Titanic Memories at the Monroe County Historical Society's Annual Victorian Tea

Author/historian Victoriana Lady Lisa was honored to be the guest speaker at the annual Victorian Tea Luncheon for the Monroe County Historical Society in PA recently. It was their 20th year with 230 guests attending. The audience was delightful and extremely attentive with many questions afterwards.

Victoriana Lady's program included personal stories and photos of a Titanic survivor from PA whose daughter is a good friend of hers. Popular clothing and accessories from the era when the Titanic sailed  from her antique traveling museum collection were shown with descriptions of what was worn and why.

The Victorian era was from 1837-1901 when Queen Victoria sat on the throne. The Titanic sailed and sank during the Edwardian era when her son Edward sat on the throne. There were many similarities to both eras as one overlapped the other.

Thelma Thomas from Lebanon survivor of the Titanic from Wilkes'Barre, PA

Thelma Thomas' grave stone reads Survivor Of Titanic Ship

Charles Thomas from Lebanon who perished on the Titanic

Victoriana Lady Lisa & friend Mae Thomas whose mother Thelma & uncle Charles Thomas were on Titanic

Newspaper headline of the sinking of the Titanic

 1912 coin commemorating the sinking of the Titanic

A necklace made of coal from the Titanic 2009 exhibition in NYC

The audience at the Victorian Tea enjoys a Titanic Memories program by author/historian Victoriana Lady

There were several Victorian re-enactors at the Victorian Tea Titanic Memories

Victoriana Lady Lisa with the winner of the Victorian hat contest at the Victorian Tea Titanic Memories



I received this wonderful letter from the executive director Amy Leiser-

Dear Victoriana Lady Lisa,
On behalf of the Monroe County Historical Association, I would like to thank you for presenting a wonderful program for our 20th annual Victorian Tea & Luncheon at the Chateau Resort in Tannersville, PA. I am delighted to inform you that this year's program, Titanic Memories, was especially well received. All of our guests thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon and your presentation. You did a wonderful job and kept the interest of 230 guests-not an easy task!


The Victorian Tea & Luncheon continues to be one of our most important fund raisers and your contribution to our event was greatly appreciated. It was a pleasure to work with you. The Monroe County Historical association is very fortunate to have your support and friendship. Thank you for all of your hard work and for making the 20th annual Victorian Tea a great success for our organization.


Cordially,
Amy Leiser
Executive Director

Victoriana Lady Lisa & Monroe County Historical Society executive director Amy Leiser

For more information about their annual Victorian tea events- www.monroehistorical.org

Victorian Bathing Costume

I was recently asked to model for the Gaslight Gathering's Steampunk calender for their upcoming convention. The theme is 19th century bathing costumes, since I have one in my antique traveling museum collection I was happy to oblige. It will be perfect for my upcoming book The Fashionable Victorians as well. Photos are by John Thomas Grant taken at the beach in Rockport, MA.

I have several antique ladies magazines in my collection and came across this sweet poem in the Metropolitan Magazine circa 1900 which is fitting...

When Edith Goes To Swim

A calm comes over the rolling surf,
The beating gulls cease to skim,
And the serpents rise with curious eyes
When Edith goes to swim.

A hush comes over the noisy beach,
They flock to the ocean's rim,
And they linger there in the bracing air,
When Edith goes to swim.

When Edith goes to swim my head
Goes swimming as never before,
I envy the sand, and the ocean's grand,
And the sky and shell strewn shore.

her suit is so scant, and it fits so well,
Her figure both plump and trim,
There's more to be said but I lose my head,
When Edith goes to swim.

Titanic Memories Tea Event at the Van Liew Suydam historical home in Somerset NJ

Author/historian Victoriana Lady Lisa spoke at the annual ladies tea hosted at the Victorian Van Liew Suydam historical home in Somerset NJ. The program was in honor of  the 100th anniversary of the sinking of The Titianic. 

