Victoriana Lady Estelle: February 2011

The Last Day of February!

Today is the last day of February and we have only twenty days until Spring!
Ha ray!!!!

Hopefully we will see no more snow and this will be just a remembrance.

My wish for all my blog visitors and followers is, to "have a glorious last day of February"!

Make sure that some time today that you sit and enjoy a pot of your favorite tea and think the cool weather away.
Much admiration, Lady Estelle

Hearthside News

HEARTHSIDE HISTORY: Did You Know?

This is the 12th in a series of history articles being featured throughout our Bicentennial Year.

This month our feature is on Frederick C. Sayles, owner of Hearthside from 1901-1903.

Frederick Clark Sayles was a native of Pawtucket, born in 1835. His father was Clark Sayles and his mother Mary (Olney) Sayles. He had a brother named William F. Sayles.
W.F. and F.C. Sayles Company Complex

Frederick and his brother ran the W.F. and F. C. Sayles Company (Moshassuck Bleachery), bleaching and finishing cotton shirtings and sheetings. Their bleachery was the largest and best equipped establishment of its kind in the world. Glimpses of the mill complex may still be seen today in Saylesville, where Chapel Street, Walker Avenue andSmithfield Avenue meet.

Frederick Clark Sayles obtained Hearthside in 1901 for ten dollars. Prior to that in 1889, the Sayles family had purchased the 99 acres of land around the house, so Frederick's acquisition recombined the land and house.

Frederick C. Sayles

In addition to managing these bleacheries, Frederick also supervised the Glenlyon Dye Works and Lorraine Worsted Mills, which had the reputation of producing the finest ladies' dress goods that have ever been manufactured in America, challenging comparison with the best French makers of that time. Frederick also organized the Baltic Mills Company in Baltic, Connecticut, where he built a mill admired by many as the most handsome mill in New England. He was the president of the Baltic Mills Company until his death.
After the death of William Sayles, his son Frank Arthur Sayles bought out the business. William Clark Sayles, Frank Sayles' older brother, probably would have succeeded his father, but he had died of tuberculosis in 1876 during his sophomore year at Brown University. His parents gave Sayles Hall at Brown in his memory.
Frederick married Deborah Cook Wilcox in 1861. They built a home in 1868 which overlooked the city of Pawtucket near the Providence line and was known as Bryn Mawr. Together they had 5 children.
It was due to Frederick and his brother that Saylesville prospered as a village of Lincoln, and in 1880, the Sayles Memorial Chapel of the Congregational Church was organized.
In 1885, Frederick Sayles was chosen as the best representative of the people and elected as the first mayor of the city of Pawtucket. He served two terms during which time the city rapidly increased in population. Mr. Sayles was always interested in charitable causes and gave generously to the community, including a public library building to Pawtucket as a memorial to his wife.

Mariposa Farm horses shown at Hearthside
Because of his love for horses, Frederick went into the stock raising business about 20 years before his death purchased a farm about three miles from Pawtucket composed of several hundred acres on both sides of Great Road, that included the Butterfly Factory. The finely-appointed Mariposa (Spanish for "butterfly") Farm included a large number of trotting mares and dams of trotters of speed. His first purchase was the famous Palo Alto stallion, "Campbell's Electioneer" and later he bought the son of Campbell's Electioneer, "Symboleer," whose record of 2:11 as a 2-year old was the best in its time. Among other noted horses owned by him were "Sable Wilkes," "Consuelo S.," "Wiseburn," "Handspring" and "Alix", queen of the turf. He probably had the finest collection of great brood mares ever under one owner in his time. The stock from the farm gained many prizes. Some of these famous horses are buried on the farm.

Auction booklet for horses from the Mariposa Farm

In 1901 he took ownership of Hearthside that bordered the farm. When Frederick died in 1903, the house was sold to the Oak Hill Land Company, a holding company consisting of Sayles' heirs and descendants. Frank Sayles, son of William and nephew of Frederick, purchased the Mariposa Farm from the Sayles estate and continued to operate the farm, making many improvements to the land.

