Dancing Through History With First Ladies' Gowns

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Grover Cleveland's wife, Frances, was a fashion icon during the late 1800s and was considered the Jackie Kennedy of her day. Her inaugural gown was more of a two-piece ensemble -- an elegant floral chine skirt and a peach velvet bodice crafted by House of Doucet of Paris. (Courtesy of the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History)

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Every four years in January, Washington, D.C., plays host to the country's biggest "prom." Inaugural balls bring out happy winners, administration bigwigs and a gown — on the first lady — that will become a part of history.

An exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History displays some of those gowns. NPR Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg took her dance card to the show.

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