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Blog Category: No Category
Entry 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.
http://Victorianateasociety.zoints.com
