The experience of a lifetime! And fortunately, one I may indulge in again, when time permits. I am speaking, of course, of the Jane Austen Weekend at The Governor's House in Hyde Park! www.onehundredmain.com
From Friday evening through noon on Sunday, guests at the exceptionally gracious and elegant House may experience life as though they were IN a Jane Austen novel. Yes, Gentle Readers, I said IN the novel! You are encouraged, although not mandated, to dress in period correct clothing, and activities planned for the weekend are those that might have occupied and indeed did occupy people in not only Austen's books, but in actual early 19th century life. The only modern conveniences are things like electricity and running water--something this guest found very easy to overlook in the pursuit of suspended disbelief.
The House offers numerous Austen Weekends throughout the year, featuring period correct food and libations (sherry, anyone?), card games like Whist, board games such as Shut the Box, archery instruction, horse riding and lessons (although not, alas, side saddle, so ladies need to be wild women and ride astride--and be suitably dressed for that), carriage rides, lavender bottle creation, quill pen and ink letter writing, shadow profile drawing, English Country Dance and sewing. Surprisingly, these endeavors are by no means dull, boring or readily accomplished. On the contrary, they are fascinating challenges largely because they are new to those of us who live in the 21st century. Even repeat guests at the Austen Weekends who may routinely sew or indulge in other pastimes that were popular 200 years ago discover new and untried, and thus deeply intriguing, aspects to their avocations during these weekends. This all makes for a feeling of exploration, a sense of achievement and best of all, a great deal of lively wit and conversation.
This particular Weekend was a Character Weekend: thus, I was slated to play Emma Woodhouse, the flirty, matchmaking heroine of the eponymous novel. Fortunately, one did not have to remain in character constantly, so it was relatively easy, as one was allowed to revert to oneself for various conversations, as the spirit moved.
There was a gathering of perhaps a dozen ladies--no gentlemen deigned to grace us with their manly presence, as they were possibly mustering in a nearby town! Most were experienced 'Janites' and had visited the Governor's House and experienced an Austen Weekend before. I was vastly impressed with their broad and deep knowledge of Austen's catalogue of work as well as their sense of fun and camaraderie.
Friday evening after the guests had grabbed dinner somewhere on their own, and downed their last 21st century food for a couple of days, we all assembled in the well appointed and cozy library for various libations and nibbles, introductions and to discover our Characters for the weekend. This was a great opportunity to meet my fellow Janites and to show off the only long-sleeved Regency dress I own, a purple and black paisley print, accented with white fan, gloves (not pictured) and hair bandeau:
After a great night's sleep in a gorgeous four poster bed in my spacious and beautifully appointed bedchamber, I met up again with my comrades for an early 19th century typical home-cooked breakfast (fruit, baked eggs, porridge, tea or coffee). Then the day's activities began.
For Saturday's activities, I wore my most basic Regency dress, a brown and ivory print, with a flower hair bandeau in ivory.
Although I had reserved a riding lesson, I hadn't realized it would not be side saddle. So I did not partake since the garb I had brought would not have allowed me to ride astride, and I did not wish to revert to modern clothing, even for a little while. My advice here is to bring a very full skirted dress (or full skirt) to wear for the riding lesson, even if it is not quite period correct: I'll bring along my Victorian riding ensemble next time, which has an absolutely huge skirt which does allow one to ride astride. Additionally, it might be that in future, side saddle lessons will be offered at the stables: it is a thing devoutly to be wished!
After breakfast, I took a walk around the grounds and the area of the village where the Governor's House is situated, enjoying the lovely view of the mountains and the garden, then I returned for a sewing workshop. Here is the bonnet I wore for my walk. As it is an original poke bonnet from 1825 which I have renovated and embellished, it's quite fragile, and only comes out for genteel activities and events. With it I wore a fichu from 1825 as well and a shawl from 1830. After the walk, these items were returned lovingly to their little storage cases to await their next outings.
In the workshop, held in the bright and very feminine drawing room, we were guided on making the fashionable Regency turbans for ourselves or a friend. It was an absolute delight, and rather a surprise for me, since my sewing skills are limited to sewing on buttons! Quill pen letter writing was available as well, as were 'lavender bottle' making and later in the day, archery instruction. There was ample time to sit on the lovely veranda too, and read, pursue our own sewing or other projects, and indulge in conversation.
