Mary Ann Cotton: Victorian poisoner

By | October 18th, 2020|Categories: Women's History|

I typically enjoy covering the pretty, funny, quirky, and amusing aspects of women’s history. This especially applies to the Victoria era that included so many customs and societal norms that we’ve evolved so far away from today. But as it is coming up on Halloween I thought it might be fun to look at a [...]

Salem Witch Trials Round-up

By | October 16th, 2020|Categories: Halloween, Women's History|Tags: |

Talk of Halloween, witches, and all that is spooky naturally lends itself to talk about the Salem Witch Trials. Hundreds of years later the story of the misguided community and the individuals who died at their hands remains a topic of massive interest. The various reasons for this is probably already the topic of a [...]

A brief history of trick or treating

By | October 10th, 2020|Categories: Halloween|Tags: |

Trick or treating may not be taking place in many neighborhoods this year, but the tradition is in little danger of being lost to time in this country. It is a deeply beloved start to the holiday season that children and adults treasure. But did you know that this is a holiday tradition that only [...]

Please party guests this season with mulled wine

By | October 8th, 2020|Categories: Christmas, Entertainment, Halloween, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , , , , , |

There is something about mulled wine that sends me back in time. Maybe it is the special mix of spices I’m not used to drinking that makes me think of a fancy tea party. Or maybe it is because I enjoyed it for the first time at a very special Victorian-themed lounge in Greenwich Village. [...]

Marybeth Walker: Keeping the tradition of side-saddle alive

By | October 5th, 2020|Categories: Customer's Fashions|Tags: , |

I recently learned that there is an entire equestrian sub-culture of people who are keeping the tradition of side-saddle riding alive. I am pleased to report that I learned about this fact because one of our Recollections customers is active in this culture and is in fact an award-winning side-saddle rider. Not only that, but [...]

Victorian Hair Jewelry: Yay or Nay?

By | September 26th, 2020|Categories: Accessories, Victorian culture, Victorian Era, Victorian Fashions|Tags: , , |

As a blogger of the history of fashion, I am always interested when I see a surge of interest in a particular trend of the past. One such thing that I’ve noticed is the attention given to the hair jewelry of the Victorian era. While such pieces have been on display in museums and passed [...]

Before selfies and text messages were friendship books

By | September 24th, 2020|Categories: Accessories, Women's History|

While selfies and text messages may be reminders of the time we spend with friends, in times past handmade gifts, letters, and keepsakes such as hair jewelry or a cross-stitch may have been items that people would exchange to keep memories alive. Up until the early 20th century, many people kept friendship books to capture [...]

19th-century female writers who should always be remembered

By | September 20th, 2020|Categories: 19th Century Literature|Tags: |

Women have always been literary. We have always loved to express ourselves with words and writing. Some of the earliest known writings are believed to be written by women. Scholars widely consider Ann Bradstreet to be America’s first poet. One of my favorite poems, The Thunder, Perfect Mind, was written by a woman and dates [...]

Victorian calling cards

By | September 17th, 2020|Categories: History of the home, Victorian culture, Victorian Era|Tags: , |

"To the unrefined or unbred, the visiting card is but a trifling and insignificant bit of paper; but to the cultured disciple of social law, it conveys a subtle and unmistakable intelligence. Its texture, style of engraving, and even the hour of leaving it combine to place the stranger, whose name it bears, in a [...]