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Feb 18, 2024

A Pleasantly Purposeful Pickle Castor Surprise

Feb 18, 2024

The Victorian pickle castor was a beautiful, sterling silver, glass jar. But what exactly was the pickle castor? And what was it used for?

Feb 18, 2024

Feb 1, 2024

A Trip to Government House in Regina, SK

Feb 1, 2024

The Chair of our Board reflects on a visit to Government House in Regina.

Feb 1, 2024

Dec 27, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Twelve

Dec 27, 2023

On the twelfth day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… a cornucopia!

Dec 27, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Eleven

Dec 27, 2023

On the eleventh day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree…wax holly berries!

Dec 27, 2023

Dec 23, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Ten

Dec 23, 2023

On the tenth day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… gilded walnuts!

Dec 23, 2023

Dec 22, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Nine

Dec 22, 2023

On the ninth day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… a pin-prick card!

Dec 22, 2023

Dec 21, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Eight

Dec 21, 2023

On the eighth day of craft-mas, I made this for my tree… paper mache fruit!

Dec 21, 2023

Dec 20, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Seven

Dec 20, 2023

On the seventh day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… Wrapped Peanuts on a String!

Dec 20, 2023

Dec 19, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Six

Dec 19, 2023

On the sixth day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… tinsel!

Dec 19, 2023

Dec 18, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Five

Dec 18, 2023

On the fifth day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… a popcorn garland!

Dec 18, 2023

Dec 17, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Four

Dec 17, 2023

On the fourth day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree … Gingerbread ornaments!

Dec 17, 2023

Dec 16, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Three

Dec 16, 2023

On the third day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… a paper chain!

Dec 16, 2023

Dec 15, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day Two

Dec 15, 2023

On the second day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… orange pomanders!

Dec 15, 2023

Dec 14, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Day One

Dec 14, 2023

On the first day of Craft-mas, I made this for my tree… a dried fruit garland!

Dec 14, 2023

The Twelve Days of Craft-mas: Introduction

Dec 14, 2023

Each year, at the end of November, the Dalnavert Volunteers gather in the parlour and decorate the Christmas tree. This year I had the honour of witnessing this event. Music fills the air as the volunteers carefully place the ornaments on the tree. Of these ornaments, some are antique, some have been donated by past volunteers, and some are attempts at recreating the handmade ornaments of the Victorian era. I found this last type to be the most interesting as it led me to wonder, what did people hang on their trees before the commercialization of Christmas decorations?

Dec 14, 2023

Dec 1, 2023

A Christmas Comparison

Dec 1, 2023

When we think of Christmas, where does your mind go? Sitting by the fire, curled up with hot chocolate and a book? Or perhaps, decorating the Christmas tree, maybe even watching Christmas movies with your family; all of these are modern traditions but how did people in the nineteenth century celebrate Christmas? In this post, I will be discussing the differences between American vs British Christmas in the Nineteenth-Century.

Dec 1, 2023

Oct 28, 2023

Breast Cancer in the mid-19th Century

Oct 28, 2023

Before the end of breast cancer awareness month, we’d like to highlight how cancer affected people in the Victorian era and compare our modern understanding of the illness. In our educational programming and lectures, we explore the daily lives and struggles of the average person in Victorian times, often with a focus on how strict patriarchal society affected every aspect of women’s lives. In this case, it led to a severely warped medical understanding of women’s bodies.

Oct 28, 2023