Staying warm in the Victorian winter

By | January 14th, 2020|Categories: Victorian Era, Victorian Fashions|Tags: , , , , , |

A few weeks ago I bought my first pair of snow boots and cannot believe the difference that they have made in my overall comfort this winter. I have recently moved to snowy Denver after five years in Australia and had to accept that my Converse Allstars aren’t really the best for walking around icy [...]

The rise and fall of the bustle: a short history

By | January 5th, 2020|Categories: Fashion, Underpinnings, Victorian Era, Victorian Fashions, Women's History|Tags: , , , |

A lot of interest has recently been given by clothing historians to the subject of women’s underclothes through time. It is, after all, something that we can all relate to, right? Maybe not. When one looks at the bustle, crinoline, and even whalebone corsets, for instance, we are truly looking at cultural artifacts from the [...]

The Perkins House in Colfax, Washington – Bringing the Past to the Present With Love

By | November 22nd, 2019|Categories: Victorian Era|Tags: , , |

Theresa looked forward to attending the Colfax Annual Ice Cream Social with her grandmother each year. It was an opportunity for her to participate in this sweet treasured tradition, and it was held at the 1886 Victorian home known as the Perkins House. Theresa Fitzerald-Dale loved history and things of old since she was a [...]

The Tournament of Roses Parade (Rose Parade)

By | November 21st, 2019|Categories: Destinations, Entertainment, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , |

The Origins of the Tournament of Roses Parade What do you do when the “flowers are blooming and the oranges are about to bear” and it’s cold and snowy in Chicago and New York? Well, if it is 1890 in southern California, you have a “festival to tell the world about your paradise!” – Charles [...]

Dickens Fairs

By | November 18th, 2019|Categories: 19th Century Literature, Christmas, Entertainment, Holidays, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , |

If it’s November, it’s time for Dickens fairs! These mid-Victorian London-inspired events pay homage to 19th century author Charles Dickens and the wonderful characters he created. The fairs are popular throughout England and the USA. Each one has its own signature, but all embody the spirit of the time. Here are a few Dickens Fairs [...]

Southern Ghost Girls

By | October 30th, 2019|Categories: Entertainment, Fashion, Halloween, Holidays, Recollections, Victorian Era, Victorian Fashions|Tags: , , |

How did Southern Ghost Girls Tours and Paranormal Investigations come to life? Lesley Ann Hyde loves to travel. She loves history and enjoys paranormal investigations. As she pursued her passion, Lesley noticed that most investigators were men, no one immersed themselves in history by dressing the part, and participants rarely got to do the investigating. [...]

Olga Leake: Historical Reenacting is Living Life in a Different Time Period

By | September 25th, 2019|Categories: Civil War, Customer's Fashions, Fashion, Recollections, Revolutionary War era, Victorian Era, Victorian Fashions, Women's History|Tags: , |

Olga Leake is an American Revolution Continental Soldier reenactor from Pennsylvania.

Tragedy Retold: The Ashtabula Train Disaster

By | September 22nd, 2019|Categories: Ball Gowns, Customer's Fashions, Entertainment, Fashion, Victorian Fashions|Tags: , |

The 1876 Ashtabula Train Disaster story is being retold in a PBS documentary. Recollections fashions will be worn by the actress portraying Mrs. Julia Stone.

Gates Pass and Saguaro National Park

By | April 26th, 2019|Categories: Old West, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , |

After mentioning my mission to experience the history of the area, my cousin took me on an adventure filled with history. Our day included Gates Pass and the Saguaro National Park where we would learn more about the prickly pear than ever thought possible. We also visited the Signal Hill Petroglyphs. Gates Pass As we [...]