Madison Collection

Icon. Fashionista. Heroine. Guilford County native, and the only First Lady born in North Carolina, Dolley Madison is one of the area’s most celebrated daughters.

As the wife of a prominent Virginia planter and United States President, Dolley’s life was characterized by long periods of prosperity. Surprising to many, however, are the financial circumstances that she faced in the last decade of her life. As a result many personal belongings were sold at auction after her death.

A beautiful peach colored silk gown was donated in 1950 by Mrs. Elma M. Arthur, Dolley’s great, great niece and the great granddaughter of Dolley’s youngest sister, Mary Payne Jackson. The empire style gown, passed down through the Payne family, was the first item to form the collection.

The Dolley Madison Memorial Association purchased a collection in 1960 and donated it to the museum in 1963.

Personal items used at the Madison’s home, Montpelier, came from descendants of James Madison in the mid 1970s.

As Dolley continues to be honored the museum adds contemporary items, including a postage stamp in 1980 and a silver dollar minted in 1999.