Victorian America Celebrates Arbor Day

Victorian America Celebrates Arbor Day

The first Arbor Day was held in the early 1870’s in Nebraska. The event slowly became an annual occasion in all of the fifty States. This tradition of planting trees to beautify and forest the plains has benefited all states in the union. Quotes, a period newspaper article, and historic images enrich the historic understanding of this holiday’s origins.

BOOK REVIEW: Object: Matrimony by Chris Enss

BOOK REVIEW: Object: Matrimony by Chris Enss

5 STARS!–what did Chris Enss do with this title to earn such a high rating? I explain why I read non-fiction books about the Old West, why I recommend them to readers of fiction, the particular value of OBJECT: MATRIMONY for readers of fiction.

Victorian Leap Year Traditions Part 1

Victorian Leap Year Traditions Part 1

If you recall seeing the 2010 movie, LEAP YEAR, starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode, then you know a great deal of fun can be poked at the long-held European tradition of ladies taking a turn, roughly once every four years, in the dominant role of pursuer in a romantic relationship.

According to an article titled LEAP YEAR, and subtitled: Ladies’ law in Leap Year–Bachelors’ Penalty, as published in The Weekly Kansas Chief newspaper on 21 January, 1892, “A lady has the privilege in leap year of suggesting marriage between herself and a bachelor acquaintance.

Victorian Fountain Pens

Victorian Fountain Pens

Fountain pens have made a comeback. They’re popular today–but ever wondered when they were invented? Or whether Victorians used them…or still dipped pen nibs in ink bottles? What about the fancy handwriting we see from the Victorian Era? Did you know special business schools taught students proper penmanship for business purposes? This article covers it all.

Book Review: The History of the Telephone

Book Review: The History of the Telephone

HISTORY OF THE TELEPHONE is an incredibly readable resource. Entertaining, enlightening, an historic gem. I delved right in, entirely unaware that it had been written more than 100 years ago. It reads with the same clarity and ease as if it had been written recently, and by a gifted historian. It’s that insanely well-written.