Victorian winter fashion blended warmth with style using layers, fur and tailored designs. Learn how women dressed to survive 19th-century winters.
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Find out how X-rays were discovered, see the earliest X-rays, learn where the name came from, and meet Wilhelm Röntgen – the man behind the innovation.
What did the stylish, trendsetting women of the late Victorian age wear? Take a look back here at Victorian fashion from 1890, courtesy of the old Bloomingdale’s and H. O’Neill and Company catalogs.
See several sets of authentic paint sample cards that feature Victorian house colors, showing how people back in the 1800s decorated their home exteriors!
These beautiful Victorian Valentine’s cards were carefully and creatively handcrafted, and were so much better than what you usually see today.
From the vermillion living room to the elegant foyer, this 1960s New York home had played-to-the-hilt, marvelously uninhibited color.
When this restored Victorian living room was made new again in the 1950s, the owners didn’t want to superimpose contemporary design on it, instead choosing to return it to its former glory.
In this elegant 1950s dining room, a classical antique style is used throughout — with just a few touches of more typical fifties flair.
There are lots of elegant wallpaper patterns in this Victorian-style entry hall, giving this room from the late 1940s a real 19th-century look.
The Christmas decorations in Victorian churches could be extremely lush Victorian Christians were faithful practitioners of their religion, and took special care decorating their churches
Um, our ancestors were weird, y’all. Maybe we’re just missing some context that would make these bizarre Victorian Christmas cards make sense?
Samuel Colt’s Connecticut mansion also known as Armsmear, was built on a huge plot of land owned by the inventor of the famous gun. See what this grand and spacious Victorian home was like in its heyday!
Check out this collection of beautiful antique Victorian fireplaces – detailed mantels and classic grates – with an elegant style to suit homes of the late 1800s.
With this book, you can color in 44 classic Victorian houses from the 1880s and 1890s, when many elaborately-decorated homes were built in America. See what’s inside!
San Francisco’s great old Sutro Baths was a huge structure with several enormous swimming pools, viewing galleries, museums and more, right next to the Golden Gate. See inside the Victorian marvel here!
Look at some of the loveliest old Victorian hairstyles for women, from back when they were called coiffures, and when getting the perfectly elegant look took hours to manage.
More than 100 years ago, Victorian corsets were practically required for women – to emphasize certain parts of the body, and to minimize others. Here’s a look back to what ladies back then were wearing!
Between the covers of this book, you will find 47 coloring pages showing full-length fashion plates of tea gowns and walking dresses, evening costumes and dainty frocks that were popular in the United States during the late Victorian era — specifically, 1895 to 1899.
In Victorian Fashion Scenes from the Late 1800s, find 47 coloring pages showing more than 80 different examples of the tea gowns and walking dresses, evening costumes and dainty frocks that were popular in the United States during the late Victorian era.
From the era before electricity, automobiles and radio come these very old-fashioned recipes for Victorian Christmas side dishes. Get a taste of the holidays, 1800s-style!
Antique Ladies’ Home Journal magazine cover: March 1890 Featuring “Mrs Harrison’s Daily Life in the White House”, “A Man’s Idea of Home Comfort”, “Hints on
After years of growth, Detroit became a major transportation hub, and many gorgeous Victorian mansions were built for wealthy residents.
See Victorian house floor plans and exterior views of 7 antique homes from the Civil War era, designed by prominent architects and built during the early 1860s.
What were the most fashionable Victorian hairstyles in the 1890s? Glossy plaits, graceful coils and twists, and the fluffiest and most coquettish of bangs,
A Victorian garden party may extend from afternoon into evening, or it may be entirely an evening affair — and here were the best ways to set everything up.
Inside this book, you can take a look back to the 1870s — a time when many of the most ornate and elegant homes were built in America! Not only was the architecture remarkable, so,were their bold colors.
Most of these vintage designs were intended to provide suggestions for embroidery or other needlework to adorn clothing and linens, or to for the kind of knicknacks people desired long ago. We wanted to restore these antique graphics and create from them coloring pages that would appeal to hobbyists and artists today.
Take a look back at more than 100 antique stickpins, from the simple gold and silver pins to those with pearls, diamonds, opals and other precious gems.
That big front wheel bike was known as a penny farthing or high wheel bike, and they were all the rage in the Victorian age. In fact, many preferred them over conventional bikes. Here’s why.
Before the Civil War, popular Elegant Victorian dresses were not just several feet wide and many layers think, but there were different dresses for dinner, evening, carriage rides and beyond.
What was Victorian etiquette was like for men? There were rules for everything – so take a trip back to the 1880s and see what was what way back when.
