Featured Victorian Lady

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1-800-452-5925

 Victoriana Lady Lisa

Editor’s Note:  Most of us have wondered, while looking at tattered sepia toned photographs, what life was really like for the ornately dressed posed figures gazing back at us.  What would it have been like to stroll along the decks of the Titanic with feathered wide brimmed hats and long taffeta skirts blowing in the cool sea breeze? What would their weddings, and wedding nights, have been like?  How long were women required to wear yards of black fabric while in mourning, and what was it like having a funeral in their own homes?  Victoriana Lady Lisa answers all of these questions and brings the forgotten, fascinating secrets of life in Victorian and Edwardian Eras alive in her entertaining living history engagements. Read on and you, like me, will wish you could attend each one of Lisa’s programs!

                                                               Cathy

Lisa became intrigued with the Victorian Era as a young girl.  She warmheartedly recalls spending time at her Great Aunt Margaret’s 19th century home where they played dress up with flowing scarves, lacy gloves, and plumed hats.  As a ten year old, Lisa felt grown up attending tea parties for two using the best china in Aunt Margaret’s parlor. She enjoyed examining antique heirloom photographs and listening to stories lovingly told about her family coming to America in 1859 and of her Quarter Master Sergeant great-great-grandfather’s Civil War battles.  She also remembers being enthused by the film Somewhere in Time as a junior high student. She longed for the beautiful clothing and delicate etiquette portrayed. Lisa began checking out book after book from the library about this historic time period; she wanted to learn all that she could about this temperate, delightful era  When she was fifteen, Lisa bought a pair of lace gloves and a beaded purse at an estate sale, and thus began her collection of Victorian Era artifacts; many more would follow. 

Inspired by the Victoria magazine, Lisa was determined to combine her love and passion for this era into her vocation.  She continued collecting authentic period pieces, reading books such as The Business of Bliss and Turn Your Passion Into Profits, and eventually developed a traveling Victorian/Edwardian Eras museum business.  As an author and living history professional actress and speaker, Lisa developed and currently offers the following programs: Titanic Memories, in honor of the 2012 100 year anniversary; Grand Victorian fashion Show and Adult Victorian Fashion Lecture, with spring, summer, fall, and winter collections; Children’s Victorian Fashion Lecture, with assorted baby and children fashions and accessories; Victorian Mourning Traditions, with mourning fashions, accessories, and artifacts; Victorian Wedding Traditions/Bridal Shower, with wedding dresses, accessories, photos, and a no man’s land wedding night discussion; Ellis Island Experience, with immigrant clothing, accessories, artifacts, and photos; and Victorian Tea, with fashion history and tea etiquette.  She also is a professional Victorian model, a consultant for Victorian events, and a historical tour guide for the Stegmaier Mansion.

Lisa feels truly privileged to be able to travel around Pennsylvania, and the country, performing and presenting her knowledge of the 1860 – 1920 historical periods through her programs. She says, “It’s sharing our roots.  It’s what makes us who we are.”  Lisa also feels honored that families have donated authentic artifacts for her to add to her collections, knowing that she will treasure and safeguard each piece. 

At home, Lisa enjoys spending time with her two sons and daughter.  She also has a special man in her life, John Thomas Grant, who shares the love of the past with her. They met through a Facebook friend who knew of their mutual interest in the Victorian Era.  Because their story was so unique, their local newspaper wrote an article about the couple titled, Victorian Romance. They are both currently writing books: hers is on the subject of Victorian and Edwardian Fashions and Accessories (a 360 page, hard cover coffee table size book, with full color photos) and his is regarding cemetery photography.

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