18 SOLERA DIAMOND VALLEY | FEBRUARY 2017
By Berkie Harris, Resident
Love is in the air every month of the year at The Victorian
Bridal Museum located in downtown Hemet. The museum
was started by Hemet resident Eve Faulkner who has been
collecting Victorian gowns and accoutrements for over 30
years. The museum originally opened in the Old Towne
District of Orange, CA. When Eve and her husband retired to
Hemet several years ago they closed the Orange location and
reopened in the Hemet Opera House Building which was built in 1895
by Hemet's founder W.F. Whittier.
On exhibit are many lovely original gowns. The oldest that I could
spot were from 1835 and 1845. Many of the designs were inspired by
Queen Victoria who ascended to the throne of England in 1837 and
married Prince Albert in 1840. Next oldest were from the Civil War Era
– 1864 and 1865. An elegant 1900 high necked gown of embroidered
lace sits on a pedestal next to a case holding period accessories such
as shoes, gloves and veils. Many photographs of brides,
grooms and their attendants are also on display.
Although black is not a common color for a guest to wear
to a wedding, it did appear during periods of mourning.
One example is the black lace dress worn by Mary Hollister
Banning to her daughter's wedding in 1890. Mrs. Banning
wore black because her husband General Banning had died
just before the wedding. General Banning was the founder
of the Port of Los Angeles and an important figure in the history of
Southern California. A visit to the Victorian Bridal Museum, located
along side La Boutique Consignment which specializes in fancy ball
gowns and party frocks, is worth the effort any time of the year.
The Victorian Bridal Museum: 146 N. Harvard St.; Hours:
Tuesday to Friday 11 am – 5 pm, Saturday 9:30 am – 4 pm, closed
Sunday and Monday. For more information, call (951) 255-4411
or visit www.VictorianBridalMuseum.com.
Culture Club
The Victorian Bridal Museum