Frank Sayles

The former Butterfly Factory across the street was purchased by Frank Sayles and turned into a riding academy during the 1920s and 30s.

In 1926, following a fire which devastated the Chase dairy farm next door to the Mariposa Farm, Benjamin Chase purchased Frank Sayles' farm (Sayles retained the Butterfly Factory), and it became known as Chase & Butterfly Farm, with over 100 Holsteins in the herd, an onsite dairy and bottling operation, and milk delivery throughout the Lincoln, Cumberland and Pawtucket areas until 1965.

(note: Benjamin Chase' granddaughter is Kathy Chase Hartley, currently working to preserve Hearthside and Great Road's history as president of Friends of Hearthside).

Become a Fan of HEARTHSIDE!

Our Mission: The Friends of Hearthside is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and stewardship of Lincoln's historic Hearthside homestead, as well as the other adjoining Town-owned historic sites along the Great Road.

Remember: There's always something happening at Hearthside

New Ball Gown!

I just received a new Ball Gown in the mail today!

Click here to see more.....

http://stores.ebay.com/Victorian-Attire

This 2 piece gown is made of a heavyweight taffeta with a satin backing.
It is a beautiful soft yellow. It is trimmed with wide white lace.
The bodice has a lovely off the shoulder fit. The wide puffed sleeves are gathered onto a sleeve band. It has a deep V-shaped hemline in front and a shallower v in the back. it closes in the back with a hidden hook and eye closure. It has been hand hemmed. The bodice is fully lined.

Up-Coming Events for March. 2011

I am very busy preparing for my March reenacting events. The first one is on March 12,2011. The Hearthside House will be opening it doors to the public, for the first tour of the year.
Come take a sneak preview of this lovely home. I will be your hostess and tour guide for this event.
All are welcome.

Find more photos like this on A True Victorian/Edwardian Tea Lover's Corner

My Vintage stereo 3D photo viewer and cards.

It is so much fun to invite friends over on a Sunday evening and enjoy the Vintage stereo 3D photo viewer with a glass of good Cherry. It better than the TV, which I do not have one in my Parlor.

I remember back in April 2009, I asked the question "Are you a ephemera?"
Well I am! I love to collect old post card, photograph, paper dolls and stereo views.

If you have a antique Viewer and want to collect more stereo views, this is an excellent website to go to:
http://www.stereoviews.com/

I have just a small collection right now, but it seem to becoming a popular event at my house. I will be ordering more to keep the interest up.

This one is my favorit card. It's called The Dance.

It has a number 1173.
Copyrighted, 1898, by T. W. Ingersoll. It has a lovely explanation of the dance ethics in the 1800's.

I find this collecting of old viewer card very educational and relaxing.

Peaceful Sunday

I am home today just sitting here enjoying the sun shinning through the window. I am at peace with today and myself. All is well. As I sit and read all my blogger friend's posts, I see they are well also. I want to take this time to thank you all for stopping by for a visit to the "Modern day Victorian Lady". You are all my inspiration.

Much Love to:

Passions For The Past

http://passionforthepast.blogspot.com/

Eastlake Victorian 

http://eastlakevictorian.blogspot.com/

My Old Historic House

http://myoldhistorichouse.blogspot.com/

A Beautiful Life

http://emsbingy.blogspot.com/

Aspiring Homemaker 

http://aspiring-homemaker.blogspot.com/

My Lord, The Lady, Her Cherubs, And Tea 

http://mylordandlady.blogspot.com/

The Rustic Victorian

http://the-rustic-victorian.blogspot.com/

The House of Poleigh Nasise 

http://houseofpoleighnaise.blogspot.com/

The Victorian Parlor 2

http://thevictorianparlor2.blogspot.com/

 Iglass Slipper

http://1glasslipper-carie.blogspot.com/

 Robin's Egg Bleu

http://robinseggbleu1.blogspot.com/

Mary;s Heart 

http://theheartofmary.blogspot.com/

Denise's Delights In Her Coffeeberry 

Cottage

http://knuckled54yahoocom.blogspot.com/

I will be adding more friends and followers throughout the day, as I read more. 

Much Valentin's Day love to you all!

