Published On: 01-15-2009 06:46 PM
Blog Category: No Category
Blog Tags: victoriana, lady, lisa lewis, reenactor, speaker, history, wedding, fashions, edwardian, jim thorpe, gettysburg, civil war, hillside farms, antiques, manners, 
, etiquette, esther, tinsley, hospital, documentary, catering, traditions, bridal, shower, tea parties

Dear Victorian Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I introduce you to my first newsletter.

My dream and passion became my business in 2003.

At the time I was catering adult & children’s  afternoon tea parties

while wearing antique Victorian clothing from my own personal collection.

 

I put together a short program, The History & Etiquette of Tea, to present

at the tea socials. More often than not, during the question and answer segment

instead of asking me about tea, the ladies wanted to know everything about

my Victorian outfit. I quickly realized that I was doing the wrong program!

 

Since I had acquired quite a unique and large collection of Victorian clothing and

accessories over many years, I was well equipped. The program was an instant

success as I  presented each article of clothing the Victorian woman wore and

explained why she wore it.  From authentic corsets to hat pins and everything in

between, the audience loved it! Manners, etiquette and lifestyle also rounded out

the program. The audience especially liked when I would ask for volunteers to

model the hats and outer wear. They adored having their picture taken while

wearing a true piece of Victorian history.

 

With a change in Pennsylvania  health codes in 2005 cooking at home was now

impossible, I was forced to change direction and give up the catering.

 

During this same time I began to get more calls to do the Victorian Fashion Programs

instead of the tea parties.  Another wonderful opportunity was presented to me that

helped me to decide the direction in which I was to go. The Greater Pittston Historical

Society was starting a documentary film called Haven On The Hill. One of the creators

 and his wife attended one of my programs .  

 

After my presentation I was approached and he asked if I would be interested in

portraying a nurse from the turn of the century. She was not just any nurse, but the

first female hospital administrator in the entire country in 1910, he explained.

It sounded fascinating and I agreed on the spot to re-enact Miss Esther Tinsley.

 

Miss Esther Tinsley was a red head, as I too have red hair, and since I own several

dresses from 1910, I was a shoe-in, as the old saying goes!  It was an honor to portray

this amazing woman who was truly ahead of her time. It was thoroughly enjoying to

research Miss Tinsley and to experience  the production of the film was fascinating .

I realized then that I had found my true passion, public speaker of Victorian era

programs and historic re-enacting. The rest, as they say, is  history.

 

I am delighted to take my authentic clothing, accessories and artifacts, circa 1865-

1920,and share them with others who can appreciate the Victorian era. Many of my

pieces are truly unique, often items you would expect to find in a historical museum.

Other programs have  been added to my repertoire since the first one, Victorian &

Edwardian Fashions.

  

I am in antique heaven when I  am traveling around with my museum quality collection

of historical couture! Let Victoriana Lady make your next event unique and most

memorable!

 

New Program: Victorian Wedding Traditions & Authentic Fashions.

Forget the silly games and trinket gifts, host an elegant and memorable Bridal Shower.

 

For a list of programs, calendar of events, prior engagements, articles, photos, and

 more information please enjoy my web and blog sites.

www.Victorianalady.com

http://Victorianateasociety.zoints.com

 

 

 

Published On: 12-05-2008 01:35 PM
Blog Category: No Category
Blog Tags: swetland, victorian, home, society, museum, mourning, civil war, living history, lisa lewis, victorian lady, 

SWETLAND HOME

JANUARY 2007-
This month's meeting proved to be interesting for those of us native to the area, and to our visitors.
Luzerne County is celebrating its Sesquecentennial this year.

Administrator Clara Hudson put together a wonderful display highlighting points of interest and artifacts notable to this area.

We were treated to a tour of the home as Clara explained the history of the home and the Luke Swetland family.

Docent Nancy took us through the dining room sharing one of the challenges of cooking in the 1800's; trying to regulate the temperature of the stone oven.

She explained that if the hair singed on your arm when you stuck it in the oven than it was ready for baking.

The home is filled with marvelous furnishings, paintings of the Swetland family, and various accoutrements found in a well to do 1800 home. The pianoforte is an exquisite piece alone, and well worth seeing.

