Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold
An Evening at the Opera
An Evening at the Opera, 1912 Bessie and William McKee spent their winters in Boston at their large, elegant townhouse on Commonwealth Avenue. Among their favorite entertainments was the Opera. They were members of the Boston … Read more.
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Garden Club of America Celebrates 100 Years by Margaret Whitehead and Julie Morris 2013 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Garden Club of America. In April 1913 Mrs. J. Willis Martin and … Read more.
Costume Conservation Continues
One of the most exciting days in my tenure at Blithewold was the day Bessie Van Wickle McKee’s collection of fine gowns returned permanently to Blithewold from Boston where they had been in safe keeping … Read more.
The Costume Collection
Many of you already know about the fabulous collection of gowns and accessories belonging to Bessie Van Wickle McKee that came home to Blithewold last year. Forty-one dresses with accessories, coats, and hats, had been … Read more.
DECEMBER 1903 – ROME
DECEMBER 1903 – ROME When Marjorie and Miss Helen arrived back in Rome from Naples, the cool wet weather changed suddenly and they were pleased to see the sun: “You can imagine how welcome it … Read more.
November 1903 – Rome
Marjorie’s European Tour, 1903-1904 Taken from letters to her mother, Bessie We go back 109 years, and it is November 1903. Twenty-year-old Marjorie was very sorry to be leaving Florence, but madly excited to get … Read more.
SEPTEMBER 1903 – GERMANY AND AUSTRIA
Marjorie’s European Tour, 1903-1904 Taken from letters to her mother, Bessie In early September, Marjorie’s train steamed into Berlin where the temperature was 100 degrees in the shade. It was debilitating after the freshness of … Read more.
AUGUST 1903 – NORWAY, SWEDEN, AND DENMARK
At the end of July Marjorie left England by boat from Newcastle, sailing overnight to Bergen in Norway. The party of four – Marjorie, her cousin Dorothy, her friend Gertrude, and their chaperone/guide Helen Macartnay … Read more.
JULY 1903 – ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND
Marjorie’s European Tour, 1903‐1904 Taken from letters to her mother, Bessie JULY 1903 – ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND Marjorie arrived in London at the beginning of July, and wrote to her mother a few days later: … Read more.
JUNE 1903 — On board the Deutschland, and Paris
Marjorie’s European Tour, 1903-1904 Taken from letters to her mother, Bessie JUNE 1903 — On board the Deutschland, and Paris On June 4, 1903, nineteen-year-old Marjorie Van Wickle set sail from New York on board … Read more.