Merry Christmas Crossword 2017

By | December 19th, 2017|Categories: Contests and Games|Tags: , |

Play our Merry Christmas Crossword 2017 for a chance to win a 20% off coupon! We're giving away three of them. Complete the crossword and upload your answers in the comment section of this blog post. Comments are moderated and will not appear. An email confirmation will be sent to you once your entry is [...]

Christmas Cryptogram

By | December 17th, 2017|Categories: Contests and Games|Tags: , , |

We have a game for you to play, To help you pass the time away. A cryptogram, oh what fun! A gift for you may be won. Enter through the comments here And we may bring you holiday cheer. Um Wejipmnup zkua uyv nucb xttv webbj, Dtj Wejipmnup wtnbp qhm tywb u abuj. Christmas Cryptogram [...]

Thomas Nast and Santa Claus

By | December 6th, 2017|Categories: Christmas, Holidays, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , |

When Thomas Nast (1840-1902) died, he was eulogized as the “Father of American Political Cartoon” by the New York Times. He spent thirty years between 1857 and 1887 as an illustrator and cartoonist for Harper’s Weekly. But, political cartoons were not his only claim to fame. A more lasting legacy that touches us all still [...]

Take a Victorian Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum

By | December 5th, 2017|Categories: Edwardian Era, Holidays, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , |

While visiting the Tampa Bay area of Florida last week, I was able to take in the first day of the Victorian Stroll at the Henry B. Plant Museum at the University of Tampa. It was a wonderful way to kick off the Christmas holiday season! The Henry B. Plant Museum started out as the [...]

“Little Women” Inspires Women Today

By | December 1st, 2017|Categories: Civil War, Victorian Era|Tags: , , , , , , , , |

We recently sponsored a contest in which we honored Louisa May Alcott's sister characters from "Little Women" by asking our newsletter subscribers to tell us which of the March sisters inspires them most.  Although we didn't ask for more than a name, the impact of the author's story and characters in this novel was more [...]

Advent and Johann Hinrich Wichern

By | November 26th, 2017|Categories: Holidays, Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , |

The Advent wreath wasn’t invented by the Victorians, but its modernization came about during the period and its place among Christian traditions was solidified during the era. We have Johann Hinrich Wichern to thank for the Advent wreath we recognize today.  So, who was this man? Johann Hinrich Wichern was born on April 21, 1808, [...]

Caption This! Thanksgiving 2017

By | November 22nd, 2017|Categories: Contests and Games, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , , , |

Thanks for playing our Thanksgiving 'Caption This!' Contest. Congratulations to all of the winners! The judges had a hard time making a decision. So many good submissions were sent in! Read the winning entries below. We compiled nine vintage Thanksgiving greetings the 'Caption This!' Thanksgiving 2017 contest. We're looking for interesting captions in the Victorian [...]

Thanksgiving Crossword 2017

By | November 21st, 2017|Categories: Contests and Games, Victorian Era Celebrations|Tags: , |

Welcome to the final day of our Thanksgiving Crossword 2017. Today, we reveal the consonant M (we have to leave a little challenge!). There are no letters J, X, or Z in the puzzle. So how do you play and what do you win? We're running the contest November 21 - 27, midnight Pacific Time. Check this [...]

Why we should remember Lydia Maria Child

By | November 19th, 2017|Categories: Victorian Era, Victorian Era Celebrations, Women's History|Tags: , , , , |

Who was Lydia Maria Child? Why should we know her name? Well, this fierce activist was one of the bravest women of her time, AND she is a part of each of our holiday celebrations each year. Intrigued? Keep reading to learn about this social justice warrior and add to your holiday conversation starters this [...]