Carlotta Walls LaNier's First Day of School Dress

Object Details

Caption:

Carlotta Walls LaNier was the youngest of the nine students to desegregate Little Rock Central High School in September, 1957. She wore this matching skirt and blouse to the first day of school, which was also the first day she was turned away.

Description:

This outfit was worn by Carlotta Walls LaNier during the "Little Rock Crisis" of 1957 at Little Rock Central High School. The outfit consists of a skirt and blouse in a matching alphabetical print of blue, teal, and white on a black background. The blouse fastens with small black buttons, has a pointed collar and short sleeves that tie into bows at the cuffs. The skirt is full and has several pleats at the waist.

Credit Line:

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Carlotta Walls LaNier

Restrictions & Rights:

No Known Copyright Restrictions

See more items in:

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Classification:

Clothing-Historical

Exhibition:

Defending Freedom, Defining Freedom: The Era of Segregation, 1876-1968

On View:

NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 2, C 2053

Date:

1957

Object number:

2012.117.1ab

Created by:

Sportswear by Sheinberg

Worn by:

Carlotta Walls LaNier, American, born 1942

Subject of:

Little Rock Central High School, American, founded 1927

Topic:

African American

Civil Rights

Clothing and dress

Education

Race relations

Segregation

United States--History--1953-1961

Place used:

Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States, North and Central America

Medium:

cotton with plastic buttons

Dimensions:

H x W (top): 22 3/4 x 23 1/2 in. (57.8 x 59.7 cm)

H x W (skirt): 27 x 41 in. (68.6 x 104.1 cm)

Data Source:

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Type:

ensembles (costume)