As Halloween approaches, the William Root House takes a dive into the past, reimagining a time when mourning was as elaborate as the era's fashion. The home, where Hannah and William Root once lived, has been transformed to replicate a Victorian-era funeral, complete with drawn curtains and rooms adorned with black crepe and ribbons. This unique exhibit, set in the heart of Marietta, offers visitors a glimpse into the customs surrounding death in the 19th century.
New this year to the exhibit is a peculiar piece of funerary equipment: a 19th century embalming/cooling board. Its purpose was to preserve bodies for transport—a practice that became more common during the Civil War. This restored board, originating from Columbus, Ohio and later found in a closed funeral house in Madison, Indiana, now serves as a tangible bridge to understand to more closely attend to our ancestors' final journeys. According to a statement obtained by the City of Marietta's official website, this cooling board is a testament to the era's embalming practices and will likely draw curiosity from those eager to learn about the past.
The Root House Museum's Victorian Funeral Exhibit, which also features mourning jewelry made from human hair among its macabre artifacts, invites the public to engage with history in an interactive manner. Regular admission to the museum includes entrance to this seasonal display, with special flashlight tours available on select October evenings for a unique, ambient experience. With limited space for these nighttime tours, it's advisable to secure tickets in advance by visiting the museum's website.
The William Root House stands as a significant piece of Atlanta's history, being quintessential of its time, rather than the grandiose images of Southern mansions often portrayed in pop culture. It not only preserves the memory of those who lived there, including the Root family and their enslaved house servants, but also the spirit of an age where death was an intricate part of everyday life. The exhibit and self-guided touchscreen tours offer an educational peek into the 1860s, recognized with the honor of 'Museum of the Year' by the Georgia Association of Museums in 2023 for its innovative way to tell these significant stories—a point of pride duly noted by Marietta's announcement.
For those fascinated by historical preservation, Cobb Landmarks & Historical Society, Inc., the guardian organization of the Root House, has been combining the reverence of the past with a look towards a brighter future since 1974. The Victorian Funeral Exhibit is just one of many ways the society fosters connection with our heritage, helping to understand the events, people, and places that shape our collective memories and experiences.
