Mourning in McLean
Death was a frequent visitor in early U.S. history, arriving through disease, starvation, violence, and warfare. It was a force both feared and, at times, accepted by society. For those who remained after a loved one passed beyond the veil, mourning took many forms. Our customs and practices around death have deep roots, particularly in the 19th century, with the Civil War marking a pivotal period. Soldiers, often dying far from home, left families desperate to retrieve their bodies for proper burial. Over time, the need to honor and memorialize the deceased has manifested in various ways across cultures and eras, ranging from simple rituals to elaborate ceremonies steeped in tradition. Whether through intimate family gatherings or public displays, these acts of remembrance reflect evolving views on death and mourning.
Mourning in McLean, on display from September 15 through November 21, 2025, will explore how death was perceived, and how people mourned and commemorated their loved ones from the mid-19th century to the early 20th century. The exhibition will feature objects and archival materials from the Museum’s collections that highlight burial practices, mourning customs, burial locations, and how the deceased are remembered. Items such as post-mortem photography, hairwork jewelry, mourning wreaths, ribbons, altars, memorial cards, and monuments all serve as powerful expressions of remembrance. Through these displays, we will explore how death is an inevitable part of life and how we keep the memory of those who have passed alive.
For more information, please contact the Education Department by clicking here or 309-827-0428.