The Greenbrier Historical Society announces its newest exhibit, “Mourning in America” at the North House Museum in Lewisburg. The exhibit explores the strange and moving rituals and traditions that surrounded death in the 1800’s: why Americans behaved as they did and why they eventually changed their mourning ways.
On display will be fascinating artifacts from the Victorian period, each with a story to tell. Take a close look at widow’s weeds, hair work jewelry, a miniature coffin shop and more. Discover how President Lincoln, “resurrection men” and even Queen Victoria influenced the way Americans dealt with death and mourning. Compare a stitched mourning sampler for a child with a pencil drawn mourning picture by a murderer.
Please join us for our special exhibit opening on Sunday afternoon, Mar. 29. Every room in the museum will be decorated to reflect the Victorian theme of loss and remembrance. The Scandalous Widow, Mrs. Anderson, will entertain in the parlor at 2 and 4 o’clock and recount her episodes of mourning. Light refreshments will be served featuring homemade funeral biscuits.
The Mourning in America exhibit continues through May. Museum hours are Monday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The North House is free and open to the public; as always, donations are appreciated. For more information e-mail museum@greenbrierhistorical.org or call the museum at 304-645-3398.
