DATING THROUGH THE DECADES:
Courtship and Wedding Programs

Join us in February as we explore the rituals, myths, and trends behind courtship and marriage.

Friday, February 15 7:00 - 9:00 PM DATING THROUGH THE DECADES Experience a Speakeasy, Sock Hop, and Speed Dating $5.00 per person RSVP by February 13th to 419-352-0967 or volunteer@woodcountyhistory.org Upon arrival to the event, sign in at the front desk where you will receive your schedule of activities for the evening and your password to the speakeasy.
1920s Speakeasy Mock gambling activities, "gin"ger ale, and other sultry treats. You'll need to know the password to enter!	1950 Soda Fountain and Sock Hop Enjoy vanilla and cherry cokes at a recreated soda fountain. Treat your date to a Milkshake and Malt for just $2.00. Join in a sock hop, do the twist, or give the hula hoop a twirl.	2008 Mock Speed Dating Also known as a "Round Robin," you can participate in this fun demonstration of the new, time-conscious way to meet your true love.

also in February...
DATING THROUGH THE DECADES: Courtship & Wedding Guided Tours
From Victorian-era to present day

Friday, February 22, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
and Friday, February 29, 7:00 - 9:00 PM

Take a unique guided tour of rarely seen artifacts such as:

• Wedding dresses from the Victorian age to present day
• Valentines
• Take some tips from a 1950s filmstrip "What To Do On A Date"
• Period music to put you "in the mood"

Tours will also touch on the origin of many wedding traditions to uncover which are deeply rooted in religious traditions and which are the illusions of modern marketing. Despite being the County's Poor House from 1869-1971, the Infirmary sparked a few courtship stories of its own, as you will hear from Infirmary staff oral histories. See the many changes in dating and romance from the Victorian-era to modern times.

$5 per adult for guided tours. Advanced reservations are encouraged - 419-352-0967 or volunteer@woodcountyhistory.org.

"DATING THROUGH THE DECADES: Courtship & Weddings" will premiere as a new exhibit at the Spring Opening, April 5, 2008. Also, join us for a BRIDAL TEA, April 10.

We are seeking your dating and wedding stories. We would love to hear your dating experiences, how you met your spouse, and any spcial family customs relating to marriage. Contact Volunteer Coordinator Heather Sloane at volunteer@woodcountyhistory.org or 419-352-0967.

HIGH SCHOOL LETTERMAN JACKETS NEEDED!
The Wood Co. Historical Society is looking for high school letterman jackets to borrow for the February courtship and wedding tours. If you went to high school in Wood County in the 1950s and still have your letterman jacket we would love to put it on display for just a couple weeks.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Volunteers are needed to help with development and tours. Please contact Heather Sloane, volunteer@woodcountyhistory.org, if you are interested in any of these experiences:

• Mannequins. Help us make mannequins for the wedding dresses. Instruction and materials provided. No mannequin-making experience necessary!
• Exhibit set-up. See the behind-the-scenes of setting up a museum exhibit.
• Research. We also need volunteers to research information about prohibition in Wood County.
• Tour Guides and Demonstrators. On the night of the programs, we will need volunteers to help with the tours and demonstrations. There will be a training session on Friday Jan. 25 from 7-9 at the Wood County Historical Museum.