How was Valentine’s love expressed in the 1800s? New Butler County exhibit has amazing examples

How did lovers during the late 1800s express their Valentine’s affinity for each other?

The Butler County Historical Society has an exhibit about that, and it opens on Valentine’s Day.

The exhibit will feature actual Victorian-era valentine’s cards, and will run from Thursday through mid-April. It’s free, and will be in the Emma Ritchie Auditorium of the historical society building, 327 N. Third St., in Hamilton.

The exhibit also will be accompanied by a special event at 7 p.m. Friday. The society’s executive director, Kathy Creighton, will discuss how Valentine’s celebrations evolved during the period, including how Cupid, flowers and love grew to be part of Valentine’s cards. That Friday wine-and-cheese event will run from 6 to 9 p.m. and is for historical society members only. But non-members will be able to join the society that evening.

Membership rates are $15 for students, $20 for adults, and $30 for households.

People who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by calling 513-896-9930.

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