JEAN NEEL FORD (1924— , 53rd First Lady) is the wife of Wendell H. Ford. Both are from Daviess County—the first occupants of the Governor’s Mansion from Owensboro. Ford often declared that he was “just a country boy from Yellow Creek.” He became the first person elected successively lieutenant governor, governor, and United States Senator from Kentucky.

Mrs. W. Bert Carlton made this dress, using fabric bought by Mrs. Ford when she obtained the gown. Sponsors were the Frankfort Woman’s Club, the Frankfort Younger Women’s Club, and the Heritage Woman’s Club of Frankfort.