The Victorian era, spanning Queen Victoria’s reign from 1837 to 1901, was marked by significant upheaval, particularly due to the Industrial Revolution. Urbanization surged, leading to overcrowding and hazardous living conditions, exacerbated by the spread of diseases like cholera and tuberculosis. Life expectancy plummeted, especially for infants and children. The United States faced additional turmoil with the Civil War, resulting in significant loss of life. President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination in 1865 deepened the nation’s grief following the war.

During this time, death became a prominent cultural fixation in the Western world. Mourning customs, such as wearing black attire, intensified, reflecting societal attitudes toward loss. Exploring artifacts like mourning attire, hair jewelry, and post-mortem photographs, alongside historic events like Queen Victoria’s mourning and Lincoln’s funeral tour, provides Americans with an opportunity to reflect on our own perspectives on mortality.

On view through 10/27.