How to Be a Victorian
Think you could be a Victorian? Find out! Each month, How to Be a Victorian takes on a different part of everyday life in the 19th century — from getting dressed and going to school, to surviving winter, and celebrating Christmas. Explore historic objects, try your hand at Victorian skills, and tackle the everyday challenges of life before modern conveniences. History isn’t just something to look at — it’s something to try.
Each month features a different theme, all activities are included in the price of admission (FREE for family membership holders). Activities are designed for ages 5-12. Bring the whole family!
Pre-registration is recommended, but not required. If you wish to pre-register, select the Sunday and tour time of your choice and pre-pay your admission, walk-in visitors are welcome space permitting.
September – Back to School
Ready for your first day at Victorian school? Pick up a dip pen, test your handwriting, tackle a tricky lesson, and discover whether you’d make the grade! Explore the rules, routines and realities of school in the 19th century—and see how your school day compares.
October – Superstitious
Explore a time when ghosts, omens, superstitions and mysterious happenings were part of everyday life. Test your luck, uncover some curious beliefs, and discover what Victorians feared, believed—and sometimes couldn’t explain. Come explore the strange side of the Victorian era… if you dare!
November – Reuse & Recycle
Nothing goes to waste! Discover how Victorian households made the most of what they had, finding clever ways to repair, reuse and repurpose everyday materials. Try your hand at some old-fashioned ways of making do, explore the surprising second lives of ordinary objects, and see just how creative you can get when you can’t simply buy a new one!
December – Christmas Celebrations
Explore the traditions, decorations, foods, games and gifts that made Christmas special in the 19th century. Discover how Victorians celebrated the season, try your hand at some festive traditions, and see how much of the Christmas we know today has its roots in the Victorian era. Come celebrate Christmas the Victorian way!
January – Winter Blues
How do you beat the winter blues without screens, streaming or central heating? Discover how Victorians kept warm, entertained and busy through the long, dark winter months. Try your hand at old-fashioned games and pastimes, explore the science and history of candlelight, heat and keeping warm, and discover the clever ways Victorians made winter a little brighter. Come warm up, have fun, and beat the winter blues—Victorian-style!
February – Love & Courtship
How did you flirt before texting? Step into the world of Victorian love and courtship, where a glance, a calling card, or a carefully chosen valentine could say a lot. Discover the rules, rituals and secret signals of Victorian romance, try your hand at old-fashioned ways of sending a message, and see if you could navigate the complicated world of courtship. Love was complicated enough without smartphones!
March – Maple Production
Discover how families turned maple sap into sweet syrup before modern equipment made the job easier. Explore the tools, techniques and hard work behind maple production, learn how to identify the signs of sugaring season, and see what it took to get that delicious sweetness from tree to table. Grab your bucket and get ready to tap into the past!
April – Spring Cleaning
Time to roll up your sleeves! Discover what it took to get a Victorian home sparkling clean without modern appliances, sprays or convenience products. Try your hand at old-fashioned cleaning techniques, explore the tools of the trade, and tackle the chores that kept a 19th-century household running. It’s spring cleaning—Victorian-style!
May – Grow Your Own
Ready to get your hands dirty? Discover how Victorian families grew food, herbs and flowers to feed their households and make the most of every inch of garden space. Explore historic gardening tools and techniques, learn about seasonal planting, and try your hand at growing things the Victorian way. Dig in and discover where the garden meets the kitchen!
June – Fun in the Sun
Summer is here—time to get outside and have some fun! Discover how Victorians made the most of long summer days before screens, video games and air conditioning. Try old-fashioned games, explore summer pastimes and traditions, and find out how Victorians turned simple pleasures into a day of fun. Grab your sunhat and come play Victorian-style!