THE VICTORIAN SOCIETY IN AMERICA
205 S. Camac St, Philadelphia, PA  19107 ~ Phone: 215-545-8340 ~ Fax: 215-545-8379

EMAIL NEWSLETTER
 Thanksgiving 2004

Welcome to the  November  issue of the VSA's email newsletter.
 

The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth
Jennie A. Brownscombe (1850-1936)
http://www.pilgrimhall.org/plgrmhll.htm

This popular interpretation of the first Thanksgiving has become a symbol of the holiday for many Americans. It reached a wide audience and influenced the national understanding when it was printed in Life magazine.  Brownscombe clearly conveyed the peaceful meeting of the English settlers and the native Americans.

Painting during the colonial revival period, Brownscombe chose some details that are inconsistent with history (such as the log cabin and the Sioux feather headdress) to symbolize early America. The entire image, however, with its elements of religious solemnity, feasting, and community has a strong emotional appeal and shows a Thanksgiving with which early twentieth century Americans would feel comfortable.

GIVE THE GIFT OF MEMBERSHIP

 

Members are reminded that a gift membership of the Society may be the perfect holiday present for your Victorian friends.  Contact us with the payment details for a new member, and we will mail a welcome package, including a gift card in your name, to any new member in time for the holidays.  Membership rates: Individual $45; Household $55, Student $30, Institutional $40.

VICTORIAN SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIP FUND LUNCHEON
fundraiser

On November 10th last, the Victorian Society Scholarship Fund held its annual fundraiser at the Forbes Galleries in New York City.  Through monies raised,  graduate students and professionals in preservation and related fields are provided with the opportunity to participate in courses in nineteenth century cultural history held by the Victorian Society Summer Schools in London and Newport, RI.

 This year the event was a celebratory luncheon in partnership with the American Associates of The Royal Academy Trust commemorating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the fund.

Among the 48 people on hand was TRH The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.  The Duke is a grandson of George V and a first cousin to The Queen.  The visit by the distinguished residents of Kensington Palace was also recorded in the Court Circular of the Times of London. 

Picture © Office of The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester

MEMBERS

CIVIL WAR REENACTING

You might have read in our printed newsletter about the continuing interest in Civil War reenactments of former VSA business manager, Stacy Hampton, and her photographs of  the  Neshaminy Reenactment 2004 at Neshaminy, PA on April 24-25, 2004.

In the article there was a web address that we are happy to reproduce below, and where you will also find a link to more of Stacy's work.

http://www.campchase.com/Neshaminy.htm

Image property of Camp Chase Gazette Publishing and others
2004, Camp Chase Publishing ©, Marietta, Ohio

Stella Elkins Tyler
A Legacy Born of Bronze
September 1-November 20, 2004

Catalogue - 80 pp., 8 ½ x 11, 72 color illustrations, appendix

In celebration of the 40^th anniversary of Bucks County Community College, presented a major exhibition of sculpture by Stella Elkins Tyler. This show was curated by Fran Orlando and is accompanied by a full-color catalogue authored by VSA Board member Dr. Roberta A. Mayer.

Bucks County Community College was founded in 1964 on the former estate of George and Stella Elkins Tyler, a property in Newtown, Pennsylvania, of grand architectural designs and formal gardens. At that time, many of Stella Tyler’s bronze sculptures remained on the site and thus became part of the College’s art collection.

Catalogue available at BCCC Library Circulation Desk and at Hicks Art Center.
For information, please call 215-504-8531

For more and excerpts visit: http://oldwww.bucks.edu/cultural/stella_tyler.html

MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

 

Port Townsend's 8th Annual Victorian Festival
www.victorianfestival.org/2004/x.html
March 17-20, 2005

VSA member organization, The Jefferson County Historical Society, headquartered in historic Port Townsend, WA,  organize the Victorian Festival and the VSA intends to have a presence.  Victorian costumes will be everywhere in town as people help "Celebrate Our Heritage".  Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the JCHS and the restoration of its headquarters, the 1891 City Hall building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

  

Parlor Teas - One of the most popular events  held in the parlors and dining rooms of several  of Port Townsend's most beautiful Bed and Breakfast Inns.  Servers will be in Victorian costumes, to add fun and color to the dining experience.

 

Antique Auction - Friday evening visitors can participate in an antique auction by a professional auctioneer who will bring vintage items and furniture from far and wide.

 

Candlelight Tour - Visitors can participate in  an escorted tour of three of Port Townsend's most beautiful Victorians.  Guests will board three buses and tour Port Townsend, while hearing stories about its architecture and learning the history of the homes and their original occupants before entering.  After touring each house, participants can snack on light refreshments and chat with the costumed docents before moving to the next house on the tour, where the home visit will be repeated, with a different  round of refreshments. 

 

Historical Theatrics - Another event is a living history portrayal of General George Pickett.  Who was the famous “leader of the charge” and why does he matter so much to the Puget Sound area of Washington?  Find out from Pickett himself during An Evening with George Pickett -- a one-man show with Mike Vouri and Michael Cohen, who plays the banjo and sings period songs.