The lovely tea table settings for the Titanic tea are as follows-

Featured were Edwardian dresses, hats, purses and other accessories from the early 1900's that would have been worn on the ill fated ship from Lady Lisa's personal collection.

The personal stories and photos of Thelma and her brother in law Charles Thomas were also shared with the audience. Victoriana Lady has the privilege of knowing Thelma's daughter Mae Thomas who kindly shared her family history.

Charles Thomas who perished on The Titanic was from Lebanon

Thelma Thomas Titanic survivor from PA

Titanic survivor Thelma Thomas' grave stone in PA

Mae Thomas daughter of Titanic survivor Thelma Thomas & Victoriana Lady Lisa at a previous event

Final Thoughts Program At Historic Green Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn NY March 31, 2012

Final Thoughts-Eternal Beauty In Stone by author/photographer John Thomas Grant

Author/photographer John Thomas Grant

John Grant and I will appear at the historic chapel at Green Wood cemetery (where we first met) in Brooklyn NY on March 31st, 2012. John will speak about his new book release Final Thoughts-Eternal Beauty In Stone and I will give a presentation about Mourning rituals, fashion & etiquette while portraying a Victorian Lady dressed in antique Widows Weeds. For more information www.green-wood.com

Twas Hard To Give Thee Up...

The celebrated Mourning Angel from Final Thoughts taken at Green Wood Cemetery Brooklyn, NY

Victoriana Lady Lisa portraying a Victorian Lady in Antique Mourning Attire

Victoriana Lady Lisa's Antique Traveling Museum Mourning Program Artifacts

For more information on the cemetery event- http://www.green-wood.com

For more information on Victoriana Lady Lisa's Traveling Museum Programs- www.Victorianalady.com

You are most cordially invited to my new shop Victoriana Lady Lisa's Primrose On Cape Ann Emporium...

...a specialty shop exclusive to Victorian, Edwardian and vintage antiques and collectibles including- China, crystal, jewelry, clothing, accessories, books, photography, home decor and much more. Our selection will include a mix of old and new merchandise. We will also introduce, promote and list fine crafts from other national & international artisans. There is definitely something for everyone here! Please visit often as merchandise will be added daily and please tell your friends. Thank you for kindly for your support.


Warmest regards,
Victoriana Lady Lisa

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoriana-Lady-Lisas-Primrose-on-Cape-Ann-Emporium/296011643768002

A Victorian Day In Elmira NY/ The Painted Lady B&B

This past weekend John and I had some wonderful rest and relaxation and made some new friends at The Painted Lady in Elmira, NY What a stunning inn! http://www.elmiraspaintedlady.com/

The innkeepers were so hospitable and attended to our every need. Here is our friend Samuel Draper who gave us the most outstanding tour of the historic district, cemetery where Mark Twain is buried and Elmira college grounds. For a personal tour contact Samuel- http://www.historicnearwestside.com/

The highlight of this parlor is the stained glass and framed silk on the walls.

Chatting with the owners Butch & Marilyn, they made us feel so welcome and the breakfast was amazing!

I cannot have Gluten so Marilyn had Gluten free muffins and toast for me. :)

Scrumptious yogurt with fresh berries and granola

Everything was so delicious!!

Dessert was decadent warm brandied bananas...mmm!!

Our room, what a comfortable bed, I slept like a baby!

Fireplace in our bedroom

In the upstairs foyer

Outside of our room in the hall

John and I stayed at the Painted Lady since I was presenting a program at the Park Church in Elmira. The Victorian furnishings in the church parlor were magnificent!

The Victorian Fashions program display 

Many thanks to Samuel Draper for organizing this great event

My friend Samuel Draper who is the tour guide for the historic district of Elmira pulled out all of the stops as we toured the beautiful historic district.

    

John and I at the Mark Twain study c.1800 on the grounds of the Elmira College, NY.

Samuel Clemens aka Mark Twain's grave site in Wood Lawn Cemetery