Virginia Wheeler Martin Family History and Learning Center: Valentine's Day

Medina County Historical Society

Valentine’s Day…or St. Valentine’s Day,

is next week.

February 14th has been known as St. Valentine’s Day for centuries. It is said to have been named after a martyred cleric in Rome, who was a good man and preached the ideas of love and taking care of one's less fortunate neighbors. It was more of a day to celebrate the love of mankind, not a day of sending love notes to one another.

Brunswick Signal, 27 Feb 1936

According to an article in the Brunswick Signal, the Romans then began using the date for matching up men with women. The men would then be responsible for the woman's care for the year.

Medina County Historical Society

It slowly evolved into a day to celebrate the love of couples and finding different ways to express love between sweethearts. For example, gloves were given as gifts and the recipient wore them on Easter Sunday, poems were sent on hand made cards, and when printing became more affordable, cards were made and sold to the public.

Medina County Historical Society

By the 1840’s and 1850’s, America had adopted the holiday and the tradition of sending a card to your Valentine.

The earliest mention of Valentine's Day which I could find in a Medina County's newspaper is in the Medina Mirror, February 13, 1855. Where the writer was scolding those who sent “comical” valentines to women.

Library of Congress

At this time and well into the 20th century there were "Vinegar Valentines" and they were meant to be mean and many times did not shine a very nice light on women.

Medina County Historical Society

However, there were some which used a man as their "vinegary" target.

“A Kind of peacock, or a cockatoo,
Is what we all behold when we see you;
With hat in hand, you bow with much grimace,
But better far to see your back than face,
Begone, poor fool – to make love don’t incline –
Who wants a parrot for a Valentine.”

Most of the Valentine's were sweet images and words of love....

Medina County Historical Society

Medina County Historical Society

Once printing becoming more affordable, Valentine's Day cards became a big business even in Medina County.

Medina County Gazette, 14 Feb 1861

In 1861, Armstrong's, a book & stationary store located where the Old Phoenix bank building now stands, advertised their "exquisite lot of Valentines".

Some stores weren't even stationary or book stores..