Daily Reminder by the Standard Diary Company

Founded in 1850 by Edwin Dresser and Eben Denton, what eventually became known as the Standard Diary Company has modest beginnings in two rooms over a storefront on Massachusetts Avenue in Cambridge. The company produced small diaries and memo books on hand-turned presses from paper carried from Boston by the owners.

As the popularity of the diaries grew, most significantly during the Civil War and World War I, the company adapted to its growing needs. In 1857 Standard Diary leased more spacious quarters on Magazine Street where, in 1873, it was incorporated as the Cambridgeport Diary Company. In 1889, it purchased land on the corner of Blackstone and Albro Streets to locate a new factory and headquarters among related institutions including The Riverside Press and Little & Brown Bindery.

Designed by architects Chamberlin & Whidden, the four-story brick structure at 24 Blackstone Street was built to accommodate all the company's needs. A two-story warehouse was added in 1929.

from Blackstone Project Team 

 

This diary was kept by Elliott Fontaine in 1912 and now serves as inspiration for this blog going into 2012!  This journal will be on display at the WF accompanied by a more legible copy of Mr. Fontaine's entries.   

Victorian Yuletide: Mr. Fontaine's Christmas Carol

Elliott Hill Fontaine was the youngest living son of Mr. Noland Fontaine.  He was given his name in honor of his grandmother, Mary Elliott-Fontaine and his father's business partner Mr. Napolean Hill.  Elliott Fontaine passed away when he was only 34, but not before he could live the most colorful life.  Full of love and riches, his life brought him many happy times.  He was a very giving and loving gentleman.  He loved his family and created an extended family of his friends that he enjoyed entertaining.  Mr. Fontaine had an early and  sincere appreciation for the arts and literature.  So much, in fact, that the wildly popular The Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was given to him by his grandmother as a Christmas gift.  This handsome leather-bound book  has green silk lining and  gold gilded pages.  The pages are still in excellent condition, though yellowed.  Just inside is a small presentation note with a large seal of the Fontaine family crest.  The copyright is 1902, clearly making this a gift given over the age of 18...which would be appropriate for the time. 

The book itself is on display at the WF inside the small, formal parlor on the first floor.  It rests on Mrs. Fontaine's writing desk that was generously given back to the mansion by the family's estate. 

Victorian Yuletide: Christmas Presents for Gentlemen

Gentlemen do not care for the pretty trifles and decorations that delight ladies; and as for real necessities, they are apt to go and buy anything that is a convenience just as soon as it is discovered. Knickknacks, articles of china, etc,. are generally useless to them.

A Lady cannot give a gentleman a gift of great value because he would certainly feel bound to return one still more valuable and thus her gift would lose all its grace and retain only a selfish commercial aspect.

What, then, shall she give? Here is the woman's advantage. She has her hands, while men must transact all their present giving in hard cash. She can hem fine handkerchiefs-and in order to give them intrinsic value, if their relationship warrants such a favor, she can embroider the name or monogram with her own hair. If the hair is dark it has a very pretty, graceful effect, and the design may be shaded by mingling the different hair of the family. We knew a gentlemen who for years lost every handkerchief he took to the office; at length his wife marked them with her own hair, and he never lost another.

The bare fact of rarity can raise an object commercially valueless, to an aesthetic level. Souvenirs from famous places or of famous people, a bouquet of wild thyme from Mount Hymettus, an ancient Jewish shekel or Roman coin, etc. All such things are very suitable as presents to gentlemen and will be far more valued than pins, studs, etc., which only represent a certain number of dollars and cents. Do not give a person who is socially your equal a richer present than he is able to give you. He will be more mortified than pleased. But between equals it is often an elegance to disregard cost and depend on rarity, because gold cannot always purchase it. Still between very rich people presents should also be very rich or else their riches are set above their friendship and generosity.

Harper’s Bazar

December, 1879

Victorian Yuletide: Gifts for the Whole Family

If you are struggling with last minute gifting ideas, take a few tips from the Victorians.  Gifts were generally more intimate...something directly from the heart.  Most Victorians received only one gift, not like today's bounty that is usually found under the tree on Christmas morning.  In fact, most small gifts were hidden deep inside the branches of the tree...

for Mother

an apron, stationery or pen-wipers, a fan, a silk lined sewing basket with its many accessories, a strawberry or tomato shaped pincushion pretty enough to be used as a tree decoration, lacy needle cases, a silver thimble and sewing scissors. tea ball or strainer, jewelry, a magazine subscription, cologne, handkerchiefs or scarves, combs, a needle-case or watch-case

for Father or Grandfather

a muffler or scarf, embroidered suspenders, Berlin work slippers, a monogrammed tobacco pouch, a chamois eyeglass cleaner elegantly bound in a crewel stitched cover, an India work humidor, or a gift of homemade cookies in a handsome handmade container, an umbrella, a cigar case, embroidered bed slippers

for Grandmother

pomander ball, wonder ball (small gifts wrapped in a ball of yarn), a plant, photograph frame, doilies, a rosebud sachet, a pen-wiper in the shape of a water lily, a knitting bag worked with blue silk floss and matching blue fringe, book-markers

for a Girl

hair ribbons, drawing pencils , a muff, a wardrobe of crochet and lace edged blankets and dresses for dolly, a tiny wax doll in its nutshell cradle, diminutive reproductions of bed quilts, a painting set, a fan, a music book, some sachets, a sewing kit, a book, a canary, mittens, a bisque doll

for a Boy

a sled, stamp album, skates, some carved and painted toy animals, a pen wiper hidden beneath some engagingly worked plaything, a model train, toy pistol, wind-up soldier, marbles, building blocks, a savings bank, shoeshine kit

