Crowns and scepters have been associated with Fiesta San Antonio almost from the first Battle of Flowers parade in 1891. However, the selection of a queen was quite haphazard until 1909 when John Carrington founded the Order of the Alamo. The highlight of the exhibit is the cream silk dress and blue velvet train worn by Helena Guenther, Queen of the Court of Carnival of Flowers in 1911, the oldest royal robes in the Witte Museum Collection. The Witte’s 2009 Fiesta pin is based on jeweled motifs on the dress and train. A recently donated gold card case given to Queen Guenther by the Order of the Alamo is also on exhibit. A cerise velvet jacket with a beaded peacock on the back that was worn to a Fiesta costume party in 1924 as well as examples of robes and accessories from the early decades of Fiesta can be seen. The exhibit also highlights the 60th anniversary of Miss Fiesta, the royal position started in 1949 and open to all college age women in San Antonio. The crowns and gowns of the rest of Fiesta royalty are also included in the annual exhibit. Queens and Crowns is included with museum admission and is generously supported by the Fiesta San Antonio Commission, Inc