Flyer for Doll Collection at the Colorado Capitol Building

Welcome to the Colorado State Capitol and the collection of First Lady Dolls, dressed and maintained by the Colorado Federation of Republican Women.

Each of Colorado's First Ladies is interpreted in a copy of her inaugural gown. In some few instances, where historical records do not describe or picture the actual gown, an example of the era is shown. Thirty eight governor's wives are depicted in the illuminated glass cases. One of our governors (William H. Adams) was a bachelor and therefore has no representation. Some served more than one term and the terms of our early governors were two year instead of the present four years.

From the time of Mrs. William Gilpin (1861), whose husband was first to hold the gubernatorial reins back in Colorado's gold-digging territorial days to the present, the ladies are all there -- 20 inch dolls, beautifully costumed. The hair color on each doll matches that of the First Lady she represents.

Each costume - the special project of Republican Women's Clubs across the state - reflects hours of research and planning, plus infinite patience and talent with fabric and needle. Some gown, such as that worn by Mrs. Frederick W. Pitkin (1879), wife of the second governor after Colorado shed its territory status in favor of statehood - are copied from old photographs.

For the wives of more recent governors, the Republican women were able to copy actual gowns. Some of the wives provided matching material for the doll. For instance, Mrs. McNichols' (1957) blue inaugural ball gown with its bubble skirt is exactly reproduced as are the gowns of Mrs. Love (1961), Mrs. Vanderhoof (1973), Mrs. Lamm (1975) and many others. The gowns provide a visual history of fashion for more than a century.

The project of the dolls was started in 1959 under the chairmanship of Mrs. Edith Mattoon. In that year, Colorado celebrated its "Rush to the Rockies Centennial" and in June the Colorado Federation of Republican Women presented the dolls to the state of Colorado. The collection was originally valued at $1,000. Its value has increased considerably since that time.

The collection is continually and lovingly tended. Currently (1982), the President of the Colorado Federation of Republican Women is Mrs.Joseph (Jeannine) Lincoln of Parker, Colorado. The Chairman of the Centennial Doll Collection is Mrs. Ralph (Jerry) Millie of Cherry Hills, Colorado.