Historical Society will have ‘The Mourning of Ellen’

The Stanly County Historical Society invites everyone to join in “The Mourning of Ellen” on Oct. 28 at the 1852 Isaiah Snuggs House, 112 N. Third St., Albemarle.

Guests will be received from 6-8 p.m.

Ellen Milton Snuggs, spouse of Isaiah Wilson Snuggs, died Feb. 24, 1886 three days after giving birth to her fifth child.

Guests will experience Victorian mourning rituals and traditions such as draping mirrors and pictures with black cloths, learn why a window was opened after death and view the Stanly County Museum’s rare hair wreath and a locket with Ellen’s picture and hair.

Pallbearers and other mourners dressed in 1880 attire will guide individuals to the entrance and through the Snuggs home lit in candlelight.

Victorian era superstitions consisted of tying a string to a deceased person’s hand which led above ground to a bell. The origin of the graveyard shift and why the body was kept in full view for three days prior to the burial will be explained.

Donations will be accepted.

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