Past Periods Press » Pictures

Education

Mrs Marvel — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:50:13 +0000

Recently we were asked to put together an educational program for a senior center. Mrs Brewer (aka Kathy) contacted some of our friends in the Civil War reenacting community to find out if they would be interested and available. Due to the very busy 2011 season, it took us almost a year to get this date on the calendar! But once we had our program finalized, we were very excited because we had a very well rounded program.

Widow Peters discussed Victorian Mourning

Sergeant Pavitch speaking on weapons and military life

Mrs Marvel discusses infant clothing

Mrs Marshall spoke on Victorian etiquette

Mrs Brewer coordinated the program

All in all it was a fabulous program with many many questions and quite a large number of people who lingered afterwards to view artifacts and talk to the speakers. For me, the best part of the event was hearing that my four-year-old daughter had been speaking to one of the guests who was handling an antique photo album and said “we aren’t allowed to touch but we can look.” I must be doing something right!

Be sure to view our photo stream on Flickr by clicking here or on the thumbnails over on the right. We can put together an educational program for you too…just let us know!

The Spring Campaign Has Begun

Mrs Marvel — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 04:57:21 +0000

April 1861

Dearest Mother,

I write to let you know that we are safe. The fighting came close to town as the Union boys are quite infused with the fervor to trounce the Confederates quickly and send them back home. We were saddened to see many of our good friends forced from their homes and living in small tents and lean tos to keep themselves away from the danger of stray bullets and cannon fire. We had set up our bookshop and unloaded our parlour furniture by the side of a small country lane in the town of Prado, where we camped overnight with the Bowlins, the Coffins, and several others as neighbors.

The tide of civilians wandering toward the action was good for our business as those not yet shocked by the explosions of cannon fire and the destruction of muskets were still in a festive air. Soon they returned past our small camp, sombered by the great loss of life and the threat to our Union, yet willing to acquire a book of poetry or patriotic songs to gird their spirits.

And yet through this deep sadness and fear we found the camaraderie of good friends and family. The children played on the old living room rug thrown down on the ground with blocks and dolls, while Sister and Mrs. Marshall and I entertained one another as best we could by reading aloud and singing songs. Widow Peters and her niece found their way to our humble shelter and assured us that even though the armies are involved in death while on the field, they quickly find their way to her mercantile and others to spend their wages on trinkets for loved ones at home and the necessities for daily living. This I take as a good sign that this engagement will be one of few and the war quickly settled.

Once the armies passed on from our location we were able to return to our home, to find it had but one broken window and a few extra holes for ventilation that cannot be found on the original plans. A traveling photographer passed through as well and I am just received of the enclosed photographs which were delivered with to days letters.

Stay well, Mother, for I send you our love. Should the battles wander close to home perhaps you could retire to Aunt Elizabeth’s home in Pennsylvania.

Your loving daughter,

Mattie

Mrs Marshal and Mr Hendon

Your granddaughter outshines me

Miss Rachel Bingham and Logan Bingham

Melody sits quietly with a snack

Baby Shoe Pattern

Mrs Marvel — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 18:57:59 +0000

Dearest Mrs. Castillo,

I so enjoyed visiting with you Saturday last and playing with your precious new baby boy Maximiliano! He will certainly be a delight to you and Mr. Castillo, and a great friend to his older brother Alejandro. The baby days flee so quickly, do they not?

As promised, I have enclosed the pattern to make the baby shoes. They are quite versatile and I made a pair for Melody once she began toddling around. You will find these shoes very easy to assemble and comfortable for the baby as well. While the shoes can be made for a baby who is not walking, you could also make them with a leather sole, as I did.

First, trace this pattern here to the size of Maximiliano’s foot and then cut it out of wool or any other soft and fleecy material. You should stitch around the inside curved section of the shoe top so that it does not stretch out of shape. Next, take the right sides together and sew up the single straight edge of the shoe top with a narrow seam. That piece goes at the heel. If you will be making a slipper to wear indoors, you can sew the sole on wrong side to wrong side. If you will be making a shoe to wear outdoors, place them right sides together. Stitch all the way round with a narrow seam and then cut the curves, then turn the shoe right side out. Next you will sew a snap into place on the strap. I have enclosed a few photographs to assist you.

I hope to visit with you again soon and watch little Max grow up into a fine young man!

Your friend,

Mattie Marvel

Shoe Upper showing stitching

Shoe stitched and notched before turning

Turned shoe showing leather sole

Infant shoes, wool felt with sueded leather soles

Mrs Marvel — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 03:35:42 +0000

My dear friend Maggie,

I thought you might like this photograph of us that was made in August while we picnicked in the park. I thought it such a lovely image of the four of us, I had one made for each you, Caroline and me. I hope we will meet again soon, the miles between us are too great, but our letters keep us close to heart.

