Utica’s 19th-Century Nuptials

Posted by Anna D'Ambrosio on August 22nd 2011 | 0 Comments

Tags: Musem of Art

Do you miss the wonderful wedding columns in newspapers of years ago? One could live vicariously through the glorious details—they were a voyeuristic experience then, and, as it turns out, great social history documents now.

April 10, 1891, articles in the Utica Observer and The Utica Daily Press describe the wedding of two of MWPAI’s founders, Maria Watson Williams and Thomas R. Proctor. The articles don’t leave out a single detail. One headline reads: “Utica Society Turns Out En Masse to the Marriage of Two of its Favorites.” The articles explore every aspect of the glorious wedding. Three thousand invitations were sent out and admittance to Grace Church in Utica was by ticket. Guests were serenaded by 50 choir boys and elaborate floral arrangements, including lilies, rare orchids and myriad roses, and palms bedecked the church.

Fountain Elms dining room table set for the lavish reception

The reception was held at Fountain Elms (once the family home to the Williams and later to Rachel Williams and her husband Frederick Proctor). The first-floor rooms were overwhelmingly decorated with flowers of every description and guests were treated to an elaborate buffet of delicacies. As was tradition, lavish displays in several upstairs rooms showcased the wedding gifts.

Gift table in wedding reception exhibition, Fountain Elms period rooms

The Utica Daily press noted: “Although the attendance at the reception was very large and included people in many walks of life, it was noticeable that all were cordially received and there was less formality and stiffness than is usually found in weddings in high life.”

The lengthy newspaper articles are the basis for the installation of the Williams-Proctor wedding in the Museum of Art period rooms in Fountain Elms. Come and be one of the 3,000 guests to Maria and Tom’s wedding, no invitation or ticket required.