During this period, the whole sense of being at home was criticized for embodying outmoded norms. Prior to the emergence of funeral homes, for example, it was normal for the dead to be welcomed at home, which meant that the corpse was laid out in the parlour of the home for viewing. This was thought to be extremely unpleasant for those remaining in the house, so after death customs changed and the haunting of houses became common.
In addition, the Victorian era saw a rise in scientific knowledge which led to a new understanding of the world around us. People began to question what they knew about ghosts and how they could use this knowledge to help others. Scientists discovered ways to preserve bodies after death which allowed them to study the skin, muscles, and other internal organs. They also developed tools for seeing into the body during an autopsy which is why we can see such a clear image on this page.
People started to believe that ghosts were reflections or images of living people rather than apparitions of the dead. Photography had been invented in 1839 by William Henry Fox Talbot, and by using glass plates he was able to take pictures that showed objects as though seen with the human eye. These photographs helped scientists understand how our eyes work and also served as evidence for court cases.
So, ghosts were not beyond our ability to observe, and they did seem to resemble real people from time to time.
"They were regarded as dust traps." As a result, people came to associate magnificent Victorian mansions, maybe where their grandparents had lived, with decrepit, deteriorating, spiderweb-filled messes.
During the Victorian era (1837-1901), architecture was in its infancy. Construction techniques were limited, so buildings were often bulky and heavy, requiring lots of space to heat or cool properly. In addition, most materials used for building homes were unsightly: brick or stone that matched a person's house not being available during this time period, so most buildings were made from wood. Finally, houses were not painted; instead, they were stained or varnished to match the stain or varnish on the wood beams inside the home.
As you can see, wood is an organic material, which means it will decay over time. This natural process is called "offgassing" and it happens when carbon contained in the wood molecules evaporates into gas form. The gas that escapes is usually methane or other gases that animals would not be able to smell. However, if the offgassing isn't done properly, then other substances may also escape, including chemicals that humans can smell.
The parlour was a stuffy, starchy affair. Except on Sundays, peak days, and holidays, no one ever went in there. For most of the year, it was a chilly room since we only had coal stoves for heating, and the parlour fire had to be lit especially—more labor for my mother as well as extra expenditure. In winter, we wore coats and hats, but in summer we were expected to leave those behind when we entered the parlor.
The furniture was heavy and dark colored, intended more for dignity than comfort. There was a high-backed chair with silk cushions, a sofa, and several sideboards full of glass and china ornaments. The carpet was thick and patterned with flowers and vines; I always hoped it would be rolled up and put away when not in use, but it never was. The window curtains were heavy linen with embroidered edges, and the blinds were painted bamboo.
In winter, we kept the door to the parlor closed, except on Sunday afternoons when my father had tea served at the dining table instead. He said it made a civilized impression on his guests.
In the summer, we opened the door to let in some air but never sat out there. My mother said it was improper for women to be seen in public without a husband or son. I don't remember any other visitors except for my grandmother once, who came with my mother when she was first married off.
Medieval Decor for the Home A merchant home still had sculpted chimneys, and the interiors featured carved chests with ironwork ornamentation and seats with carved supports. As a result, the affluent person's home interior décor was bright and colorful, with wall paintings, stained-glass windows, and subsequently, tapestries hanging. In fact, the term "tapestry" comes from the French word for scene or picture, because these fabrics represented a scene or story.
People also decorated their homes with flowers and herbs. Gardens in Europe were not just for eating purposes but also for adding beauty to the home. Houses were often surrounded by gardens filled with fruits, vegetables, and herbs that could be used to make medicines or to smell good.
In conclusion, medieval people decorated their homes with sculptures, paintings, and herbs. These items made the house beautiful and enjoyable and helped keep it clean.
London The haunted house has its beginnings in nineteenth-century London, when a variety of illusions and attractions introduced the public to new types of ghastly amusement. At that time, many people made their living by exploiting their fear of the dark, ghosts, and other supernatural creatures. To attract visitors, some entrepreneurs created terrifying displays meant to scare the bejesus out of their audience. These events were called "haunted houses" because they offered spectacles full of horror and surprise.
American haunted houses began appearing in the early 20th century, when local legends began to be adapted for entertainment purposes. One of the first known examples of this is the Hessian Hills Haunted Mansion, which opened in 1908 near Albany, New York. The theme was based on stories about ghost soldiers from the Hessian Infantry Regiment, which had been hired by British royalty to fight against America in the French and Indian War but ended up fighting for the King instead. There are reports that say this attraction actually closed down in 1917, but it reopened in 1919 under the same name.
Another famous example is the Halloween Empire in Coney Island, which opened its doors in 1920. This haunted house took its theme from urban legends about real-life murderers who have been locked away in asylums ever since they were acquitted by reason of insanity.
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