Friday, April 7, 2017

Victorian America and Easter Eggs





Victorians celebrated holidays in familiar, and not-so-familiar, ways as we do today. I wrote a lengthy and encompassing blog about Victorians Celebrating Easter last year.

http://www.kristinholt.com/archives/4275


Since then, I've come across more about the symbolism of Easter Eggs, how they were used as gifts, instructions to paint a delicate broken egg as a flower vase for an Easter gift....

An Easter gift of a broken egg shell? Really?

The Oshkosh Northwestern of Oshkosh, Wisconsin on March 28, 1896.


Interesting, isn't it? Here's another that caught me off guard. Did you know our Victorian American ancestors had Egg Roasts (some kind of supper party) for Easter?

The Columbus Weekly Advocate of Columbus, Kansas on April 18, 1901.

Were Easter Eggs judged? I don't know.

Black Hills Weekly Pioneer of Deadwood, South Dakota, April 3, 1880.



A newspaper article from 1890 shares more Victorian and pre-Victorian Era Easter Egg traditions. Articles such as this, explaining the history of holidays, events, occasions, and observances were common in Victorian newspapers.

Kansas Farmer of Topeka, Kansas, June 11, 1890. Part 1.
Kansas Farmer of Topeka, Kansas, June 11, 1890. Part 2.
Kansas Farmer of Topeka, Kansas, June 11, 1890. Part 3.
Kansas Farmer of Topeka, Kansas, June 11, 1890. Part 4.



And there you have it! Victorian Easter Eggs--as calling cards (actually, a gift for Easter), a party meal, and the history of the Easter Egg as presented to Victorian Americans.

What do you think about today's Easter Egg traditions?

http://www.KristinHolt.com/

Hi! I'm Kristin Holt, USA Today Bestselling Author.
I write frequent articles (or view recent posts easily on my Home Page, scroll down) about the nineteenth century American West–every subject of possible interest to readers, amateur historians, authors…as all of these tidbits surfaced while researching for my books. I also blog monthly at Sweet Romance Reads, Sweet Americana Sweethearts, and Romancing the Genres.

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Copyright © 2017 Kristin Holt LC 


6 comments:

  1. Very interesting, thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks, Margie. I'm glad you enjoyed this Victorian view of Easter Eggs.
      ~ Kristin

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  2. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  3. Thanks for sharing. Enjoyed it. Doris

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    1. Thanks, Doris!
      Our shared love of Victorian-era history is a fun connection. Thanks for stopping by.
      Kristin

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