Category: HHHistory Blog - Anita Mae Draper

Giant Victoria Lily Pads

3/5/2020

Woman playing violin, standing on lily pad at Shaw's Garden (Missouri Botanical Garden), in front of Linnean House, c1905. Courtesy of Missouri History Museum, Public Domain

The woman in the above image is playing her violin while standing on a giant lily pad. Sound incredible? It's not. The leaves of the Victoria regia can grow up to 8 feet across depending on conditions. With a fascinating underside that allows it to support weight, many historical images show people standing or sitting on the giant leaves.

If you're interested in learning more, and seeing historical images about this wonderful plant that grows in the wilds of South America and many of the world's botanical gardens, check out my post on the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog.

Valentine Ephemera

2/5/2020

Valentine in form of a bank note. Philadelphia c. 1852. Library of Congress, Public Domain

With Valentine's Day coming up I'm showing three pieces of Valentine ephemera including picture and word puzzles.

And keeping with the topic, I'm giving away a print copy of The Secret Admirer Romance Collection which contains 9 novellas, including my love note story, Love in Store. (Bookmark in the right column shows the book and love notes.)

So head on over to the Heroes, Heroines, and History blog and get yourself entered for the giveaway by leaving a comment before midnight, Feb 5th.

Historical Snowman Pics

1/5/2020

Winter, Penrhyn Stanlaws, artist, 1907. Source: LOC Prints and Photographs Division

Snowman, snow woman, snow people photos in history...that's what I researched for my 1st post for 2020. So join me at www.hhhistory.com on January 5th when I bring you through illustrations, photos, a woodcut, and more the history of a fun winter activity.

Giveaway on Sleigh Bells Post

12/5/2019

Lady in cutter, Calgary, Alberta, ca 1910. Courtesy of Glenbow Archives

I love the sound of sleigh bells and their modern jingle bell cousins, and that's why I'm featuring them on my December 5th post at Heroes, Heroines, and History blog.

Did you know that driving a sleigh without bells is still a law in some areas? I even found a video showing different sleigh bells and how the sound changes according to weight and size.

If you do get a moment to visit my post on the HHH blog today, enter for a chance at my giveaway.

Hope to see you there.

Historical Pumpkin Pics

10/5/2019

It's October 5th and that means it's my day to blog at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog. Stereograph, glass lantern slide, greeting card, magazine cover, and photographs from the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Simple images to show that not much has changed when it comes to growing and showing those treasures of autumn, the lowly and fantastic pumpkin.

POW Uses Water Wings to Escape

9/5/2019

And here I thought water wings was a modern invention. Nope. Try 100 yrs ago.

Join me today at Heroes, Heroines and History as I delve into the origin of those colorful swim aids we call water wings.

Early LifeSaver Equipment

8/5/2019

Wallis Sands Life-Saving crew, New Hampshire wearing "storm suits" with cork life vests, undated. Public Domain

The life vests worn in the image above were filled with cork and covered in canvas. Buoyant, yes. Comfortable, not so much.

Join me at Heroes, Heroines and History as I show Life Saver Equipment of the early 1900s.

Female Lifesavers Fashion Photos

7/5/2019

Women's Life Savings Corps in Action. All heave together. Miss Alice Goodman and her sturdy Red Cross Life Savers of the San Francisco, Y.W.C.A. 1920. LOC Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C., Public Domain

Following my last HHH post featuring the fashion of male life savers at the turn of the century, this month we're looking at female life saver fashion and its progress over a few short years. That is, once the 20th century came about and people put the practicality of saving lives above the modesty required in the passing Victorian age.

So join me over at the Heroes, Heroines and History blog for Early Life Saver Fashion Part 2 and let me know what you think.

Early Photographs of Lifesavers

6/5/2019

SS Nord Shipwreck Victims, 1913, Public Domain courtesy of UofW Freshwater and Marine Image Bank

Following my posts on sea bathing and the beginnings of life saving societies and swimming lessons, I'm over at Heroes, Heroines and History posting images of the fashion changes in the world of lifesavers, or the people we know today as life guards.

In this instance, fashion changed to allow freedom of movement for limbs while running and swimming without the hassle of heavy clothing dragging the rescuer down underwater and putting his/her own life in danger.

So my post, Early Life Saver Fashion Part 1, shows the male lifesavers since they posed for photos first, and my next post, on July 5th,will show the women.

Christmas Decorated Bandstands

12/5/2018

Hastings Park Bandstand, Lexington MA. Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

I'm ending my series on Historic Bandstands with Christmas lights, greenery and wintery snow over on the Heroes, Heroines and History blog.

I've enjoyed the research that went into this series, although it was frustrating when I found wonderful images but couldn't post them due to copyright. Yes, the bane and protection for every author.

I've especially liked discovering that many historic bandstands are still in use for concerts throughout the summer, and for Christmas festivals at this time of year.

So come over and visit me at HHH for Snow Bandstand Gazebos . Yes, that's actually the title. A bit mouthy, but it covers the images I've chosen for this final Bandstand post.