Gorgeous Gowns from Gore

Gore is big on history, and the amazing Museum complexes houses two museums in the one building.  We enjoyed learning all about the illicit manufacture of whisky during the days of prohibition at the Hokonui Moonshine Museum – see our Travel Blog on www.romanyrambler.blogspot.com to read about this. 

I just loved checking out the adjacent Gore Historical Museum and the Genge Costume Gallery in particular.  There’s something about these beautiful colonial gowns, isn’t there?  The ones on display were even more special as each gown was accompanied by a wedding photo.  This silk wedding dress was made by the MacGibbons store in Gore in 1908 for the wedding of Grace Smith to William Crawford.

1908 silk wedding dress

This pretty cream and blue dress was worn by Mrs Whytock who emigrated to New Zealand aboard the “Ben Lomond”.  She married shortly after arriving in September 1863 and settled in the district.

1863 wedding gown brought out from England

Another beautiful old wedding gown, this one from 1876.  This was worn by Mary Shennan of Otago when she married William Thomson.

Wedding gown from 1876

This black lace “Mother of the Bride” gown from 1918 was worn by Mrs Johnston of Gore at the wedding of her daughter Hilda.

Mother of the bride gown from 1918

There was also a cabinet of beautiful lace collars in this gallery. 

These were such lovely clothes from yesteryear and the sort of thing that I just love to gaze at.  They were beautifully displayed in the gallery and the museum is a real credit to the township of Gore.