Rep. Sykes Secures Federal Funding to Restore Former First Lady Ida McKinley Artifacts

Rep. Sykes Secures Federal Funding to Restore Former First Lady Ida McKinley Artifacts

CANTON, OH - Today, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced the Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded the National First Ladies Library & Museum $40,000 for a project that will restore and conserve several items of clothing that belonged to First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley.

"The National First Ladies Library & Museum is not only an integral part of our community in Ohio's 13th Congressional District, it's a national treasure, serving as the nation's only showplace to honor America's iconic First Ladies," said Rep. Sykes. "This program holds a special significance for our community, as it will help ensure the legacy of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley, who was born and raised right here in Canton."

"As the foremost repository of First Lady artifacts, the National First Ladies Library & Museum is thrilled to take this critical step in preserving our historic collections. Our Ida McKinley gowns and bodices are central to both daily exhibitions and educational programming, offering visitors a tangible connection to a First Lady whose resilience during times of transition continues to inspire. With the upcoming America 250 celebration, the conservation of these garments is more important than ever, ensuring that future generations can experience and learn from these remarkable pieces of history. We are deeply honored to receive $40,000 from IMLS to support this vital work, which strengthens our mission, our partnership with the National Park Service, and our commitment to preserving the stories of First Ladies for the next 250 years," said David Lee, President & CEO of the First Ladies Library & Museum.

This funding will be used to restore several of First Lady McKinley's gowns and bodices. These artifacts are not only invaluable to understanding her life and legacy but are also integral to the museum's mission to preserve and share the history of the First Ladies of the United States. Through conservation efforts, the museum aims to stabilize, clean, and restore these fragile textiles to a condition suitable for continued exhibition and study. In light of the upcoming America 250 celebration in 2026, this initiative aligns with the museum's dedication to the preservation of national heritage and will ensure these historic garments can be shared with future generations.

This grant was awarded through Inspire! Grants for Small Museums, a special initiative of the Museums for America program. It is designed to support small museums of all disciplines in project-based efforts to serve the public through exhibitions, educational/interpretive programs, digital learning resources, policy development and institutional planning, technology enhancements, professional development, community outreach, audience development, and/or collections management, curation, care, and conservation. The Institute of Museum and Library Services received 375 applications requesting $17,215,133 and was able to make 25 awards for a total of $832,475.