Each year on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day is celebrated by many people throughout the world for the day is celebrated as a holiday in several countries. The norm is to exchange cards, candy, gifts, and flowers with a special “valentine” and loved ones. According to the History Channel website, approximately 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second most popular card-sending holiday after Christmas. According to the Greeting Card Association, women purchase approximately 85% of all Valentine’s Day cards.

Valentine’s Day greetings were popular as far back as the Middle Ages, though written valentine’s didn’t begin to appear until after 1400. The oldest known valentine still in existence today is a poem written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London following his capture at the Battle of Agincourt. Several years later, it is believed that King Henry V hired a writer named John Lydgate to compose a valentine to Catherine of Valois.

By 1900, printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in printing technology. Ready-made cards and postcards with printed text were an easy way for people to express their emotions for Valentine’s Day.

The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum’s collection shows three Valentine’s Day cards. The cards were given to Wayne Greeley from his teachers. One is from Miss Jennings and is dated 1934. One card is from Miss Jennings dated 1935, and one is from Miss Glynn dated 1938. Wayne went to school at Lyon County District School #84. District #84 was located in Sodus Township.

Join us for Tea and Sweets at the Lyon County Museum on Friday, Feb. 14, and Saturday, Feb. 15, from 2-4 p.m. Enjoy tea, lemonade, and sweets in the museum’s ice cream shop. While enjoying tea and sweets, you can make vintage Valentines. Design ideas and supplies will be set out to create old-fashioned Valentines. The Tea and Sweets event is free will donation.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 West Lyon Street in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.