 

Victorian Fashion Show - Costumes and dresses from private vintage and reproduction collections will be modeled. The Jefferson County Historical Society Museum will also have on display Victorian clothing from the Society's collection.  Clothing for men, women and children will be featured and includes day and evening wear.

 

Victorian Costume Ball - The signature event is the Victorian Costume Ball, held this year at the beautiful Chapel at Fort Worden.  The Cornucopia Concert Band will provide the music, and dances of all types will be on the program, as well as the ever-popular Grand March. 

 

History's Mysteries -  invites you to seek out clues and solve a true to life 1890s Port Townsend mystery. Detectives sworn in receive a game packet containing an official case file providing background on the mystery and tips for finding clues. This includes a clue map, which shows locations of local businesses where they can pick up printed clues and find material evidence. On the weekend, characters (suspects) will be on the streets in costume answering questions and casting doubt on their fellow Port Townsend residents.

 

Other Events - being finalized include a slide lecture on the history and restoration of  Port Townsend's colorful architecture and equally colorful builders, followed by a walking tour of the area, and multiple activities for young people.

 

Mercantile - Shop and munch delicacies in a Victorian atmosphere in the Mercantile featuring items that might be found in a Victorian mercantile.  The venue will be transformed to present a turn-of-the-century atmosphere.  Festival headquarters for ticket sales will also be located here.

 

Port Townsend has a checkered and colorful past and promises to provide fun no matter which of the events visitors  attend.   Learn about Port Townsend at  www.ptguide.com.

 

Concord-based Orchard House -- Home of the Alcotts

(Louisa May Alcott Memorial Association)

VSA member organization Orchard House has been selected as a Massachusetts 2004 Catalogue for Philanthropy charity.

This year’s edition of the Catalogue will profile 69 of Massachusetts' outstanding environmental, cultural, and human service agencies as "examples of excellence" in Massachusetts philanthropy. Orchard House was chosen from a total applicant pool of over 150 organizations.

 For more visit: www.louisamayalcott.org - or phone  978-369-4118.

PUBLICATIONS

The printed Newsletter 2004 No. 2 was published last week.  If you do not receive your copy soon, please contact the office or email info@victoriansociety.org.

The latest issue of our flagship magazine, 19th Century will be issued shortly.  Here is a searchable Index of Articles in all past 19th Century issues.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

Picturing Modern America, 1880-1920
http://www.edc.org/CCT/PMA/

Featuring primary documents from the Library of Congress' American Memory archives, these thinking exercises for middle and high school students comprise a project of the Center for Children and Technology Education Development Center with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

PREVIOUS WEB SITES OF THE MONTH

.................................................................................

THIS HOLIDAY SEASON SHOP AT AMAZON

Help the VSA when you do your holiday shopping by clicking our Amazon logo

Click on the logo and all purchases within 24 hours help the VSA

Lady Diane Hats

Ladies will be attending to their costume needs this holiday season.  Of course, if you want to get ahead, get a hat.

VSA member Diane Siverson says that purchasing a new hat should be a fun and exciting event, and she should know having sold hundreds of them, while pursuing her talents in flower arranging, growing 7,000 plants a year, and arts & crafts design. Meanwhile, Diane also managed to raise two children and build her own house - although husband, Ron, claims some credit in this respect.

Diane, who is from Spokane, WA, has sewn since she was in grade school and now hand tailors heirloom quality hats to her original designs.   Visit Lady Diane's Hats

OBITUARY - Judith Snyder

We regret to report the death of Judith Snyder, who for  fifteen years served as membership director and then executive director of the Victorian Society in America. Ms. Snyder was latterly executive director of the Camden County Historical Society.  A full obituary appears on their web site at: http://www.cchsnj.com/cchs_announce42.shtml

Remembering founders


C. Dudley Brown (second from left) reviewing printed fabrics for the Dornsife Collection
(photo: Joan Wells, VSA Archives 1980)

C. Dudley Brown was the first president of the Washington Chapter and, as The Victorian newsletter of February 1993 reported, he has been a member of the VSA since its first established day.  This makes Dudley probably our longest-serving member.

Dudley, a resident of Washington, has been president of his own firm since 1964 specializing in historic preservation and design.  He received his B.Sc. design degree from the University of Cincinnati, and was honored in 1988 by the  American Society of Interior Designers with their "Designer of Distinction" award.  In 1989 Dudley was given the VSA Presidential Award for outstanding service to the Victorian Society, work that continues today as the Society's historian.

Also pictured are Mary Kay Baldwin and Wayne F. Dimm (Schumacher), and Samuel J. Dornsife.

And finally, you may join your staff of one in celebrating the first anniversary of the email newsletter.

Cheerio..

web site links

Let us know what you think of the e-newsletter and what you like to see in it.

UNTIL NEXT TIME
visit us on the web at www.victoriansociety.org

The Victorian Society in America
205 S. Camac Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
info@victoriansociety.org

Copyright 2004. Victorian Society in America. All rights reserved.
Third party material used for scholarly purposes only.