A look back at some of the most famous historic hotels in Florida — the most magnificent resort hotels of the Victorian era, and where they stand now.
These bits of well-preserved vintage graphic artistry come from the simply-named Paints Oils Varnishes catalog from F. W. Devoe Co. of New York, which was
The most charming homes of the later Victorian era were a sight to behold. In this book, you can color many examples of the elaborately-decorated houses built in America so long ago.
While we can imagine a Christmas without snow and without presents, it’s almost impossible to envision the holiday without the main meal. Here’s what a traditional Victorian Christmas dinner was like.
Here’s the White House Christmas menu from the 1880s – with dishes like Mrs Harrison’s Sausage Rolls, Mrs Kenna’s Regent Punch and Mrs Cullom’s Chocolate Creams.
The beautiful art tile stoves seen here were used to heat homes in the Victorian era, and came in many different styles. Take a look!
What is the average lifespan for men and women in America? Among the curious things shown by the census of 1880 is the new data relative to the US life expectancy.
Bold, rich coloring for houses of the Victorian era The day when nearly every building was painted white, and window blinds green, has passed away.
In the United States, divorce increased two and a half times as fast as the population, and 2/3 of the divorces were granted on petition of the wife. See more Victorian divorce statistics here!
Celebrate with a vintage New Year’s dinner! This 1891 menu features roast duck, baked macaroni and fruit pudding, plus classic recipes to try today.
Letter-writing isn’t as much of an art as it once was. Books had to be written about it years ago, and ‘The Ready Letter-writer’ was as infallible and as essential as a cookbook is to many people nowadays.
Bloomingdale’s originally opened in 1861 when the Bloomingdale brothers began by selling hoop skirts on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Then in 1872, the two opened
In these antique Victorian engagement rings, in addition to diamonds, you’ll also see the brighter hues of rubies, emeralds, sapphires and turquoise.
Around the turn of the century, cigarette smoking was on the increase among the women — and it only became more prevalent after that. Here’s a look back!
Vintage wedding dress fashions from 1846 19th-century Victorian wedding dresses (1850) Bride from the 1800s The Diamond Wedding at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, October 13, 1859
In 1906, a short film called ‘A Trip Down Market Street’ ended up being a valuable record of old San Francisco just before the huge earthquake and fire destroyed much of the city.
Who remembers Peter Coddle, Shoot the Hat, and Snap? They were antique board games that provided hours of entertainment before radio and TV. Find out more here!
Dishwasher history starts with Josephine Cochrane, who invented the first automatic model in the 1880s. Her creation changed kitchens forever.
The vintage Spirograph toys let you create millions of colorful, startlingly beautiful extraordinarily intricate designs in infinite variety – all you needed were pens, paper and the kit’s plastic gears and wheels. Take a look!
Explore the transformative world of 1920s clothing, where fashion embraced freedom and modernity, reflecting the dynamic spirit of the Roaring Twenties.
These vintage selfies, several of which date back to the 1800s, prove that the desire to capture our own images has been around for a long time. Here’s how people took self-portraits with old cameras long ago!
On these pictures of Christmas trees in the 70s, cuddly creatures, lace, ribbons, flowers, Santas and toys, were all radiantly spotlighted with the gleam of shining ornaments. Take a look back here, and get a little retro inspo for your holidays!
Take a look back at some sweet vintage Christmas dresses for little girls from the 60s and 70s captured in vintage ads and photos.
Inside the gorgeous Thomas Edison house: A glimpse into his unique 1916 home life at Glenmont Estate
The Thomas Edison house in New Jersey housed both new inventions and priceless antiques – and was where his children were born, and where he died.
Ever wondered what home redecorating was like back in the early 1900s? Here, see some popular Edwardian wallpaper styles and home decor color combinations!
These retro Christmas ornament craft ideas may be more than 50 years old, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less festive than you’d expect to see today! Take a look at how easy they are to do.
These are some of the very first reports of the Loma Prieta quake back on October 17, 1989 that devastated so much of the San Francisco Bay Area.
Biltmore is a huge private estate and tourist destination in Asheville, North Carolina with 250 rooms spread over four acres of floor area, and it has 43 bathrooms and 35 bedrooms. See it here!
These beautiful antique kitchen ranges from the 1920s & 30s were huge and heavy. See vintage ads and photos that showcase these unique appliances!
Here, look back at the rediscovered art of stenciling, plus see dozens of examples of traditional stencil patterns from throughout history!
When we look back on the 1930s, we think of a rather bleak decade that was largely defined by economic struggle and political upheaval. Believe it or not, however, a lot of fashion from this time was the very most in glamour and opulence.
Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion is filled with 999 retired spooks and spirits who have taken up permanent residence at this California theme park. Sneak a peek!
