Styles change through time. The evolving styles of writing, music, dress and hair are all reflected in the Heritage Center's collections.

Styles of writing, both character formation and word usage indicate the periods when they were created. Those of us who work with written documents of different eras have become familiar with the different forms of cursive writing. For example, early cursive writing appears to use an "sf" to represent "ss", as in "misfion" (mission). It takes a while, but soon readers adjust and recognize these words. Cursive from the 18th and 19th century tends to be rounded and ornate than modern standards. Today, cursive writing is not taught in most states, students print or type. The meaning of words evolves over time as well. In the past, a word like "anxious" was used with a slightly different tone. It conveyed a situation or person as less serious and more curious rather than the seriously, worrisome meaning we associate with the word today.

 

Art and music have different styles which also evolve. The Center has collections which reflect people's taste in art and music. Most notably are the many files on local orchestras and music. Post Civil War, military and religious music were popular. War veterans continued to perform. One local musician, A.B. Bowering had been the bandleader of the 30th Virginia Infantry. It is said he organized the music played at Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson's funeral procession. In 1890 he wrote that he had played the last music that General Robert E. Lee heard as he left Appomattox after the surrender in April 1865. Music lesson s were an acceptable way for unmarried and widowed women to earn a living. Concerts, plays, poetry readings and recitals were also popular. There was an emphasis on the classics. Several collections at The Center contain programs of these events, performed by local citizens.

 

Style is most evident in the photographic images. It is possible to determine a reasonably accurate date of a photo based on the clothing, jewelry and hair styles of the subjects. Most people dressed up in their best for formal photographs. This was true for not only women, but men as well. Early images show women in dark, most likely black, dresses. Photography became more prevalent in the second half of the 19th century, a time heavily influenced by Queen Victoria (1819 - 1901) of Great Britain. The Queen wore only black mourning attire for the rest of her life after the death of her husband, Albert, the prince consort (1819 - 1861). Necklines were high and ruffled; sleeves were long, puffed and full at the shoulder, narrow at the wrist. Hair was pulled up or back with curls or braids, often augmented with wigs and falls. They wore dangling earrings and large broaches. Often the jewelry was mourning jewelry. Men mostly wore dark suits, collars, and narrow ties or bow ties. Men's hair was usually short and often parted in the middle. Mustaches were popular as were neatly trimmed beards.

Children were another matter. Children of both sexes wore frothy white dresses for their formal pictures until they were three or four years of age. Many had long curly locks. It is often difficult to determine whether the photo is of that of a boy or a girl. The "Bo Peep" look also appeared to be popular as evidenced in bridesmaids' and little girl dresses. The "Grecian or Roman" look appeared in the early 20th century. The photos below illustrate some of these styles.

Please contact The Center if you can help identify any of the people in the pictures; they are from our collection of unidentified photos.