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Outfit worn by Carlotta Walls to Little Rock Central High School

African American Museum

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Object Details

Created by

Sportswear by Sheinberg

Worn by

Carlotta Walls LaNier, American, born 1942

Subject of

Little Rock Central High School, American, founded 1927

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

Date

1957

Object number

2012.117.1ab

Restrictions & Rights

No Known Copyright Restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

Type

shirts
skirts

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 - Fashion and Historical

Movement

Civil Rights Movement

Data Source

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

Metadata Usage

CC0

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd516a6c474-e3c6-4baa-98d4-03ba9b73019c

Record ID

nmaahc_2012.117.1ab

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