Who Makes Best Wedding Cake?

DANBURY — This summer the Danbury Museum and Historical Society is offering a special exhibition of items from its permanent collection of 19th and 20th Century wedding dresses.

Wedding ensembles from the 1850s to the 1970s have been set up within the museum’s main exhibition hall, and include a number of gowns that have been donated to the museum over the years. Items range from an almost new 1971 creamy white piece to a gown from the 1860s aged to nearly golden yellow.

The style and decorative details of the gowns provide a survey of fashion trends from the Victorian period to the mid-20th Century. The richness or simplicity of embellishment help identify the economic status of the brides who wore them.

Among the gowns on display are an unusual pair. One is a blue plaid silk dress worn by Laura Hoyt in 1860, which demonstrates the popularity of blue gowns before Queen Victoria’s white wedding of 1840 became the standard, while the second is a simple mauve dress worn during World War II in response to the fabric shortages of the war years.

The exhibit is on view in the museum’s Huntington Hall, at 43 Main Street, Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am until 4 pm. It will remain on view until October.

Wedding Cakes Competition

In conjunction with the special exhibit the historical society will host a cake decorating and tasting competition. Contestants, both professional and amateur, will be putting their best confection forward for public tasting and judging on Saturday, August 14, from 2 to 5 pm.

Entries will be set up within the historic buildings on the society’s main street campus. Attendees will be invited to first view and vote on the cakes and then sample and vote for their favorite taste.

Sparkling wine, sparkling water and milk will be served as well.

At least 15 entries were confirmed as of July 28, and the museum expected to receive more by the August 10 registration deadline.

Public admission for April 14 will be $10 for adults, and free for children under 12. Proceeds will benefit the museum.

For more information visit DanburyMuseum.org or call 203-743-5200.