These are just a few of the Valentines you will be able to see at the Sealed with a Kiss: the Valentines of Riverside School exhibit at the Marquette County Historical Society through the month of March. On Saturday, February 11 from 10 to 2 PM you’re invited to view the Valentines and make your own for someone you love. (Photo by Kathleen McGwin)
Sealed with a Kiss:
The Valentines of
Riverside School
By Kathleen McGwin
You are invited to view a collection of Valentines exchanged between students and teachers of the one-room Riverside School from Buffalo Township and to make your own Valentine for someone you love on Saturday, February 11 from 10 to 2 PM.
The Marquette County Historical Society at 125 Lawrence Street in Westfield is hosting an exhibit of a beautiful cache of Valentine greetings on loan from Bessie McGwin Eggleston who attended Riverside School between 1918 and about 1927 when she then attended Montello High School. Bessie taught at Hull School in 1934 and in Riverside School in 1935-37. Bessie turned 99 on January 6 and lives in Golden Years in Montello. With the exhibit are photos of some of the students who exchanged the Valentines with classmates and those they sent to their teacher, Miss McGwin. Valentines date from about 1918 through 1940. The restored Riverside schoolhouse is now located on the grounds of the Marquette County Historical Society.
Visit the Nelson-Cochrane home to view the Valentines and learn about the history of Valentine’s Day, then stroll past Riverside School on your way to the Kerst Exhibit Building where you can make your own Valentine. Materials will be on hand, including poems and verses to choose from and to place in your card to send to your own Valentine. Enjoy a Valentine treat before you leave and be sure to view the exhibits in the museum.
The special Valentine event is on Saturday, February 11 from 10 to 2 at the Marquette County Historical Society 125 Lawrence Street, Westfield. The event is free with goodwill donations always appreciated. The Valentine exhibit will be up through March. MCHS is open every Wednesday from 1-4 and by appointment. Call 608-296-4700. Come fall in love with vintage Valentines and make your own for someone you love on February 11 from 10 to 2 at the Marquette County Historical Society.
?Here are some of the students from Riverside School who exchanged the Valentines dating from about 1918 through 1940 that will be on display at the Marquette County Historical Society through the month of March. From left, Hugh McGwin, Ervie Schmitz, Roger Chapman, Howard McGwin, Owen Owens, Bill Chapman, Lyle McGwin, Charles Owen, Emma Ennis, and Pearl Ennis. On Saturday, February 11 from 10 to 2 PM you’re invited to view the Valentines and make your own for someone you love