Yours truly,

Mattie

Many thanks for the photographs

Mrs Marvel — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 19:18:49 +0000

Dearest Maggie,

I have received the lovely photographs of your relatives and am quite astonished that we have access to such a technology! To imagine that one’s image can be so accurately captured and then mailed to friends and relatives thereby sharing our very features with the world is a miracle we must cherish. I hope to one day sit for a photographer with my darling Melody but I fear she will not sit still for the long duration required. We shall see. I understand these have also been the subject of great discussion at the Ladies Photography Group! Thank you so for sharing of your family with me.

Your friend,
Mattie

Please click here to see more of these family images!

A letter to our dear cousin

Mrs Marvel — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 20:01:17 +0000

Dearest cousin,

Faithful reader, you are so kind to grace these pages again! My simple words and phrasing shall hopefully express all of the sights and sounds to take in during the recent unpleasantness which took place at Huntington Beach, California. As we heard tell, troops gathered on the afternoon of Friday last, with hundreds encamping to fight to the very death protecting our fair town. There were many represented among us civilians, to include our esteemed President Lincoln, the traitorous Senator Davis, the Widow Peters, numerous shops and tradesmen, the hospital, the Georgia Relief and Hospital Society, D/D Tavern, and of course us, as we took refuge in Mrs Brewer’s Parlour.

Saturday the tensions between the opposing armies mounted as the temperature rose with the sun. I fear that many good soldiers were felled by the intense humidity, which hovered around 80% though falling. They did not engage until nearly half past one, and the fighting lasted through the rest of the day with a brief lapse mid afternoon. Twilight found the camps settled however, and music was apparently heard throughout.

Miss Melody spent the day Saturday exploring the town, collecting sticks and leaves, and entertaining us with music played with her plate and spoon. Her Papa took her walking and the two shared lemonaide, a hot dog, and a new fangled confection made of cake, cream and a chocolate coating, with the unusual appellation of “Ding Dong” although I am uncertain how this is to remind us of church bells ringing. Sunday however, she escaped the heat and humidity with Father, while Mother was tending shop along with Mrs Marshall. Mrs Brewer certainly endeavored to care for us amidst the heat and herself suffering from intense fatigue and ague. Mr J— spent the day in the parlour with us and escorted Mrs Marshall out shopping in the afternoon. Thankfully, the heat was relieved a bit and we were able to enjoy our day more fully. I spent a portion of the day reading to Mrs Brewer from Edgar Allen Poe, the story of Marie Roget. A frightening escapade, that! but I look forward to my next visit with her to continue the story all the same.

With the falling barometer, the tension between the two armies was also lessened and the battle between them, although continued from the day previous and skirmished and engaged throughout the day, was resolved no later than three in the afternoon, allowing a tactical victory to the Federal troops but a victory of morale to the scandalous Confederates who overwhelmed the artillery unit which had taken up position at the area closest to the the town. It was a fearful moment to see our boys in blue overtaken with butternut, gray and brown. Fortunately for us, the Southern men were gentlemen in their deeds and allowed the gunners to live, and they did not sack the town.

My dear, I must close this now, for Miss Melody begs my attention, as a young girl must of her mother. I hope that I will hear from you in the near future with news of home in New York. Until then, I remain,

Your faithful cousin,
Mrs Mattie Marvel

Post Script, I enclose herein a carte de visite which was made during this eventful weekend by a traveling photographer, of Mrs Marshall resting within Mrs Brewer’s parlour. The fatigue of this terrible war can be seen in her eyes. We are all tired of the uncertainty and pray to the heavens that peace will soon be restored to our great nation!
MM

Prado Day 1 Has Been A Delight!

Mrs Marvel — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 04:55:23 +0000

Saturday April 4 has been an absolute delight! The day was sunny and in the low 70s, some slight breezes, many visitors and reenactors all around. We were honored to host President Abraham Lincoln in our parlor and shortly after he departed, President Jefferson Davis graced our humble dwelling.

Melody in front of our parlor on Saturday April 4th

Melody was the star of the show and was invited to be in a fashion show in the morning. The afternoon brought shopping, visiting with friends, a gift from President Lincoln (a penny), and play with her wooden train and blocks. Mrs Brewer provided a generous larder with sliced ham, delicious dark bread, fruit and sweets for luncheon. Mrs Marshall played nursemaid to Melody when Mrs Marvel and her own mother went for a stroll around town.

We are eagerly looking forward to Sunday’s activities, which will include a tea gathering for the ladies, checkers and cards at home.

Here’s a picture of us

Mrs Marvel — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 20:17:06 +0000

The debut of our store, Marvel & Marshall

Welcome to Past Periods Press

Mrs Marvel — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:27:49 +0000

Thanks for stopping by our site! We are a small group of friends who enjoy reenacting history, mainly the Civil War era (1861-1865) and the more generalized Victorian era, which encompases 1870 onward. Look for us at events in Southern California, including the festivals at Calico Ghost Town (Yermo, CA) and Civil War events in the Orange County, southern Los Angeles County and SW Inland Empire area. Check our calendar for events we plan to attend. See you around!