How to Pay a Thanksgiving Call

In the mood to see your friends during the Thanksgiving break? Here’s what you would do if you lived in the 1800s and she was a lady:

You send your servant to the lady with a note requesting a visit
Your servant travels to the lady’s house and gives the note to her servant
Her servant gives it to her. If she wants to see you, she tells her servant yes and indicates when calling hours are: perhaps Tuesday and Thursday from 3-4
Her servant tells your servant
Your servant returns to tell you

Some things really do get easier over time! I wonder how Victorians would have liked email?

Stay tuned for more fascinating tidbits from Victorian Christmas in Williamsport, PA! If you enjoy this page, please like it!

Photo by Jeanne Gehret