Andrew Lowe Research Paper
THE ANDREW LOWE HOUSE AND VICTORIAN FUNERAL CUSTOMS
The Victorians are known for their fascination with death. During the Victorian era (1837-1901) they took death very seriously, no expense was spared when arranging a proper funeral. During this time most American’s lives became restricted to the family. As the emotional focus of people narrowed to the immediate family, the significance of the final act expanded.
We will take a closer look at Victorian funeral practices by focusing on one home and the death of Andrew Lowe in 1886.
The Andrew Lowe house was designed by architect John Norris in 1847. It is a three story building in the Italianate style with brick over stucco, cast iron balconies and a fairly rigid floor plan. It has a classical entrance with massive doors.
The first story is set below street level. The family dining room, kitchen, pantry and servants room were placed on this floor. The second floor was the principal floor of the home. There were parlors, dining room, library and butlers pantry. The top floor had five bedrooms and a bathing room. Wide halls extended the length of each floor and a stairway joined the parlor and bedroom floors. Andrew Lowe bought the land and started building in 1847. While …show more content…
If Andrew Low’s wife survived him she would have had guidelines for proper mourning etiquette. A widow was in full mourning for one year and was not allowed to exit her home with out full black attire and a weeping veil. Second mourning lasted nine months and allowed minor ornamentation. Mourning jewelry of jet or hair from the deceased could be worn. Taking a lock of hair and weaving it into knot designs for use in a broach was popular and a way of keeping a loved one close and remembering them. Half mourning lasted three to six months with a very gradual easing into color. During the civil war so many men died that women were often in perpetual
The Victorians are known for their fascination with death. During the Victorian era (1837-1901) they took death very seriously, no expense was spared when arranging a proper funeral. During this time most American’s lives became restricted to the family. As the emotional focus of people narrowed to the immediate family, the significance of the final act expanded.
We will take a closer look at Victorian funeral practices by focusing on one home and the death of Andrew Lowe in 1886.
The Andrew Lowe house was designed by architect John Norris in 1847. It is a three story building in the Italianate style with brick over stucco, cast iron balconies and a fairly rigid floor plan. It has a classical entrance with massive doors.
The first story is set below street level. The family dining room, kitchen, pantry and servants room were placed on this floor. The second floor was the principal floor of the home. There were parlors, dining room, library and butlers pantry. The top floor had five bedrooms and a bathing room. Wide halls extended the length of each floor and a stairway joined the parlor and bedroom floors. Andrew Lowe bought the land and started building in 1847. While …show more content…
If Andrew Low’s wife survived him she would have had guidelines for proper mourning etiquette. A widow was in full mourning for one year and was not allowed to exit her home with out full black attire and a weeping veil. Second mourning lasted nine months and allowed minor ornamentation. Mourning jewelry of jet or hair from the deceased could be worn. Taking a lock of hair and weaving it into knot designs for use in a broach was popular and a way of keeping a loved one close and remembering them. Half mourning lasted three to six months with a very gradual easing into color. During the civil war so many men died that women were often in perpetual