09 October 2009

It's why you never tell me heaven's on your mind...*

y
photos by Tom b.

pea coat: H&M
skirt: vintage
top: H&M
tights: thrifted
shoes: vintage brogues from Ebay
hat: vintage wool beret
purse: vintage Bond Street bag from Etsy
* listening to: Alice in Chains - Black Gives Way to Blue "A Looking In View"

Yesterday Tom and I spent all morning researching the history of our house at the Lancaster Historical Society. Can I just say that place is history nerd heaven?! Old maps, ancient books, drawers full of old records! Displays of late 1800's needlework, doctor's handbags (oooh, I wanted to take a couple of those home with me), apothecary kits, pieces of Thaddeus Stevens' furniture! I really didn't want to leave, even after hours of trying to decipher 19th century handwriting left me a bit cross-eyed. We're trying to find out who originally built our house but those old records can sometimes be a bit hard to follow. We've found a lot of information and we're still trying to piece it all together. Once we've figured it out, we're going to write up a little history of the people that lived here and I'll be sure to share it with you!

Afterwards, we stepped outside to snap a couple of photographs. The Historical Society is located right next door to one of the most famous houses in Lancaster, Wheatland; the home of James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States. We didn't want to pay for tour tickets so we just snuck around the outer edge of the property for a bit. While it seems like a beautiful estate, having Buchanan as a Lancaster native is hardly something to brag about since he has been officially ranked as one of the worst presidents of all time! His presidential term led directly into the Civil War. Even though he's not exactly a great historical figure I can't believe I've lived here this long and haven't done a proper tour of the house. They even do a candlelit tour at night! I'm putting this on my list of things to do.

z

32 comments:

Lexie said...

i love your navy pea coat! what a classic.

Starr Crow said...

man oh man, i love a place that's rich in history... so many things to discover and explore!! even though Buchanan was a pretty crappy president I would still be super excited and I would definitely still take the tour!!

Love your outfit and that sweet little pea coat. I want an H&M so bad, but I guess they just don't believe in Arkansas. lol :)

xx
Starr

Anonymous said...

great coat and lovely photos

the history is so cool! there's this house from Massachusetts that was about to be demolished so the historical society of the town asked the american history smithsonian museum if they wanted to preserve it. so now there's an entire house in the museum, with such a rich history of inhabitants- revolutionaries, abolitionists, WWII veterans,etc.

AlicePleasance said...

That sounds so good!! I'll be waiting to know the story of your house :-)

MOUSEVOX VINTAGE said...

i want to hear the history of your house, too!

love your brogues.

xoxo

Siru said...

That is so lovely!

juliet xxx

Ashley said...

Lovely outfit and the pictures are just amazing!

the style spotter said...

these are great pictures! your outfit is adorable :)

http://thestylespotter.blogspot.com/

calivintage said...

that sounds like a pretty amazing project. now i'm feeling curious about the history of my house. except that it's just an apartment building built in the 20's...

and the photos are lovely. very nice outfit!

Anki ★ said...

Cute pictures! Love the background and of course your outfit.
______________________________
http://blackberrysfashion.blogspot.com/

glam.spoon said...

Lovely photos...
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Q's Daydream said...

so pretty! I love those shoes! :o)

Amy P. said...

That's totally cool you are researching the history of your house! It would be so interesting to read; I hope your investigation is complete soon!

That's a beautiful location too!

theVweekly said...

Its awesome that you get to live in a house with so much history! My town is pretty old and there is an old graveyard a little bit beyond my backyard. It's a little creepy and a little beautiful but always comforting to know that their stories are still around today!

Can't wait to read more about your project!

the spectator said...

I love your shoes and especially your beautiful jacket. You could definitely pull off the Halloween look -burnt orange not 'orange.'

I think it's very special to have the opportunity to live in a house and area that is so historially rich and significant.

electricat said...

Your pictures never cease to amaze me, and you do look so beautiful. I love your outfit and the setting as well.

I'm so excited for you...that you get to be live in a place and house with a vast pool of history.It sounds so much fun !
I can't wait for your little report on your house.

I love your blog so much...it really plays a role in brightening my day :)

sarah said...

The peacoat and little hat are just lovely!

How fascinating to live in such a historical place. My house is over 100 years old, but so far we've not been able to trace it before the 1940s. It's an adventure seeking such things out, isn't it?

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

What a great jacket!

Aya Smith said...

I am sooo wicked jealous of your house! Even if it's given you some heartache, I am still so envious of the rich history and character you've inherited by taking on this house! AMAZING! :D

Oh, and your outfit is gorgeous, heehee :D

the spectator said...

P.S. to my earlier comment: When we bought this worker's cottage we did the same as you and your partner and went to our local historical society. This house was built in 1893, by one - 'Mr Carrington Begley'. What a name! Anyway, down the track, we are going to name the house, "Carrington". Interesting little fact - early homes were often named after the wife of the owner.

Vintage Avocado said...

I really love the shoes...but the whole outfit is so singular...
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Helen said...

that must be so interesting researching the history of your house! my house has only ever been lived in by my family since it was built in the 70s haha. as a library student though i would definitely find that place interesting!

Becca Joy said...

What a beautiful outfit, the shape and colour of your skirt is perfect. And I love your beret doctors bag!

Ann said...

History nerd heaven? Yes, please!

I'm always blown away by how perfectly normal it seems to move into a house on the east coast that's brimming with history. Here in San Diego, practically everything built before 1920 is designated specially as a historical building, so you don't really just go buy some awesome 19th century place without dropping practically a million for it!

Rachel said...

I LOVE your purse.

Nikki said...

i really really love your coat! :)

Lauretha Sudjono said...

loving the coat and everything you wear. this pictures truly makes my day. <33

FASH said...

cute!! http://www.joandjoenyc.com {shop}

Kat said...

i love the blog! such great photos :)
and you have the best clothes!
if you have time would you look at my blog?
http://shelovesvelvet.blogspot.com/
thanks and keep it up!
x

henry said...

nice blog.. on clothing.i found a site where we can get more discounts on all kinds of clothing.so that we can save more money.

Anonymous said...

oh i know the feeling! i'm an intern at an historical landmarks foundation and i get to do research in their fantastic library. It makes my soul jump!

Sara said...

I went to college at Franklin and Marshall, I had no idea you were living and I assume shopping in lovely Lancaster! It really is a wonderful area if you are willing to get into the history and explore all that the city has to offer. Enjoy it, I miss it and can't wait to move back some day.