Victorian Valentines: From England To America
| Venue: | Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library |
| Hours: | 10 am - 4:30 pm |
| Ages: | Kids, Teens, Adults |
| In/Outdoor: | Indoor |
| Cost: | Free |
| Category: | Exhibits |
Each February, the Scottish Rite Masonic Museum and Library presents an assortment of antique Valentines from the collection in the Van Gorden-Williams Library & Archives.
This year, “Victorian Valentines: From England to America,” presents 15 charming hand-assembled valentines now through March 5, 2014 on view in the Museum lobby.
Americans first started marking Valentine’s Day on a large scale in the mid-1800s.
By the end of the century commercial card makers—along with artistic sweethearts—produced thousands of creative Valentine designs.
“Victorian Valentines”
express the Victorian spirit of England transported to America.
Inspired by an English valentine she received, Esther Allen Howland (1828-1904) was the first person to make and sell valentines in America.
Her father, who owned a book and stationery store in Worcester, Massachusetts, ordered supplies for her from England.
The valentines displayed at the Museum—crafted by Howland and other makers—typify the cards she produced using lace paper, cut-out figures, printed floral decorations, and simple poetry.
In 1847, after graduating from Mount Holyoke College, Howland started her valentine business.
She recruited her brother, a salesman, to show samples of her cards throughout New England.
To her delight, he booked $5,000 worth of orders for her cards in the first year.
She hired friends to help her make the valentines and eventually founded her enterprise in Worcester, Massachusetts.
In 1881, Howland sold her business, the New England Valentine Company, to George C.
Whitney (1842-1915
The valentines on view are gifts of Mrs. Philip Cook, Naomi Keast, and Robert W.
Clarke in memory of Barbara M.
Clarke.
| WEBSITE | ↑ top |
www.nationalheritagemuseum.org/Home.aspx
| LOCATION | ↑ top |
33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA, 02421 map
Phone: (781) 861-6559
Corner of Route 2A and Mass. Ave.
| RELATED LINKS | ↑ top |
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