Ladies Society Receives Donation of Historically Noteworthy Dress

Ellen Haeussler dancing in the dress in a 1955-1956 MHS yearbook photo.

The Manchester Ladies Society received a surprise while sorting prom dress donations for the upcoming Free Prom Dress Boutique. Among the 40+ dresses donated at the Library’s front desk over the last few months was a beautiful vintage lavender lace dress. There was a note attached explaining that this dress was worn by Ellen Haeussler (now Ellen Grossman) who attended Manchester High School in 1956. That was the year that the “New” high school (now the middle school) had just been completed.

The zipper was broken when donated but has already been repaired and the dress will be available at the Free Prom Dress Boutique this weekend. Unlike the rest of the dresses which the girls who take have the option of cleaning and returning or keeping after prom is over, the Ladies Society is asking that this dress be returned after prom so that it can be loaned out every year.

The dress was modeled by Emma Harris on Saturday at the Prom Dress Fashion Show and Afternoon Tea.

Emma Harris modeling the dress. Photo by Theresa Herron.

Ellen Haeussler in the 1955-1956 MHS yearbook.

Emma Harris modeling the dress in the Prom Dress Fashion Show, Saturday, March 14 at the Manchester United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.