Museum’s Valentines Tops, Bear None

Romance from an earlier era is recaptured in the St. Valentine’s Day exhibit at the turn-of-the century Newland House Museum.

On exhibit are more than 50 valentines dating from 1918 to the 1930s. They express sentiments such as this one, dated 1925:

In Cupid’s thrall mercy me!

Am I in love?

Do tell me what’s the matter.

Every time I look at you

My heart goes pitter-patter.

Karen Topol, museum exhibit chairwoman, said, “It’s not too often you can go some place and find displays of old valentines.”

Topol said the nostalgic exhibit, titled “Bears-n-Balentines,” also features more than 80 teddy bears of various ages.

Inside the 98-year-old Victorian house on Beach Boulevard near Adams Avenue, visitors will see a variety of cards, including rare cupid valentines, Topol said.

A postcard dated 1918 bears three cupids and reads:

To my Valentine.

Now don’t they look contented?

Sure we would be as fine,

If you are just my Kewpie and I your Valentine.

There are also three-dimensional, pop-out valentines such as the “Church of St. Valentine,” adorned with a bride and groom and delivering this message: “If my dream of love comes true, someday you will say ‘I do.’ ”

Bears adorn every room of the 2,400-square-foot home, built by farmer William T. Newland. In the kitchen, for instance, is a contemporary bear made of German fake fur and wearing a dress of French silk. The bear, by famed toy maker Kaylin Nilan, is valued at $1,500, Topol said.

The sun porch has a variety of bears on display, including a Smithsonian Institution replica of the Teddy Roosevelt bear.

Bears are also seated around the dining room table for tea time. One bear wears a christening gown made in the 1890s, another shows off a 70-year-old ostrich feather hat, and a third is dressed in a 90-year-old cotton skirt.

There are themed bears in various rooms: angel bears, a Fourth of July bear and Christmas bears, as well as scenes with bears enjoying a picnic, having a birthday party and at a casino.

The cards and bears are on loan from members and friends of the Historical Society and Assistance League of Huntington Beach, Topol said.

The museum, 19820 Beach Blvd., is open today and Thursday from 2 to 4:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. The exhibit ends Sunday.

Information: (714) 962-5777.