See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
Look back at what antique school supplies looked like back in the 1800s, along with popular teaching materials from the Victorian era!
These vintage tips to identify antique silver come from the 1940s – and include diagrams, descriptions and photos of lots of vintage silverwork.
Before air conditioning and refrigerators existed, see some of the ways people managed to stay cool in summer during the great New York heat wave of 1911!
Inside the rambling 160-room Winchester Mystery House, doors lead into blank walls, staircases end in midair, trap doors spring to the floors below, and elevators rise through the roof.
Take a look at these modest old-fashioned swimsuits for men and women, seen on real beachgoers and early movie actresses, with many high-quality and colorized vintage photos!
100 years ago, public swimming pools were vital for summer survival The charm of vintage public swimming pools from the early 1900s transports us back
Take a stroll back to the late 1800s and early 1900s to see some of the grand homes and New York mansions that lined Fifth Avenue.
See how dress styles have evolved from the 1600s to the 1990s Explore the evolution of dress styles from the 1640s to the 1990s, beginning
Tiddlywinks (originally Tiddle-dy Winks) seems like a simple kids’ game… but there’s a lot more to it! Find out about it – including how to play – here.
Summer of Love & the Haight-Ashbury district: The intersection of peace, music & revolution In the beating heart of the mid-60s, the Summer of Love
Explore how vintage drugstores and the pharmacy apothecary once sold not just tonics and elixirs, but also narcotics like cocaine & heroin with ease.
Hop in the time machine for a whirlwind tour of 20th-century hotel rooms that are like stepping into a living history book!
The old Sears Wish Book catalog was perfectly named – it was where kids and adults alike would dream about all the things that Santa (or a special elf) might bring for Christmas. Find out its history here!
Get ready for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays with the help of these old-fashioned stuffing recipe, made with simple ingredients and fresh foods.
Dive into the nostalgia of 80s toys! From Transformers to Strawberry Shortcake, explore the iconic playthings that made the 1980s a decade of fun.
Remember when the designer trend that reigned supreme on most 1980s prom queens were Gunne Sax prom dresses? We have lots of memories here!
From 1948 to 1971, The Ed Sullivan Show was synonymous with entertainment & a central hub for talent — introducing new acts & creating unforgettable moments.
Light up your memory with some some great old home décor – more than 200 antique and vintage table lamps from the beginning of the twentieth century to its end!
Millions know ‘Say, Say, Oh Playmate’ – also known as ‘Playmate’ – but few today know much about the rhyming song & hand clapping game. Find out more here!
In the 60s & 70s, boho living rooms evolved to become significant expressions of personal identity, embodying a spirit of freedom and uniqueness. Take a look back at some of this beautiful retro home decor!
What were really old cars like around 1900? Here, take a look back at some of the earliest automobiles that were on the market at the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th.
Before the advent of modern refrigeration, there was the charming, wooden icebox in the corner of the kitchen – the epicenter of cold storage from the mid-19th to early 20th century.
Have you ever marveled at the charm and character of antique secretary desks? Let’s take a dive into the world of these stunning, multifunctional pieces!
Here, see how 1970s lingerie, bras, panties, girdles, and shapewear looked back in the day, along with the broad range of colors and patterns that were available!
Here’s a look back at some authentically vintage 1950s bedroom decor, featuring fabulous mid-century elements like colorful retro carpets, modernist furniture, and old-fashioned bedspreads.
Some vintage 1940s interior design decor trends veered into the overdone, like the ‘glam’ Hollywood-inspired look here – filled with satin, ruffles & bows.
Listen up: You might think our Victorian forebears did everything with grace and elegance, but have you considered that may be fake news? In reality, the dames of high society were basically just influencers.
From uprights to baby grands & more, these antique pianos are works of art!
New York City’s luxurious old Waldorf-Astoria hotel was among America’s first big hotels. When it was built during the Victorian era, it was considered the finest hotel in the world – and soon became the most famous, too.
As long as antique buttons have adorned our clothing and shoes, people have been collecting them. Made from a multitude of materials – from metal to bone, wood to plastic – buttons are miniature pieces of everyday history.
Direct from ’50s fashion experts come these tips for calculating a woman’s body measurements for the ideal figure. See how much things have changed!
Supergraphics: The epitome of 1970s charm Warning! Scrolling too fast through this post may induce a psychedelic experience! With that out of the way… The
See the surprising reasons so many old silent movies have completely disappeared — leaving us to wonder what cinematic treasures have been lost to the ages.
The A-frame house design is a tried and true style, and was especially popular for second homes and vacation cabins in the ’60s. See several retro A-frames here!
