In the news1897
1897 Marconi receives patent for radio communications
Guglielmo Marconi received the first patent for radio communications in 1897.
Hovingham Hall, 5 Apr 1890 – 4 Dec 1973
7 facts2 sources
5 Apr 1890
Born in Hovingham Hall
22 Feb 1933
A daughter is born
1951–1965
Lord Lieutenant of the North Riding of Yorkshire
4 Dec 1973
Dies, aged 83
He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around Hovingham Hall.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
In the news1897
Guglielmo Marconi received the first patent for radio communications in 1897.
Getting around
Mixing modern rail and traditional transport methods
By the late 19th century, railways were the preferred mode for longer distances, while people still routinely used horses, carriages, and walking for short trips or to reach stations. This mixture of old and new technologies meant that even as trains became standard for intercity travel, older methods persisted for everyday urban and rural transport.
At the table
Stretching food resources
Poor families sometimes substituted butter with treacle, while tea was used in nearly every household, with families often re-using tea leaves until all flavor was extracted.
Around the world · 1896The first modern Olympics. Athens hosted the first modern Olympic Games, with 241 athletes from 14 nations.
What people wore
Everyday Clothing for Women
Women typically wore a shift, a petticoat, and a gown with detachable sleeves, while an apron was essential to protect their clothes during daily chores.
Music
Kitchen Parties and Festive Songs
At Christmas time, people enjoyed kitchen dance parties featuring the Polka, the Heel and Toe, and jigs, often ending with step dancing on a farm wagon for prizes. Singing was also ubiquitous at social gatherings, with everyone expected to contribute a song.
Daily life
Shared water and toilets were common
Many working-class homes lacked indoor plumbing, requiring families to share an outdoor tap and toilet with several neighboring households.