Most museums are understood to be quiet, educational, and interesting, but our own Museum of the Albemarle has one quality that others don't; and it's one few people would guess, love.

Yes, Valentine's Day is still a couple weeks away, and yet love is already in the air at the Museum of the Albemarle, because this Saturday, they will host their Colonial Valentine's Day. And the educator in charge of this event, Meg Puckett, says that the traditions we practice each Feb. 14 encompass some of the same traits and values of our forefathers.

Metro Creative Connection (ENLARGE)

Museum of the Albemarle will demonstrate Valentine's Day in Colonial America this Saturday. Many of our contemporary customs can be traced back to the colonial period, such as chocolate treats, especially dipped fruits.

"We would like to show people that love is universal; it is something we have in common with the colonists of the 16th century," says Puckett.

This family event will take place at the Museum of the Albemarle from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday. And children can plan on leaving with their arms full, despite the fact there is no cost for admission.

"They will have plenty of things to take home with them to remind them of how the colonists represented their love," says Puckett.

Children and their parents will start by making their own Celtic love spoons and love knots, traditions that date back to 1620 from Wales, Ireland, and Finland. Upon settling in America, each Valentines Day, the colonists made love spoons that were beautifully engraved with symbols, along with rope love knots because these were inexpensive devotions of love for their wives.

And as it is today, Valentine's Day was a shared day of love for the colonial husband and wife. So aside from their rigorous cleaning, sewing, and cooking, colonial wives also found time to give their husbands gifts on Valentine's Day.

Those who attend the event this weekend will be able to re-create their own versions of the gifts many wives gave their husbands since photography wasn't invented, a drawing of their silhouette. And though it seems as though the holiday must have originated with a couple of human lovers, because of this gift exchanging ritual, it actually originated with a couple of birds instead.

Valentine's Day began when the Romans took notice of the lovebirds' monogamous devotion to one another throughout February. Therefore, children will construct pinecone bird feeders for the coupled-birds that visit their back yard on Valentine's Day. And for their own Valentine's sweet tooth, families will have the chance to experience a colonial treat that is perhaps more indulged today than ever, chocolate dipped fruit and pretzels.

So though they are a bit more commercialized, gift exchanging, love birds, and chocolate are three factors that are as vital for Valentine's Day today as they were during the colonial period. But some other customs have changed.

"Love and affection during the colonial period was a lot more reserved. Though the people had loving relationships, their marriages were usually arranged or directed by their parents for social status," says Puckett.

So, other than the thankful fact that marriages are freely chosen rather than arranged today, the aspects of love and features of Valentine's Day seem very similar to those of the colonists.

"With this event, we'd like people to compare and contrast to see how love has both changed and stayed the same," says Puckett.