Lady Estelle

The Ball Giclee Print by Victor Gabriel Gilbert at Art.com

The Ball Giclee Print by Victor Gabriel Gilbert at Art.com

I absolutely love this painting. I must have it to hang on my wall.

Lincoln's Birthday

It is observed on the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln 's birth on February 12, 1809.
Born near Hodgenville, Kentucky, U.S.—died April 15, 1865, Washington, D.C.) 16th president of the United States (1861–65), who preserved the Union during the American Civil War and brought about the emancipation of the slaves. Read more .....
http://www.biography.com/articles/Abraham-Lincoln-9382540

Sign of Cabin Fever!

I feel that it is useless to complain and whine, but I am getting enough of the cold and ice. I truly love the comfort of my apartment, but it is time to get out and spread my wing.
I am in need of company, badly.

I am getting excited because I have so many events plan for March, 2011.
It's just a matter of waiting the last of the winter out. This is the hard part.
The Hearthside House has been closed for the last to months. All the snow kept us away from the Mansion. There is so much to do there to get it cleaned and ready for the first Open House of the year.

I also have a Civil War Ball planned in March.
I have been frantically looking for a new Ball Gown. I do not want to make one even though I have all the time. It's not about the time when it comes to a gown, it the skill. My sewing skill are not ready for that (yet).

HERE IS MY WISH LIST FROM RECOLLECTION:
http://www.recollections.biz/

Please come and tell me which one you think would be the bast. I love them all. I love every piece of clothing that is made by Recollections.

Robert Burns Dinner!

Tonight my good friends are attending a Robert Burns Dinner. I am not able to attend tonight, but remember it from last year. For those who have not had the pleasure of attending one, it is most enjoyable and a historic event.


	The Burns Suppers have been part of Scottish culture for about 200 years as a means of commemorating our best loved bard. And when Burns immortalized haggis in verse he created a central link that is maintained to this day.

http://www.rabbie-burns.com/the_supper/index.cfm.html

"In order to enjoy this video, turn of my music at the end of the page".

Who was Robert Burns?

Born in Alloway, Ayrshire, in 1759 to William Burness, a poor tenant farmer, and Agnes Broun, Robert Burns was the eldest of seven. He spent his youth working his father's farm, but in spite of his poverty he was extremely well read - at the insistence of his father, who employed a tutor for Robert and younger brother Gilbert. At 15 Robert was the principal worker on the farm and this prompted him to start writing in an attempt to find "some kind of counterpoise for his circumstances." It was at this tender age that Burns penned his first verse, "My Handsome Nell", which was an ode to the other subjects that dominated his life, namely scotch and women.

http://www.rabbie-burns.com/the_man/index.cfm.html

"In order to enjoy this video, turn of my music at the end of the page".

A Vintage Hat with a Pink Rose!

Vintage hat with Pink Rose, originally uploaded by victorianlady1800.

This is one of my favorite Vintage hat. I got it 2 years ago in a little shop in Providence. Unfortunately, that little shop is not there any more. Not many Vintage places around Providence. You have to travel to Boston just to get a cute little hat like this.
I had to display this because in am anticipating "Spring". According to the the groundhog today, "it will come early this year".
Oh please. I am dressed and waiting!

National Freedom Day

National Freedom Day

Always February 1st

National Freedom Day celebrates freedom from slavery, and recognizes that America is a symbol of freedom.

National Freedom Day was established in 1948 to remind us that America stands for, and is a symbol of freedom for all people. The roots of this special day come directly from the end of slavery and the signing of the 13th amendment outlawing slavery.

Celebrate this day by reflecting upon your own freedoms that you enjoy by being fortunate enough to be in America. Millions of people in the world are not free.

Origin of National Freedom Day:

Major Richard Robert Wright Sr., a former slave, created National Freedom Day. He believed that there should be a day when freedom for all Americans is celebrated. President Lincoln signed the 13th Amendment outlawing slavery on February 1, 1865. So, February 1st was chosen to celebrate National Freedom Day.

On June 30, 1948, President Harry Truman signed a the bill proclaiming February 1st as National Freedom Day.