Plan to see Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue in plenty of red this weekend, not her traditional blue.

On Wednesday Perdue showed sketches of the red beaded ball gown she plans to wear to Friday’s inaugural ball and the red suit she’ll wear to the swearing-in ceremonies on Saturday, Samantha Thompson Smith reports.

Both pieces were created by dress designer Lynda Narron Bunn, who owns Lynda's Couture in Bailey.

For the first time, North Carolinians won't see a black tux on the governor at the inauguration. Perdue is the first female governor.

Bunn and Perdue have worked together for the past four years. Bunn made Perdue’s gown and suit for the last inaugural ceremonies in 2005 and later created all of the suits Perdue wore on the campaign trail.

Perdue says the gown, which is made from a beaded double-layer silk chiffon, is a favorite of hers. It has a number of stand-out features, including a sheer organza bodice with long sleeves, a heavily jeweled collar band and cuffs and a full apron in the back.

After the inaugural weekend, the dress will go to the N.C. Museum of History so it can eventually be put on display. 

Digging deeper into history, Dome has found a few other notable N.C. women.

Along with the handful of Tar Heels inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame and the first women elected to various state offices, here are a few more worth noting, courtesy of the N.C. Museum of History.

FIRST ENGLISH CHILD: In 1587, Virginia Dare was the first English child born in the New World.

FIRST PROTEST: The 1774 Edenton Tea Party, in which 51 "patriotic ladies" announced their boycott of East Indian tea taxed by the British, was one of the first political activities by women in the U.S. 

FIRST FIRST LADY: In 1809, Guilford County native Dolley Madison became the first First Lady with North Carolina ties when her husband, James, became the fourth president.

FIRST WOMEN'S COLLEGE: In 1838, Greensboro College became the first chartered college for women in North Carolina. 

FIRST ATTORNEY: In 1878, Tabitha Ann Holton passed the state bar to become the first licensed female attorney in the South.

FIRST DOCTOR: In 1887, Dr. Annie Lowrie Alexander, originally of Mecklenburg County, became the state's first licensed female doctor.

FIRST TAR HEEL: In 1898, Sallie Walker Stockard became the first woman to graduate from the University of North Carolina.

With North Carolina experiencing a hot governor’s race, the N.C. Museum of History is beginning an exhibit looking at nearly 300 years of Tar Heel governors.

The exhibit, which starts Oct. 25, includes artifacts, photographs and portraits of past governors, Rob Christensen reports.

Among the events surrounding the exhibit will a panel discussion with three former North Carolina governors — Jim Holshouser, Jim Martin and Jim Hunt. Former Gov. Bob Scott, who has been struggling with health issues,  does not plan to attend.

The panel discussion will be held Oct. 24th and be moderated by Bill Friday, the former president of the University of North Carolina system.

Today — Oct. 16 — is the last day to register for the evening. But the event will later be rebroadcast on UNC-TV. For more informaiton call 919-807-7900.