“The First Ladies exhibit is a very personal one for people,” Graddy says. “Your grandmother took you to see the First Ladies exhibit. Her grandmother took her. You want to bring your granddaughter.” Since 1969, Pat Nixon’s dress has been part of the tourists’ pilgrimage. Her mimosa silk gown, designed by Karen Stark for Harvey Berin, is embroidered in silver and gold and encrusted with Austrian crystals. When Mrs. Richard Nixon wasn’t rocking elaborate bolero jackets, Graddy says, she was trying to encourage volunteerism and help the public get better access to the White House.