Victorian Yuletide: Celebrating 140 Years

This morning's blogging pays a respectful tribute to the very first wedding at the WF!  It was December 21st 1871, just shy of two months of the construction of the mansion.  The Woodruffs threw one of the largest celebrations that Memphis has ever seen.  Mollie, the middle...and favored, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Amos Woodruff was married in the small parlor and the "Merry Christmas" reception that was hosted by the Woodruffs for the newlyweds  in the ballroom, just adjacent to the parlor.  Mollie and her new husband Egbert Wooldridge moved into the second floor suite after the marriage.  

Mollie was quite fond of the cabbage rose.  In her memory, our display has included pale pink roses of all kinds throughout the first floor, where the wedding actually took place.

The small parlor is set for a quaint wedding.  The table is dressed with a wedding cake and the happy couple wears antique clothing, perhaps something Mollie would have worn.  There is also a ring on her finger, that is actually from archives!  This ring belonged to the Fontaine family.  (While not completely  accurate, it does make for a pretty sight to behold.)

All the tables in the room are draped with beautiful ivory silk scarves and coverings.  They are both include tassel fringe and heavy embroidery.  Delicate, yet very strong.

Hauling Out the Holly

A few short weeks after Halloween, volunteers started the annual task of decorating for the holidays. There are absolutely no pictures, because we all looked a little rough and the ladies would skin me alive. (Of course they're always lovely and gracious...the epitome of Southern Belles...but, I'm not willing to risk it) The first floor of the mansion is dedicated to Mollie Woodruff...she was married to Egbert Wooldridge on December 21, 1871...the wedding took place in the house, as did the reception. Holiday trim is more minimal than years past, but still festive. The staircase is laced with garland with roses (Mollie's favorite flower) and burgundy ribbon. The dining room is set for a midnight supper and the ballroom houses the Christmas tree (while petite, the size is more accurate of Victorian Christmas tradition, the decorations well than make up for the lack of tree).

The second floor is, again, dedicated to the Woodruff's era. A simpler time when candles lit trees and families crowded together in the family parlor. There are two trees, though lit with the electric light, depict a more accurate tree of the time. The third floor is minimal, yet, showcases more trim in lieu of trees. Dedicated to the Fontaine family and the era of industry and growth. It was during this time that the Fontaine family lived in the mansion. Running water, electricity, and an air of significant change and growth were established during this time. Thus, the Fontaine's pushed the mansion into an new age of modern conveniences.

Victorian Yuletide exhibit will be on display until January 8, 2012. Sparkling Lights: A Winter Evening Tour will be given Friday, December 16th...the open tour will begin at 5PM and run until 8PM. It will be a leisurely, self guided tour for the whole family.

Nouveau Nuptials

 Below are just a few images that I shot during the night.  It was a beautiful success, that included the very best in the special event and wedding industry.  Michelle Williams spear-headed this idea back in July...after working (sometimes day and night) to bring everything together, the event was absolutely stunning.  Southern Bride magazine was a partner and are ready to see more of the WF used for upscale events and weddings.  I believe, with this particular group of vendors, a "Pandora's box" has been opened.  There's no telling what we'll be seeing in the future.

Hello, old friend!

It's been far too long since my last post.  As things go, life sometimes gets in the way.  Since October, we've been very busy at the WF.  (My goodness, where to begin?) 

Haunted Happenings was a fright!  We celebrated our resident spirits in grand Victorian fashion with a darkened mansion, paranormal presentations, and Gothic photography by Karen Auburger.  We  had a few "roaming souls" that definitely gave guests a surprise during tours.  Here's a few images from the evening...

The root cellar was strung with cobwebs and glittered black birds by a young volunteer earlier in the day.



Karen Auburger's photography "Elmwood" graced the walls and gave a "grim and dark" beauty to the rustic walls.  I'm hoping that she'll return in the Springtime with a more jovial collection.  The prints are stunning, printed on metallic paper.  She's a wonderful artist and a more lovely lady.

The always handsome and dapper Jon Livaudais served as "Butler" for the evening.  He greeted guests with a kind smile and a bit of whimsy to prepare them for their tour through the darkened halls.

Nothing compares to the lovely ladies that volunteered for the evening!  They, and all of our volunteers made the evening magical!  Ms. Rosemary, Ms. Joan, and Ms. Shirley had quite the evening...they had their share of mischief and pranks hidden under their sleeves.