The rooms were laid out as if the family still lived there.
Each room had a mannequin dressed in Victorian fashions which displayed the popular and wealthy style of the era. 

The parlor is where a Victorian funeral re-enactment is held each October. You can see pictures by clicking on the Swetland Home Mourning page above.

After our tour we made our way upstairs to the meeting room.
The guests were treated to an antique estate sale where they could purchase items. Everything from furniture, Limoge China, to Victorian greeting cards were for sale.

Clara's dessert table was laden with assorted sweets, fruit punch and a crowd favorite, Bourbon brownies.

The serving table was decorated in red hearts for Valentine's Day. A nice touch was the authentic Victorian Valentines adorning every table.

After everyone was served we played our parlor game What is it? The items included an antique cigar cutter, poison ring, darning egg, bustle form, cigarette purse, embosser, handkerchief skirt holder and an electric massage instrument.

This meeting marked the last day for administrator Clara Hudson. She is taking a new position in Virginia. Clara has done a tremendous job over the years at the Swetland Home.
It has always been a pleasure for me to work with her, she will be greatly missed in the society!

Her very capable daughter Marciana willl be taking over the administrator position at this time.
We wish them both much success!


LAND HOME

 

Published On: 12-05-2008 01:34 PM
Blog Category: No Category
Blog Tags: No Tags

STEGMAIER MANSION

April 2007-

Greg at NorthFork  Pets & Antiques was our much anticipated guest speaker for the  April meeting of the Victorian Friendship Society of PA.

It was held in the historic Stegmaier Mansion, in the newly restore library.

We appreciate Greg taking out of his busy schedule from his shop in New Hope, PA. The antique shop is filled with the most unique and unusual pet antique artifacts,   photos and books. Many of which we were delighted to experience during Greg’s program.

NorthForkPets.com is the largest online dealer of antique birdcages and antique veterinary supplies in the world. Many of their pet catalogs date back to the 1600’s.

Among the interesting and unusual items shown were Antique Bird Cages, Veterinary Tins, rare Victorian Pet Photos , old Veterinary Medicinal Bottles, rare Books, a Squirrel Cage and numerous antique Veterinary  Medical Tools.

Greg explained that pets were also popular in Victorian times, especially squirrels. Nearly every boy in America at the turn of the century had a pet squirrel.

It was common to have photo cards of children, or families, but very rare to have a picture of the family and the family pet. These are highly collectible and sought after today.

One of the veterinary tins Greg showed us was featured, along with several other artifacts, on the front cover of Antique Week magazine this summer.

Guests marveled at the unusual Vet tools and their uses. See photos for descriptions. Comments from the audience included:

It was a very interesting program, what a great niche Greg has found.

  I enjoyed it very much, the bird cages are beautiful!

My husband and I loved it, the old photos with the pets was something unusual to see. Greg has many wonderful things, we can’t wait to visit his antique shop!

 

For Additional Information-

WE'VE MOVED TO PENNSYLVANIA!
North Fork Pets And Antiques has just started the most wonderful antique shop.
Combining our 2 other TIAS shops, TearDrop Memories & Maidens Memoirs under one roof.
Our NEW shop's location... historic Bucks County Pennsylvania, along the scenic Delaware River.

NEW ADDRESS is;
12 West Mechanic St. 2B New Hope Pa. 18938. (215) 862-3401
Some orders may be delayed a bit. Call or email with any questions... WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU !

www.teardropmemories.com
www.maidensmemoirs.com
www.northforkpets.com
http://greg--north-fork.zoints.com/
http://teardropmemories.blogspot.com/
http://iantiqueonline.ning.com/profile/GregNorthForkPets

Published On: 07-24-2008 03:16 AM
Blog Category: No Category
Blog Tags: corset, waist, training, antique, victorian

For those that are into wearing authentic corsets,
I came across this wonderful corset site during a search.

