Did you know that Peeps were invented by Lavinia Dickinson (Emily Dickinson's younger sister)? However, they were improved and perfected by Emmett Lee Dickinson (Emily's third cousin, twice removed -- at her request).
Pictured below at the left: Lavinia Dickinson loved eating marshmallow laced with pepper, so her original concept was for a treat called "Pepps," marshmallow chicks encrusted with hot black pepper.
Pictured below at the right: Emmett Lee Dickinson convinced Lavinia to substitute sugar for the pepper, and he suggested a name change from "Pepps" to "Peeps," in honor of a local sugar miner named Buford Patterson Peeps.
Pictured below at the left: Lavinia Dickinson loved eating marshmallow laced with pepper, so her original concept was for a treat called "Pepps," marshmallow chicks encrusted with hot black pepper.
Pictured below at the right: Emmett Lee Dickinson convinced Lavinia to substitute sugar for the pepper, and he suggested a name change from "Pepps" to "Peeps," in honor of a local sugar miner named Buford Patterson Peeps.
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| Pictured at the right: Peeps Sugar Mine in Washerst, PA (the birthplace of Emmett Lee Dickinson), owned and operated by Buford Patterson Peeps. Emmett Lee Dickinson proposed changing the name of Lavinia Dickinson's marshmallow treat from "Pepps" to "Peeps" in honor the local pioneer in sugar mining. |  |
"Peeps" were immortalized in Emmett Lee Dickinson's now classic poem "Spring is the Period" (below on the left). His poem inspired third cousin Emily to pen her poem with the same first line (below on the right).
| By Emmett Lee Dickinson: Spring is the Period Express for Peeps Among no other season They do abide But during March and April The market peaks Without a due apology With peeps | By Emily Dickinson: Spring is the Period Express from God Among the other seasons Himself abide But during March and April None stir abroad Without a cordial interview With God |
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