Anna McVean McLaren wore this dress, possibly while her husband, Robert, was commander of Fort Snelling from 1862-1865. McLaren was the daughter of Scottish immigrant Archibald McLaren, who settled in New York and succeeded financially as a farmer. In 1860, Archibald was living with Anna, Robert and their son Archibald in Red Wing, and his personal value was $30,000 (more than $850,000 today). He died during the Civil War, and in 1870, Anna McLaren owned $6,000 in real estate, likely an inheritance from her father.