Sarah Brooks Holmes (1773-1835), known as Sally, lived in Alfred with her husband, John Holmes who was instrumental in Maine’s separation from Massachusetts. Sally Holmes wore this evening gown in Washington DC during James Monroe's administration from 1817-1825 when John Holmes served as one of Maine's first senators. Sally and her daughter, Sarah Ann, spent "the season" in Washington.

As of 2019, the Maine Historical Society's clothing collection includes no examples of 1820s colored cotton, silk satin, silk plaids, or gowns with the slightly flared heavily embellished skirts and sleeves seen in fashion plates of the 1820s. However, this fine white satin gown, with an undulating bias strip trimming the lower skirt and applied satin leaf shapes adorning puff sleeves, is along this vein.