Six gowns formerly belonging to Katherine Beale Godwin, the late wife of former Gov. Mills E. Godwin Jr., are now on display at Riddick’s Folly.

The state’s former first lady was a lover of clothes and had a keen fashion sense, said Barbara Warren, who began work as Mills Godwin’s secretary in 1961 and continued as Katherine Godwin’s secretary after his death.

“She loved clothes,” Warren said of Katherine Godwin, a Holland native who married the Chuckatuck native who would become twice governor of Virginia. But she loved people more. “She had a wonderful way with people.”

The gowns were donated to Riddick’s Folly some years ago and have been on display before, Warren said. But after Katherine Godwin’s death in March, Riddick’s Folly decided to display them again.

“Things like this cause people to have a special interest in seeing them again, even if they’ve seen them before, and people that didn’t have the opportunity before have another opportunity,” Warren said.

The six gowns are in addition to the permanent display on the Godwins, which includes another gown in which Katherine Godwin received the queen of England during the 1976 bicentennial celebrations. The permanent display also includes a photo of Mrs. Godwin in her wedding gown, but that is on display in Richmond.

Two of the gowns are featured in historical photos also on display. One dress — pink with a mink collar — seems to have been a particular favorite of Godwin’s, as she is pictured in it on several different occasions.

“I think she really liked that dress,” Warren said.

Godwin was wearing the pink dress during a 1969 reception at the Governor’s Mansion that many Suffolk residents attended.

In a navy blue dress in the display, she is pictured at a 1976 reception for Supreme Court justices.

A black coat with fur cuffs on display has a tag that indicates it came from West Washington Street’s Fashion Shop in 1968. The owners there often helped Mrs. Godwin with her wardrobe, Warren said.

The other garments on display include a black, beaded, sleeveless dress with a fur-trimmed velvet coat; a dress of ecru satin with gold cording; and a green, sleeveless dress with multicolored beads.

Riddick’s Folly is located at 510 N. Main St. It is open Wednesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Call 934-0822 for more information.