They show how to properly put on a corset.
http://www.darkgarden.net/aftercare_howtowear.asp

Published On: 10-04-2007 06:02 AM
Blog Category: No Category
Blog Tags: victorian, friendship, society, pa, stegmaier, mansion, bed, breakfast, lisa, lewis, joe, matteo, greg, cristiano, north, 
, fork, pets, antiques, new, hope, 1870, swetland, home, tea, 

We Welcome You To Join The Victorian Friendship Society

Director Lisa Lewis & Proprietor of Stegmaier Mansion Joe Matteo Monthly Meetings of the Victorian Friendship Society: Monday, January 28th, 2008 at 7:00 PM The Swetland Home 885 Wyoming Avenue Wyoming Pa. We will be having a tour of the Swetland Home and learn what part the Swetland family played in local history. Light refreshments will be served. Bring an unusual vintage item for our parlor game, What Is It? We hope you can join us, and bring a friend! Sunday, February 3rd 2008 at 7:00 PM Frederick Stegmaier Mansion 304 South Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre Greg from NorthFork Pets will be our guest speaker. Come and enjoy seeing Antique Bird Cages and Victorian Pet and Veterinary items, some very unusual! Sunday March 2 , 2008 at 1:00PM Historic Prince Hotel & Restaurant 45 East Tioga St. Tunkhannock Pa. Antique shopping at Apple Wagon Antiques and in downtown Tunkhannock Victorian Friendship Society News - Holiday 2007  It’s hard to believe that we just had our first meeting in September and here it is almost Christmas! Our paid membership total is 16 with three more pending! My goal is 30 members by this summer. Membership is still open, so tell a friend! Victorian Society Planning Meeting Some Highlights So Far: September - Innaugural meeting at the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion. We were given a grand tour of the 1870 mansion and enjoyed wonderful refreshments in the old fashioned kitchen. October - Event at the Swetland Home; a Victorian Funeral. Yours truly was dressed in authentic 1890’s Widows Weeds as we portrayed a funeral in the late 1800’s. Jenn, another one of our members was also a Victorian  mourner. Our member Greg, who owns www.teardropmemories.com graciously loaned the Luzerne County Historical Society several mourning items from his collection to display. The most admired piece was the ornate Victorian hair wreath. Thanks Jenn & Greg for your help! November - Antique shopping & lunch in historic New Hope, Pa. A fine time was had by all in scenic New Hope, nestled along the Delaware River. The weather was great for this time of year and the fall foliage on the ride down was beautiful. Amazed at the myriad of shops, we hit the ground running. Everyone came home with some new little treasure, sometimes two or three! I bought a crystal beaded hanging candle holder. Peggy liked it so much she went back and bought the other one! The old fashioned bookstore was very enjoyable, as well as the various quaint shops, many already decorated in their Christmas finery. Lunch at renowned restaurant Esca was worth the trip to New Hope,  just for lunch. The owners and staff were very attentive and the food and ambiance were definitely to be remembered. Watching the fireplace as we dined was especially warm & inviting. The portions were very generous and everything was homemade, right down to the pasta. Dessert was the best with crème brulee, lime cheesecake and my personal favorite, decadent chocolate torte, drizzled with melted chocolate and clouds of real whipped cream. I’d go back to Esca just for the chocolate torte and espresso coffee! (A week later a friend and I did!) We stayed until night fall as we continued to visit each shop, each one more delightful than the other. Many of the shops along Main Street were lit up outside with twinkling lights. It was reminiscent of an old movie. We had such an enjoyable time that we plan to go again in the spring when the museum is open, perhaps even taking a horse drawn carriage ride through town. I’ll keep you posted on a future date. December - Our next home meeting at the Frederick Stegmaier Mansion is Monday evening, December 10th, 2007 at 7:00PM . We will play our parlor game, What is it? so remember to bring your unusual Victorian items, and bring a friend! Remember to check out my web site for Victorian articles and events. www.victorianalady.com E-mail: Lisa@victorianalady.com I'd love to hear from you!

Victorian Christmas 2007
Have you ever had so much fun that you didn't want to leave? That was the mood at our Victorian Friendship Society's December 10th meeting.

Held at the magnificent Frederick Stegmaier Mansion B&B, owner Joe Matteo did not
disappoint us with his gracious hospitality. The Mansion was decked out in its Christmas finery, as only Joe can do.

Refreshments were elegantly displayed on a large two tiered framed mirror as the serving table.
Friendship member Sue's Pecan Tassies were a favorite, as well as my frosted Banana Bars.
We encourage members epicurean generosity.

Other delights included shrimp cocktail, finger sandwiches, crudites with dip,
smoked almonds, candy, and Christmas punch in a stunning crystal pedestal punch bowl. We also availed ourselves to coffee, assorted teas
and gourmet hot chocolate.

