The early 1800th century

The house at 18 Kyrkogatan has as most of the houses in Old Mariestad been located here since the first decade of 1800th. On a sign at the frontdoor you can read about a lady named Ulrika Karolina Widström who lived here as an old lady.

She lived and practised most of her life in the Stockholm and was married to the courtier Carl Widström at court of Gustav III. Ulrika Karolina Widström, became a widow in 1812 and moved to "the countryside". She came to Mariestad with all her belongings in 1830, eleven years before her death.

Ulrika Karolina Widström, the personage of culture, had gained a good reputation as poet in the cultured circles in Stockholm.

She arrived as a graceful lady to the small town of  Mariestad and was described in the following way:

"a little cheerful old woman, with vivid, expressive eyes in which still were a lot of youthfulness and an everlasting brightness of soul".