Happy Holidays!

December is here already. Soon we will be saying "Happy New Years!"
But before that happens, let me wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season.
From my family to yours.
Lady Estelle

A Step Back Into A Dickens Christmas

I know it is to soon to think about Christmas, but it is my favorite time of the year. I go back in time and imagine a true Victorian Christmas. Victorians loved this time to decorate their homes, entertain the family, go for a ride in the buggy to visit the neighbors. Best of all was the carolers at the door.

This Saturday on November 26th, I went to the small town of Pascoeg, Rhode Island, where they brought those moment of Christmas past back to life. It felt like a place right out of a Charles Dickens story.
My friends and I dressed the part and went for a Victorian stroll though the streets.

The shops where all decorated and ready for the visitors to stop by and do their Christmas shopping..

There was even a puppet show going on in the street for the children to see.

My favoirte was the merry Dickens carolers. This really put me in the Christmas spirit.

                                               *Wishing all a happy and health holiday*

History of cooking by African Americans

I attended a wonderful historic exhibit at the Culinary Arts Museum in Providence.

The exhibition tells the story of African American cookery in my state of Rhode Island from the 1700s to the present day. I was so impressed.

There were many  artifacts, memorabilia, photographs and testimonials that gave life to how African Americans cooked and served food as slaves,.as newly freed men and women and who became successful entrepreneurs in the culinary trades                                                                                                                        

John B. Goins, “The American Colored Waiter.” (Chicago: The Hotel Monthly, 1902.)

Arriving in the ports of Newport and Providence, slaves learned to cook with the leftovers or scraps of their owners’ kitchens. By the 1850s, when slavery was abolished in Rhode Island, they used their skills as cooks and servants to earn a livelihood.



These are the stories that are not told in the history books. I was like a child trying to adsorb all this knowledge in one scoop. I was not able to fully read all the information that this exhibit had to ofter. I will need a return visit.

I meet an inspiring woman by the name of Sylvia Ann Soares, that  thought by the way I was dressed that I was part of the exhibit. I assured her I was not. I  informed her that I was a living history reenactor, but tonight I was just a student of history. She was very helpful in how I could get more information by getting involved with the Rhode Island Historical Society and The Rhode Island Black Heritage Society.
We talk for quite some time and I am sure she will be instrumental to my historic growth.

A Mock Funeral at Hearthside

On Saturday, October 29th, the mock funeral of Simon E. Thornton will take place at the historic Hearthside.
The mock funeral will be conducted by a preacher giving an authentic 19th century service. Among those in attendance will be mourners dressed in period mourning attire.

  The coffin will be carried out by pallbearers to the awaiting antique hearse, followed by a grave site service in the yard.  Tours of the house and exhibit will continue until closing at 5:00 p.m.

Reservations for the funeral are suggested.  Admission is $10/person; children under 12 free.  Call 726-0597 to reserve a spot for this unique event!

See gravestone carving this weekend at Hearthside | The Valley Breeze

See gravestone carving this weekend at Hearthside | The Valley Breeze

gravestone carving this weekend at Hearthside

LINCOLN - Master stone-carver Adam Paul Heller will demonstrate his craft of decorative 19th-century gravestone carving at Lincoln's historic Hearthside House, 677 Great Road, on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. The demonstration is part of the "Gone But Not Forgotten: Victorian Funeral and Mourning Customs" exhibit taking place throughout October at Hearthside.
   Hearthside is in mourning with black draping on the front porch, mirrors are covered in black, clocks stopped at the time of death, a wicker coffin and flowers set up in the front room, and exhibits of post-mortem photography, mourning attire and jewelry, antique embalming table and equipment, and funeral decor.
Visitors are given a "favor" of a funeral cookie, wrapped in white paper and sealed with black wax. Docents dressed for mourning will provide guided tours. Admission is $10.
For more information, call 401-726-0597 or visit www.hearthsidehouse.org

A Historic Walk through Providence

I do enjoy taking a morning or afternoon walk through the most historic part of my town. My favorite part is College Hill.

At the bottom of the hill sits this beautiful Church. .

The First Baptist Church in America has been on College Hill in downtown Providence since 1638,

This memorial is to recognize the Black Africans that attend and worshiped in the church in the founding days.

As you go to the top of the hill you can look down a see the center of the city which is Providence. This church and area was founded by Rodger Williams in the 1600's.

Roger Williams purchased this land from two Narragansett Chiefs, and named his settlement Providence in thanks to God.

This park is located at the top of college hill. Roger Williams Park. What a spectacular view!

I spend many quite days taking historic tours in this area.

One of my favorite new found home was the Steven Hopkins's place. It sits right on the side of the hill.

This quaint little colonial house have a well kept garden that is great  for peaceful outdoor reading.

It is charming and enchanting.

Take a walk though my town.