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VICTORIAN DAYS PATCH PROGRAM
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When you complete the kit you will discover the inventions, foods, games, crafts, clothing, and furniture of the Victorian Days.

1. From the mid 1800s to the early 1900's, America began to change into a modern nation. Immigrants poured into the burgeoning country, filling newly-built factories with workers and the nation became richer. As the nation evolved from agriculture to industry, the middle classes adapted the social manners of the aristocracy. Thus this period of time became known as the "Victorian Age," after the English queen who symbolized the values most people aspired to. Choose two inventions that were developed during this time period and learn more about them. How did it change or help everyday life? What did they use before the invention? Examples are bicycles, telephone, iron, sewing machine and light bulbs.

2. At social gatherings, fans were used by ladies to communicate across a room without speaking. Learn more about the language of the fan. Use a fan to communicate with someone with out speaking. For extra, create your own fan from paper.

3. It was popular for children to shop at candy stores and receive a small bag of candy for 1 cent, called "penny candy". Choose a recipe or food from the Victorian days to try or create your own candy shop and have the children pay a fee to receive a small bag of candy.

4. The introduction of mass production in factories allowed a wider variety of toys to be available for American children. Choose one game to complete or learn more about OR choose a toy to play with or observe. Some examples include: Victorian doll houses, rocking horses, teddy bears, doll cribs, tops, porcelain dolls, and pull along toys.

5. The ladies clothing of the Victorian age varied according to the occasion or the wealth of the family. To make their dresses look fuller, they would wear a hoop under their skirt and secured under the bodice of the dress would be a tight corset. Children had to dress properly for special events as well but had more durable clothes for outdoors and play. Learn more about the ladies or children's clothing of the Victorian period. As you view the clothing, decide which items they would wear to certain events. Some examples are: petticoats, shawls, garden dresses, evening gowns, tea dresses, muffs and plush coats.

6. The most formal room in a Victorian house was the parlor. It was used for entertaining guests and family gatherings. It contained a lot of furniture and accessories to show off the family's wealth. It also contained a lot of chairs to ensure that everyone had a seat. View household items from Victorian Age on websites, books, TV shows, historical sites or events. How are they different from today? Examples include: wing back chairs, four poster beds, sofas with distinctive cut backs, lounges, mirrors, tea tables, and pianos.

7. It was important that men's clothing was perfect for every occasion. If they were going riding, they needed to wear tall boots and a riding coat or if they were attending a formal occasion they need to wear more elaborate clothing. Learn more about the men's clothing during the Victorian period. As you view the clothing decide which items they would wear to certain events. Some examples are: velvet coats, top hats, bow ties, leather shoes, vests, riding boots, and cotton shirts.

8. Dried flower sachets, paper fans, sand art, scrapbooking and silhouettes are just a few of the crafty activities that were enjoyed during the Victorian age. Create a craft popular in this time period.

9. Calling Cards were used when friends or people would "call" or visit a person. The cards were left at the front door or in the parlor in a special dish or designated area. What is a "red letter day"? Did babies have calling cards? Create you own calling card and decorate it according to the holiday or any style you desire.

10. Etiquette was very important during the Victorian Age. Girls were taught at a young age how to serve tea, accept tea, and basic manners at the table. Learn Victorian tea time manners, enjoy teatime food, have a tea party, practice table time manners OR learn how to set a table properly.

11. Parasols, gloves, and hats with exotic feathers were common items worn by ladies during the Victorian era. Girls wore ribbons in their hair or large bows. Try on or wear an accessory from the Victorian times OR decorate a hat, OR make a piece of jewelry, OR create a hair bow, OR design your own accessory to represent this era of time.