A new exhibition at the Museum of Riverside’s Heritage House, “First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era,” highlights objects and images from the Museum’s collections that shed light on a shift in the institution of marriage during the Victorian era (1837-1901), the period during which Heritage House was built.
The exhibition focuses on a cultural transformation that ushered in new expectations and opportunities for individuals, especially women, in their pursuit of love and partnership. Artifacts were chosen by Curator of History Taylor Bythewood-Porter to explore the evolution of courtship over several decades and highlight the ways romantic love changed relationships and empowered women.
This new independence among women echoed through the lives of Riverside residents. During this period, coded rituals expressed emotions in public spaces, and modes of communication between courting couples evolved. Disrupting the rigid constraints of Victorian society, the rise of love-based marriage marked a subtle but significant victory for women’s agency, allowing them a voice in their choice of partner and, ultimately, a step toward greater personal and social liberation.
“First Comes Love: Courtship in the Victorian Era” will be on view at Heritage House, 8193 Magnolia Ave., through June 29. Special programs will be advertised throughout the spring season.
Experience the exhibition during your free tour of Heritage House. It’s recommended to book your tour in advance via Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/tours-of-heritage-house-tickets-976415213187?aff=oddtdtcreator.
