As soon as it warms up, wanderlust strikes like magic! Our thoughts start drifting away from responsibilities and towards new adventures. Once an unavoidable necessity, travel for pleasure first became fashionable during Victorian high society’s reign in 18th-century Britain; women recorded intimate details about their excursions in journals or diaries kept throughout these journeys; recording these details became popular pastime among ladies of this era if possible; recording intimate details can even become a hobby nowadays if we are fortunate enough to possess one like Duke University Digital Repository’s collection of 1827-1991 women travel diaries will make this exploration accessible anytime they please!
According to the site, these diaries were written by British and American women who documented their travels around the globe – India, West Indies countries of Europe Africa Middle East as well as around United States.” Located at Duke University’s David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library part of Sallie Bingham Center for Women’s History Culture as part of Sallie Bingham Center these 165 travel diaries have been beautifully digitized for online browsing and research purposes.
Please be aware: These women’s travel diaries are scans from rare books; unfortunately transcriptions are unavailable (with one exception). From old-fashioned cursive writing to age and wear on text pages, deciphering it may prove challenging but even so its descriptions alone will transport your mind far-off places while prompting more investigation of those behind these adventures. Many journals contain photographs, maps and sketches by their authors in addition to text pages.
Let’s join some of these courageous ladies on their adventures…no passport required!
Mary C. Parks journal from 1827-1832, vol.1 Its Over a number of years Mary C. Parks traveled widely through Germany, France and Switzerland with friends and family, keeping two journals to document everything from local landscape to the histories of historical sites as well as sketches and extracts from letters among her entires.
Harriet Sanderson Stewart Diary of “Western Wanderings,” 1906-1907, Vol 2
In 1906, British woman Harriet Sanderson Stewart traveled with her father to visit the West Indies, Canada and United States (Boston, New York City and Washington D.C.). Ms. Stewart documented her travels through two volumes, detailing everything from native plants and entertainment options to customs in each locale she visited – along with numerous watercolors and photographs by Stewart herself as well as postcards, maps menus menus menus menus menus menus menus menus maps menus menus menus dried flora specimens!
Jeanette Reid Healy was a wealthy couple from Chicago whose successful harp-making company Lyon & Healy enabled them to travel extensively during 1920-1922, exploring Japan, Korea, China as well as Africa and Europe. Mrs. Healy wrote extensively during this journey about Asia – its culture and people; her experiences at public baths; kimono; Korean Independence Movement members; The Great Wall; as well as setting up their house with servants in Peking China. In her diary (volume 1) Mrs Healy recounts all this trip along the way – covering Japan; Korea; as well as Africa and Europe during that period – as she did so many details in this volume alone!
Now that you’ve been inspired by these women’s travel diaries from the past, it’s time to look toward the future. Consider recording your own experiences during your next vacation or family excursion and keeping a travel diary to preserve for future generations to enjoy! Thank you and safe travels!
