What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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FEBRUARY 7-13, 2021 WHAT'S UP! 7 COVER STORY Love And Laughter BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette F or centuries, St. Valentine's Day on Feb. 14 has been celebrated as a day of love," says Serena Barnett, director of the Rogers Historical Museum. "It has long been a tradition for couples to exchange love tokens on this day in the form of cards with messages ranging from flattering poems of love's desire to humorous, and sometimes insulting, jokes playing on the emotions of the receiver," she says. And if you've never imagined Valentine's Day as an occasion for amusing insults, Barnett has just the exhibit for you. "Valentines: Flattery and Insults," a traveling exhibit organized by Blair- Murrah Exhibitions of Kansas City, remains open through March 27 at the Rogers museum, and Barnett promises a new perspective on "how the designs of hand-made and commercial Valentine cards from the 19th and early 20th centuries were influenced by trends in popular culture and how our modern view of Valentine's Day was also shaped through commercialism." "It was once commonplace for these cards of amorous affection to be hand- crafted using such supplies at hand as embossed paper, ornate lace work and colorful ribbons," Barnett says. "This began to change by the mid-19th century, when stationary manufacturers began to commercialize on the holiday by printing inexpensive Valentine cards. "As a kid," she adds, "my memories of Valentine's Day are centered around elementary school classroom parties — choosing that one special box of store- bought Valentine cards, then sitting at the kitchen table the night before the party to write my classmates' names upon each one; decorating a shoebox with pink and red paper hearts to become my Valentine card mailbox; and then eating my fill of cupcakes and candy message hearts." Barnett says traditions like sending flowers, candy, and cards and having a special romantic dinner on Valentine's Day continue to thrive. "My husband always buys me a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and takes me out for a nice dinner," she says, "though this year because of covid we will probably opt for sharing a nice take-out dinner at home. "In fact, Valentine's Day is now the third most popular day to send flowers, behind Christmas and Mother's Day," she adds. "The Valentine holiday has become such a part of our American culture that many folks anticipate celebrating it each year without even a second thought." As far as the exhibit goes, Barnett has her favorite artifact, which is a rebus puzzle. "I always love a good word puzzle and having to decipher the clues in this poem gives a bit of added mystery to the lover's message. This example is pictured in Ruth Webb Lee's book 'History of Valentines,' and it is the only one of its type known." It reads: At thy feet I kneel To speak sweet words of love: My heart is only thine. Believe, I cannot love thee less, But while I live I am thine, And thine only, dearest, accept my Hands, and heart, and let me prove, How constant I can be to love and thee. Yours un-notably. Museum looks at both sides of Valentine's Day Among the insulting varieties showcased now at the Rogers Historical Museum are those that center around puns and plays on words. Others, such as these printed cards, circa 1890, feature atrocious caricatures painted in lurid colors and accompanied by rough attempts at poetry. (Courtesy Photo/RHM) In the middle of the 19th century, the rebus fad extended even to valentines. This example is pictured in Ruth Webb Lee's book "History of Valentines," and it is the only one of its type known. It is Rogers Historical Museum Director Serena Barnett's favorite artifact in "Valentines: Flattery and Insults." (Courtesy Photo/RHM) "Valentines: Flattery and Insults" is currently on show at the Rogers Historical Museum's Hailey Building. (Courtesy Photo/RHM) FAQ 'Valentines: Flattery and Insults' WHEN — Through March 27; hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday, Friday & Saturday WHERE — Rogers Historical Museum's Hailey Building at 313 S. Second St. COST — Free INFO — rogershistorical museum.org or 621-1154 FYI — Covid protocols include a temperature check and a mask.