Outfit worn by Carlotta Walls to Little Rock Central High School

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

1957

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)

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

See more items in: National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
Classification: Clothing-Historical
Movement: Civil Rights Movement
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

National Museum of African American History and Culture

Topic: African American; Civil Rights; Clothing and dress; Education; Race relations; Segregation; U.S. History, 1953-1961

GUID (Link to Original Record): http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd516a6c474-e3c6-4baa-98d4-03ba9b73019c