Day 351 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Victorian Card

Happy Valentine's Day! This is a wedding card located in one of our display cases on the third floor of the Historic Section at the Hotel Boulderado. Just too perfect NOT to use today!

Day 314 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Perfume Bottle and Purse

This (empty) perfume bottle and handbag both date back to the Victorian era and actually originate from a long-term employee's own family!

Day 273 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Victorian Clothing Ad

This advertisement for ladies clothing dates back to the Victorian era. To view it here at the Hotel Boulderado, head to the west side of the third floor of the Historic Section, where you will find it in a display case with other period items.

Day 271 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Blue Feather Fan

I just love this soft blue feather fan we have on display right now -- makes me wish there were more social occasions I could attend with a fan like this!

Day 256 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Victorian Vignette

This shot came from a display case of interesting Victorian items found on the west side of the third floor of the Historic Section.

Day 88 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Telephone and Register

Check out this old-school telephone in the display case. The long sheets of paper you see are original sign-in registers dating back from the 1930s.

Day 29 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Christening Gown

Check out this christening gown that is currently on display along with other antique children's clothing and toys. This gown dates back to the late 19th century and was used by the same family for three generations of children, pictured in the antique photos you see.

Day 27 of 365 Days of Boulderado Photos ~ Vintage Toy Display

In the North Wing of the Hotel Boulderado, there is a small display case found on the first floor, near the atrium with the other stained-glass ceiling. At the moment, there is a collection of children's toys and clothing in the display case. During the 365 Days of Boulderado Photos, I'll be sharing some of the most special items found in the case, some of which date back to the late 19th century.

The Language of the Fan

If you've ever wandered around the hotel, you know we like keeping certain antique and vintage items on display. Our newest display can be found on the third floor of the historic section and it shows off some fans we've collected over the years. Did you know that back in the day when ladies carried fans, they would use them to send romantic (or anti-romantic) signals to would-be suitors.

Here are some signs a lady with a fan is interested in you:

• If she's fanning herself quickly, she's saying "I love you so much."
• If she moves the hair away from her forehead, she's saying "Don't forget me."
• If she hits her palm with her fan, she's saying "Love me."
• If she drops the fan, she's saying "I belong to you."

Here are some signs a lady with a fan couldn't care less about you:

• If she's fanning herself slowly, she's saying "Don't waste your time, I don't care about you."
  
• If she's resting the fan on her lips, she's saying "I don't trust you."
• If she hiding the sunlight with her fan, she thinks you're ugly.

A lady with a fan could also be trying to send you a message. If she's carrying a closed fan with her left hand, it means she's engaged, whereas if she's carrying a closed fan with her right hand, it means she wants to be engaged. If she fans herself with her left hand, she's telling you "Don't flirt with that woman." If she runs her fingers through the ribs of the fan, she wants to talk to you. If she half-opens the fan over her face, she is saying "We are being watched."

If your Halloween costume includes a fan this year, try out some of these messages. You can find more here.

Antique Workboots

The next time you are at the Hotel Boulderado, whether it's for a drink at the Corner Bar, live jazz music in the lobby, or for a wedding on the Mezzanine, be sure to stop by the entrance on the south side of the hotel. There, you will find a display case showing off some artifacts from the Boulderado's past, like an antique train schedule and railroad spikes from the old line. One of my favorite things in the case is a pair of workboots that were found when the Boulderado rennovated the ladies restroom on the Mezzanine. We presume they date back to when the Boulderado was originally built (1906-1908). One can only imagine that some laborer decided to kick off his well-used workboots with the hope that it would be rediscovered one day and become a part of our history.