The Easter parade as we know it today, like many customs, has its origin in the Victorian era. Victorians were devout, and after attending Easter church services, were known to stroll through the streets showing off their Spring finery. The Easter bonnet became very popular during this period. And – it would have been impossible […]
Every March 17, the Gaslamp Quarter becomes the emerald jewel of San Diego, when ShamROCK arrives. San Diegans don green clothes, drink green beer, indulge in leprechaun-worthy shenanigans, watch parades, eat corned beef and even dye their hair green. Revelers celebrate all things Irish, and claim to be Irish, if only for a day. The […]
It’s almost time again – the time that Hallmark refers to as “the most happiest time of the the year-“ or at least, the most profitable. You guessed it – Valentine’s Day, and time to select just the right card for your special someone. Valentine’s Day can be traced back to the Christian martyrs (St. […]
New Year’s resolutions are not a modern concept. Indeed, the Victorians and Edwardians had definite ideas about getting a fresh start during the impending new year. Surprisingly, some of their notions closely mirrored 21st century desires to reform and be one’s best self. Not surprisingly, a great deal of skepticism abounded about the general ability […]
Tis’ the season again, and time to select the perfect Christmas gift for your special someone or child. Will it be diamonds, a luxury car, a fully furnished Barbie dollhouse? What will be your ultimate luxurious gift? For wealthy Victorians this question was a no-brainer. They would shop for the most expensive and beautiful porcelain […]
Most of us simply can’t get going without our morning (and afternoon) dose of caffeine to power us through the day. One might think this is a modern trend brought about by the influx of coffee houses during the 80s and 90s, but our Victorian forefathers were way ahead of us. And – they weren’t […]
A Little History of the Purse! After a most successful afternoon of e-shopping for purses and handbags, a history of these necessities, and in some cases, obsessions, seems appropriate. Believe it or not, the real reason for needing a purse early on wasn’t for shopping, but for socializing. As calling on friends in the afternoon […]
The days are definitely getting warmer, the kids are out of school and its’s that time of year eagerly anticipated by many – the summer movie season! This year there’s something for everyone – dinosaurs, toons, high flying top guns and a new era of Downton Abbey – absolute bliss! Our Victorian ancestors were no […]
Determined, intelligent and resourceful, these ladies were a vital part of rapidly developing early San Diego.
Nineteenth century Victorians had some very strange, to our eyes, norms. They included unusual occupations, such as leech collectors, and peculiar and, in many cases poisonous, beauty rituals, including cosmetics containing arsenic, for one. Their style of architecture with its myriad hidden creaky staircases, turrets, secret rooms, underground tunnels and dark corners certainly mirrored our […]