Buffalo History Museum: Enter bridesmaid dress contest

In keeping with its mission to preserve the stories of the ordinary and extraordinary of traditions, culture, and industry in Western New York, The Buffalo History Museum is holding a contest titled "Always a Bridesmaid...". The purpose of the contest is to attain a bridesmaid attire to be added to the museum's permanent collection. The deadline for submissions is Feb. 10.

In 2013, the museum held its inaugural "Something Old, Something New" that featured a wedding dress and story contest to add a contemporary wedding gown into the collection, filling a void in the museum's textile assemblage and keeping. Fashioned from the bride's brother's World War II silk parachute, the winning gown and its story were highlighted at last year's event.

"While we have many bridal gowns, we currently have no gowns with a bridesmaid provenance. The contest seeks not only the outfit but its story," stated museum Executive Director Melissa Brown.

The Buffalo History Museum collections committee will review the first round of submissions. Five submissions will be chosen for the community to cast it votes. The final winner will be selected by participants at "Something Old, Something New" at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 2, at the museum. Tickets for the event are $20. The winning entry ultimately will be preserved with the winning bridal garment.

Visit www.buffalohistory.org or call 716-873-9644 for details on contest submission and event information. Email the submission, including a story related to the dress (500-600 words) and a photo of the dress being warn by its owner to [email protected] by Feb. 10 (write Always a Bridesmaid in subject bar), or by regular mail (to be received by Feb. 10) to The Buffalo History Museum, One Museum Court, Buffalo, NY 14216, Attn: Bridesmaid Dress Contest.