Theme Tour Extraordinaire
After being rained out twice, on Sunday, September 5th, the Friends of Mount Hope presented the theme tour, Undertakers, Wakes, & Tears: Mourning Rituals in 19th Century America, developed and led by Deb Coffey.
The tour explored the Victorian view of death and their expressions of grief through socially expected rituals and customs. The presentation also highlighted the Victorian concept of the “good death,” wakes & funerals, mourning etiquette & clothing, funerary symbolism, and epitaphs. The tour was supported by an intriguing display in the Gate House.
This tour received many accolades from our tourgoers. Many thanks to Deb Coffey and Lynda Baudanza for their extensive research and sharing of their expertise on this fascinating topic.
