For Victorians, death was a part of life, giving it essential meaning, and they created elaborate rituals around the passing of a loved one. From 12n through 3pm on October 25, and 26, Historic Jacksonville, Inc. will be offering 1-hour “Victorian Mourning Customs” tours beginning every 20 minutes at Jacksonville's 1870s Beekman House Museum. Located at 470 E. California in Jacksonville, it was home to the town’s richest and most prominent pioneer family and remains completely furnished with family artifacts.
The house will be decorated as a Victorian house in mourning— coffin in the parlor, clocks stopped, mirrors draped in black, mourning wreath on the door, Victorian mourning clothing, and hair jewelry and artwork on display. Costumed docents will share how the Victorians honored their “dearly departed” through fashions, home décor, funeral etiquette, and social behavior, as well as superstitions, séances, mementos, and a few bizarre popular practices of the time.