Hatpins have been around since the Middle Ages when they were used to hold the wimples and veils of proper ladies and nuns in place. The objective, in those times, was to cover the hair. Initially, the pins were small, but as hats grew larger, so did the demand for larger pins. Ultimately, […]
Flagg Bros. Shoe Store, c. 1902
We know Victorian ladies carried reticules, but they hardly accommodated more than a hankie and a house key – hardly all their “necessities.” How did they manage? They used a clever little accessory called a chatelaine!
In honor of both Black History month (February) and Women’s History month (March), it is most appropriate to revisit two of the Gaslamp’s iconic structures, which impacted both women and Black history.
While most people envision Victorian romance as courtly and idyllic, some Victorians welcomed the romantic opportunity to be quite cruel. Bullying was nothing new to Victorians who chose to send “vinegar valentines,” which would stay around for about the next hundred years. These vinegar valentines did not send sweet nothings and sugary words, they were […]
Villa Montezuma (1887) 1925 K St. Corner of 20th and K Architect: Comstock & Trotsche Architectural Style: Victorian Queen Anne Builders: Cheney and Leonard When most people envision a Victorian mansion, they inevitably think of a Queen Anne edifice. It seems to typify the golden age between 1880 and 1910, which stressed opulence, imagination, gaudiness, […]
Grab your fellow leprechauns and don your green attire! Tradition returns as an authentic Irish celebration takes over the streets of San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter district. Full of Ireland’s humble jest and rowdy cheer, this treasured San Diego tradition brings back more Irish faire, lucky libations and outrageous shenanigans than ever seen before […]
Okay! Time to talk Victorian slang. Our modern version of slang incorporates abbreviations, purposeful misspellings and distortions of the misspellings! Most of us are familiar with LOL, TMI, Krispy Kreme, and Kool Aid. Contemporary young people recognize kew! (cool) and deez (these), which they will tell you is NBD (no big deal). Victorians were no […]
When looking for a quick and easy Christmas present, many of us grab a bottle of wine, toss it in a bag and add a bow. The Victorians were no different. Consequently, many of us end up with several bottles of wine, as did they. Not a problem – depending on the quality of the […]
Join MartyO for workshops and lectures! Registration required. Find out more here. Space is limited. Grab your tickets today! April 20, 2024 At The Villa Montezuma Bustle Up! Love Victorian bustled clothing? Learn to sew your own bum roll. April 27, 2024 At The Gaslamp Museum at the Davis-Horton House […]