The iconic blue-and-white gingham dress worn by Judy Garland in the classic 1939 film The Wizard of Oz has finally been found after many years of being missing.
In 1973, @cuatower wrote about a gift to CatholicU meant to be a source of “hope, strength, and courage” to students. The gift was a dress that is believed to have been worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz.” pic.twitter.com/x1wy0P7oMr
— The Catholic University of America (@CatholicUniv) July 8, 2021
It was found at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. in the drama department, according to the department’s lecturer and operations coordinator, Matt Ripa.
“I have found many interesting things in Hartke during my time at Catholic University, but I think this one takes the cake!” Matt told AJC.
He said he had heard rumors that the dress was in the Hartke building where he worked and so he began looking everywhere for it. He said he was about to give up when he noticed a bag on top of the mailboxes.
While preparing for some renovations last month, Matt Ripa, M.F.A. 2008, @cuamusicdramart, rediscovered Dorothy’s Dress.
Learn more about this amazing item that is now properly preserved in @CUAarchives : https://t.co/lgIoPXCcMg pic.twitter.com/B3etVbIdiM
— The Catholic University of America (@CatholicUniv) July 8, 2021
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“I was curious what was inside and opened the bag. Inside was a shoebox, and inside the shoebox was the dress! I couldn’t believe it,” Matt said. “My co-worker and I quickly grabbed some gloves and looked at the dress and took some pictures before putting it back in the box and heading over to the (University) Archives.”
According to Catholic University, the dress will be kept in a temperature and humidity-controlled place in the University’s Special Collections.