Posts by Mary Winters
Victorian Tea at the Pettigrew Museum
I had so much fun talking to readers at the Pettigrew Museum. Thanks to Melissa Godber and staff for their hospitality–and delicious tea!
Read MoreThe Era of the Crinoline
Can you imagine getting dressed in the age of the crinoline? Crinolines were originally attached to a petticoat, but later the cage crinoline left legs relatively unencumbered. Although at first welcomed for its light weight (multiple petticoats could get heavy), the crinoline had its hazards, including fire. Lady Dorothy Nevill recounts being close to a…
Read MoreWords and History
Most likely you’ve heard the phrase “flash in the pan” and know what it means. But did you know the phrase was being used in the Victorian era? I wouldn’t have except I’d seen it used by Anthony Trollope, a great writer in the Victorian era. He also used the word “fly,” which meant a…
Read MoreFans
Did you know fans were used to relay secret messages in the Victorian era? A fan across the cheek meant love, a fan through the hand meant hate, and a fan across the eyes meant apology. In fact, there were so many messages that a fan maker printed this leaflet to keep track of them…
Read MoreOne-Winged Dove
Recently, I noted a dedication to the One-Winged Dove in one of the books I’m reading, and it made me smile. I came across the One-Winged Dove in my research of the London Times agony column and always wondered about her situation. For those of you who don’t know, the London Times published “advertisements” on…
Read MoreThe Love of Travel
I live a quiet life. Most days, I’m reading and writing with my cats beside me. The hallmark of my day is a walk with my dog or a cup of good tea or my children’s conversations about school. But I love travel. Not the physical aspect, mind you. I’m rather terrified to fly. But…
Read MoreA Christmas Carol and Christmas Pudding
One of my favorite seasonal reads from the Victorian era is A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. My family and I enjoy the performance of it at the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis. I’m happy to share we’ll be going back for the first time in three years this weekend. I’m in love with the music,…
Read MoreHalloween Fun
The Victorians had many interesting Halloween traditions, including the mirror game. I first came across the game by noting all the images of young women staring into mirrors on Halloween greeting cards. What were they doing and why? After a little digging, I found different variations of the game, which was meant to predict…
Read MoreAgony Columns in the Victorian Era
Murder in Postscript releases March 28, 2023, and my amateur sleuth, Amelia Amesbury, writes a weekly column under the pseudonym Lady Agony. You might be asking yourself, why Lady Agony? Dear Reader, I’ll tell you. Murder in Postscript is set in London, England, in 1860. At the time, periodicals were being produced in record numbers…
Read MoreWelcome to Mary Winters’ Website
Welcome to Mary’s new website and her blog! Check back soon for her first post.
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