Victorian Christmas, Independence, Missouri Poster

"Victorian Christmas, Independence Missouri" by Catherine Sherman. A rattan rocking chair holds beautifully wrapped packages in front of a carved marble fireplace in the Vaile Mansion in Independence, Missouri. A decorated tree and garland adds to the festive look. The Vaile Victorian Society decorates the mansion every year in a different Victorian theme and welcomes the public for tours. The mansion, built in 1881, has 31 rooms, nine marble fireplaces and beautiful ceiling murals and woodwork. In 1846, the popular British royals, Queen Victoria and her German Prince, Albert, were sketched in the Illustrated London News standing with their children around a Christmas tree, a German tradition. Victoria was very popular with her subjects, and what was done at court immediately became fashionable—not only in Britain, but with fashion-conscious American Society.