Twas a perfectly cozy evening, despite the cold, damp weather outside.

In true Victorian fashion we sat in the luxurious 19th century dining room
and played a parlor game . Members were asked to bring unusual Victorian or Edwardian items for us to guess; What InThe World Is It?

You've never seen such an odd lot in your life. We were stumped by many of the items, a cuticle pusher, pocket door key, Ostrich feather curler, Victorian medical enema tools and the strangest item perhaps...a Victorian Ram Scarer.

In one of the photos I am holding up the two studded wooden balls on chain.  These were hung under a female sheep as graphic birth control. Believe it or not! Thanks to Greg from NorthFork Pets for that unusual item and great Society photography. 
www.NorthForkpets.com

The game evoked hilarious laughter at what we thought things were. The birth control balls were not an ancient necklace! You
get the picture. We had so much fun with the game that we are encouraging you to bring more vintage items to the next meeting in January at the Swetland Home.

After the game we delighted in refreshments, and a tour of the Stegmaier Bed & Breakfast Mansion, www.stegmaiermansion.com
for our new members. Our host and innkeeper Joe amazed us with his incredible skill on the baby grand piano. I have never heard The Carol Of The Bells played with such skill and cresendo. Bravo Joe, you are a man of many talents!

Thank you to all of the members that take time out of your busy schedule to make the Victorian Friendship Society a success. We are already forming new friendships and rekindling old ones.
I am delighted to be your director and look forward to a fun and enriching 2008.
We are still accepting new members for 2008!!


What In The world Is It? Parlor Game


  Victorian Friendship Society:
                                           

September 17th 2007, a warm fall night was perfect for the inaugural meeting of the Victorian Friendship Society.    Stepping through the massive double doors of the Frederick Stegmaier mansion,  members were transported back in time to the gaslight era of the 1870's. Grateful for the support, I was delighted to greet our 23 new friends.  

Innkeepper Joe Matteo,  gave us a detailed tour of the historic mansion. Joe began his painstaking restoration six years ago with an apartment building with plain bare white walls. What he accomplished in his restoration is nothing short of amazing. Highlights were the intricate wallpaper designs on the staircase, gilded moldings and ceiling medallions and the profusion of antiques throughout. Members were especially interested in the secret passageway on the first floor staircase landing. It was used during Prohibition by the Stegmaier family, famous for their gold medal beer brewery.

The main attraction was the enchanting recent bedroom addition. Friends fell in love with the romance and elegance of this room! One member said that she wanted to book the room for her anniversary. To better appreciate the bedroom and the rest of the mansion log on to www.stegmaiermansion.com .

After the picture-perfect tour we were treated to a charming display of refreshments in the old fashioned Victorian kitchen, complete with a coal stove and tall built in cupboards. We enjoyed assorted finger sandwiches, sushi arranged on a lovely framed mirror, savory spice cake, assorted cheese and crackers, mint fudge and decadent chocolate truffles.

A brief meeting followed; members decided by vote that we be a social society.
L isa Lewis will schedule and coordinate events.
Each person will be responsible for their own costs.

Discussed briefly;  upcoming tours at various Victorian events in Pa, hosting costume & tea socials, and featuring guest lecturers who specialize in the Victorian era. We will focus on Victorian antiques, lifestyle, architecture, Victorian fashions, food, etiquette, mourning customs, dance, and much more.

Exciting things are planned November 10th including a trip to historic New Hope, Pa.
There we will find some of the most wonderful antique shops, restaurants & gift shops in scenic Bucks County. A trip to the Parry Mansion Museum in on the agenda as well.

While there you might visit one of our member's shops; TearDrop Memories,
located at 12 W. Mechanic St. New Hope, PA.

 

Please click on Photo Album link above for more society photos.

Next Meeting:

Friday, October 12, 2007 From 6:00 to 9:00 PM

The Swetland Homestead Wyoming Ave. Wyoming, Pa

Death & Mourning Exhibit

Dressed in full Victorian mourning attire, our own Victoriana Lady,
Lisa Lewis will be the tour guide!

Contact me for more information:

Victoriana Lady

Lisa Lewis

(570) 655-8392

www.victorianalady.com