

"We want to keep people coming back to the museum and this is a fun exhibit to do, especially around February/Valentine's Day and people planning spring weddings."

The museum is also looking for women's bridal accessories such as shoes, gloves, hats, aprons and any other wedding trinkets. In addition, the museum is collecting groom attire, including suits, hats, shoes and gloves.

The wedding exhibit will also feature information on wedding traditions and display photos of weddings throughout the various decades.

"Photographs would be a great addition to the exhibit. Personal stories, as well," Grah added.

Anyone is welcome to donate or loan wedding photos and other unique artifacts and mementos for this six-week exhibit. The museum is accepting donations now until January 8, 2017. Items can be picked up a week after the exhibit closes.

Opened in April 2016, the village's history museum is located in Orland Park's Old Village Hall at 14415 Beacon Ave, Orland Park. The museum is open every Thursday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the second Sunday of the month, noon to 3 p.m. There is no fee for general admission during regular business hours. Volunteer, museum and board memberships are available.

If interested in participating in the wedding exhibit, contact Grah at (708) 873-1622 or via email at dgrah@orlandpark.org.