Morning Suit

The grandson of enslaved African Americans, L. Douglas Wilder (born January 17, 1931) achieved many firsts during his political career.  A graduate of Virginia Union University and Howard University Law School, Wilder became the first African American since post Civil War Reconstruction to be elected to the Senate of Virginia, the first elected African-American Lieutenant Governor, and in 1990 he became the first elected African-American Governor in United States History.

Governor Wilder wore this morning suit and hat for his inaugurations as Lieutenant Governor and Governor on January 11, 1986 and January 13, 1990, respectively.