Washington DC: The Dress

For reasons that were unclear, First Lady Dolley Payne Madison had a strong connection to the velvet drapes in the White House Oval Drawing Room. She pushed for them to be used even when the official decorator balked. She saved them right before the White House was burned down by the English in the War of 1812. And then, years later, she transformed them into something very unique and special. Many people wondered why she gave the drapes so much attention — but her niece Anna knew the reason. And it was something far more important than people realized.

Note: Though this is historical fiction and the characters have been developed to accommodate a story, their attributes and development may be useful as reference points and inspirations.