Conversations ranged from Austen's books (pretty much a given) and her characters, to 19th century clothing (including the mysteries of corsetry), to history of the time, to our own individual passions and interests, so there was always something interesting to listen to, learn, and talk about!
Because 'lunch' as such had not yet become a convention (we are in the early 19th century, remember!), our hostess, the incomparable Suzanne Boden who owns the Governor's House, set out an array of fruit, crackers, biscuits and cheese for us to snack on.
Here's me, having a go at archery. (I'm pretty terrible, actually!)
At 2:30 there was a lovely tea with finger sandwiches and cakes and scones and of course, tea! I must tell you, we all fell upon the food and drink like starving women! Suzanne gave a short talk on various points of Regency manners and customs while we indulged. Of course, after the exertion of archery, I freshened up and changed my dress and accessories. Here is the black and white print dress with coordinating white gloves, fan (not pictured) and hair bandeau shaped like leaves that I wore to tea:
After tea, we had a few minutes to enjoy some music of the period, graciously performed for us by Donna, at the pianoforte. Then, it was time to go for our carriage ride. Unfortunately, we did have to drive a modern car a short distance to the carriage ride location, but myself and two of my companions (two of us in Regency bonnets and garb!) were quite the spectacle en route, so all was not lost. I donned a black cotton spencer and yet another bonnet for the carriage ride...
And then it was time to get ready for the Regency Dinner Party and evening of English Country Dancing. The gown (photo does not do it justice) is a deep teal silk with black trim. With it, I wore a parure of teal gemstones, black gloves (I like to defy convention, and the white ones had already been worn), black fan, a diamanté hair band and two antique hair jewels with teal stones.
I should mention here that I had coordinating reticules for each outfit, and fan and gloves as well as wraps or fichus as needed, and that, for a woman who went around the world for a month with two carry-ons, this two night weekend saw me packing a suitcase, a full size full length suiter, and two hat boxes!
Here is the gown:
Dinner was wonderful: delicious period correct food, prepared once again by that whiz in the kitchen, Suzanne. We feasted on game pie, curry chicken, peas, beets, broccoli with sauce, green salad leaves, macaroni and cheese, rolls and sorbet all accompanied by wine! (We enjoyed abusing the Regency custom of not taking a sip of ones drink until one has made a toast or at least caught another's eye. The toasts began reverently but quickly degenerated into the silly...)
Then it was time to work off dinner with a couple hours of English Country Dancing. An engaging and expert caller and her partner led us through about six traditional dances ranging from the easy to the more complex. Please do not be angry with me that I can recall none of them. But I will tell you it was great fun, and quite refreshing to indulge in a vigorous pastime which somehow manages to be stately and genteel at the same time. After a refreshment break, during which the impending birthday of one of our company was celebrated with cake, we returned for several more dances.
Sunday morning everyone gathered for a delicious brunch, and had packed up and returned to their 21st century clothes. With brunch, a Jane Austen Quiz was played, testing in a very fun manner everyone's knowledge of our heroine.
Not every Jane Austen Weekend is a Character Weekend: most of them concentrate on a particular Austen work and discussions are held, as well as talks on the book in question, in addition to the activities and workshops. All weekends invite but do not demand that guests dress in period garb, and that is part of the fun (although admittedly perhaps less fun for men, whose 19th century garb was shoes, knee socks, knee breeches, a shirt, vest, cravat and jacket and didn't vary much at all except perhaps to change the jacket and/or vest for fancier events).
Anyone who is a Jane Austen fan, or who, like me, just enjoys the clothing (both original and historically accurate reproduction) from that period, is encouraged, nay, exhorted, to visit www.onehundredmain.com and see the beautiful Governor's House, and check out the upcoming Austen Weekends.
I understand they will be doing a Downton Abbey weekend very soon, as well, and perhaps more of these will be scheduled in the upcoming months.
If so, expect another entry here at Lacing Up a Modern Woman on my attendance at that event!
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