History & Notes: This fabulous pair of shoes belonged to Lula Brown McDonald who was born about 1896 in Chattanooga, Tennessee to a prominent southern family. Lula was a very independent woman and moved to Washington D.C. during the first World War with her young daughter Jane. Here she procured a government job and met James McDonald II of Hailey, Idaho. James was the son of the Standard Oil Company's European representative, James McDonald Sr. After marrying James Jr. in 1927, Lula and Jane moved to Idaho where the family split their time between Hailey and Boise, often making the newspapers for their soirees and development ventures. Lula was an active member of the Hailey and Boise social circles and contributed to artistic and charitable ventures throughout the state. Never one to settle down for too long, Lula traveled extensively throughout her life and amassed an impressive collection of clothing and curios from designers and craftspeople the world over. After Lula's death in 1973, her daughter Jane Gorrissen donated this gown and many other pieces to the Idaho State Historical Society.
Description: Modified T-strap pumps. Body and heel of the shoe are covered with marbled orange fabric. Topline is trimmed with gold toned leather. T-strap features a loop of gold toned leather to fasten the closure that is locked with a red rhinestone studded, gold-toned metal buckle.
Object Number: 1973.224.0161
Object: shoe, pump
Category: Personal Gear
Circa: 1920
Materials: metal, leather, rhinestone, textile
Donor: Jane Gorrissen