"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways." And so begins this very romantic poem penned by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, one of the Victorian era's foremost poets. What a great love she and Robert Browning shared. This poem was written early on in their relationship; during courtship and early marriage. History.com relates that [...]
By Donna Klein On the northern edge of Alpena, not far from the Thunder Bay River, is a gem of Northeast Michigan called the Besser Museum. Named for Jesse Besser, a pioneer in modern concrete technology, the museum is home to a variety of exhibits. Each year, the museum hosts a "Season [...]
Near the new Memorial Bridge sits an eclectic Victorian storefront. Situated a comfortable stroll from the center of downtown, not far from Prescott Park on the banks of the Piscataqua River, Pickwick's Mercantile is part of an economic rebirth in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Rita Fabbricatore and her staff opened the doors on Black Friday, [...]
The Good Wife has been a staple of the CBS line up since first arriving in living rooms in September, 2009. The legal and political drama stars Julianna Margulies as Alicia Florrick, the title character of the show. From the first episode, fans have been interested in fashions worn by the various characters [...]
Located in New Paltz, New York, Historic Huguenot Street is a history museum which combines academic and costumed interpretations to give visitors a whole history of New Paltz and Huguenot Street. Founded in 1677 by seven French Protestant families who fled the religious persecutions and wars of Europe, New Paltz’s history follows the greater American Narrative. With seven original stone houses, multiple historic structures, and a reproduction 1717 Church, HHS recreates American history, not by focusing on dates and names, but on the thoughts, feelings, and emotions of the people who came before, starting with the earliest contact period, and ending with the industrial revolution and the turn of the 20th century. HHS employs a combination of interpretive methods to create a whole experience for the guest, including costumed actors who invoke the spirit of the past, the emotions and feeling of the people living in the moment of a historic event in American history. One of those moments is the turn of the 20th century, a time when the nation was reacting to the changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution. HHS uses the Deyo House, a two room 17th century colonial stone house that was renovated in 1894 and turned into a two story Victorian Estate, and an actress portraying the Deyo family’s house maid to recreate the emotions of a changing culture through the perspective a member of the lower class. For the Deyo family and their house maid, their inability to adapt to the changes in society resulted in serious fears for their livelihoods and their futures. In order to faithfully recreate this moment in time, attention to detail is a steadfast requirement. As the center of the guests’ attention, the actress herself needs to exist in the moment as well, and the first step in that process is her wardrobe. After extensive research, the Agatha Ensemble from Recollections was a perfect match in terms of quality and image. Recollections would like to thank our customer, Historic Huguenot Street, and Kristine Gogg for showing us how history comes to life in New Paltz, NY! Photos provided by Historic Huguenot Street. Interpreter in photos: Davida Haber. To find out more about Historic Huguenot Street, please visit historichuguenotstreet.org. […]
Early Victorians generally had little interest in visiting the ocean for any reason, but somewhere around the mid-1800’s doctors started recommending spas and mineral waters as a cure for many ailments. Natural hot springs – like the Glenwood Springs mentioned in an earlier Blog article – became popular places for fashionable Victorians to go to [...]
The mountain air is crisp in the early October morning and we can see our own breath as we make our way into the historic train station in Durango, Colorado. Today we (about 200 Victorian-clad time travelers) will board a special run of the Durango and Silverton railroad as one of the events during the [...]
Today it may seem to us that Victorians had a rather morbid fascination with death, however it is probably we who are now so insulated from this part of life, are overly sensitive to the topic. In the late 1800’s one in twenty infants died before their first birthday, and during the Civil [...]
As part of the upcoming Durango Heritage Celebration this October, we have just received formal invitations to attend a Grand Victorian Ball. The theme of the ball will be "150 Years: Commemorating the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War." Although all forms of Victorian and Edwardian dress will be permitted, I suspect [...]