"Vestal Virgin" Costume from Liberty Memorial Site Dedication

In 1921, more than 100,000 people gathered to see five of the supreme Allied commanders dedicate the site of the Liberty Memorial (today known as the National World War I Museum and Memorial.) This was the first time in history these leaders were together in one place.

As part of the ceremony, a group of local young women participated as "Vestal Virgins" styled after the Roman priestesses that maintained the sacred flame of Vesta. These young women served as wreath-bearers and released a white dove of peace. This costume belonged to Bernice Rutherford and was donated to the Museum in 2015.

2015.115