Adventurous women came to Alaska, as well as men, during the early days following the discovery of gold.  Towns such as Juneau, Nome, Fairbanks, Livengood, Chicken, and Flat sprung up around or near the diggings.  Soon families developed or wives joined their husbands.  The need for schools brought single women as teachers to these outposts of civilization.

Finding themselves isolated from any of the refinements and luxuries, they often had to make do with what was on hand.  Through their resourcefulness they may have used lace curtains to make a wedding gown like the one fashioned by Carol Ross for the Anna doll.  

One such woman was Anne S. Purdy, whose autobiographical novel "Tisha" tells about her experiences as a young teacher in rural Alaska.  It is in her memory and for the many "gutsy" women like her who pioneered Alaska, that the Wedding Dress was made.

Gib Whitehead, Photographer