Victorian Playhouses
Throughout the month of April, I thought it might be fun to write about a different aspect of the Victorian era each week.
For as long as I can remember, every spring I’ve been drawn to the gracefulness and the beauty of that period. In truth, I’m not sure why that is; perhaps it is the profusion of flowers and the headiness of their scent that make me yearn for the elegance of a Victorian life. Maybe it is spending too many sunny hours exploring the gardens at Biltmore House. Or it could be that I tend to read a lot of late 19th century books over the winter, so am ready for florals and doilies by the time the snow melts.
If you are like me and enjoy thinking about white lace dresses, picnics on emerald green grass and juicy berries covered with cream, join me in learning more about all things Victorian today and throughout this lovely month.
Oh, and to be clear, I am aware that only a small percentage of those who lived during the 1837-1901 period had the luxury of strolling through carefully tended gardens and spending their days in comfort. I will write about the reality of life for rural and urban Victorian residents in future posts, but for now, I’d simply like to share a bit of whimsy and beauty during these hyacinth-scented and daffodil-filled days.
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Rather than me going into a lot of detail about each of these magical playhouses, I thought you might like to visit each site on your own. These “Wendy” houses, as they are called in the UK, were often quite detailed and beautifully designed, sometimes by renowned architects of the time. I’ve included just a small sample of the information I’ve discovered online, just to whet your appetite for bites of buttery shortbread and tiny cups of tea!
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Three floors of history are housed in the Watkins Museum, including the
1878 Van Hoesen’s family’s playhouse.
Little ones are encouraged to play inside the historic structure, now located inside the museum. Learn more when you scroll down on this page.
The more you see this little house, the more you might want to get to know the family history of the house. Be sure to go to the last paragraph on page 72 of this report that you can access by clicking HERE.
Lucy Cornell Van Hoesen Ingalls was one of Issac and Rilla Van Hoesen’s three children who surely had happy memories of the playhouse. Lucy lived into her 80s and had five children of her own!
For a one minute visit, enjoy this short video by clicking HERE.
And while you are discovering this history-rich town, you might want to peruse a few pictures illustrating the history of Lawrence, Kansas when you click HERE.
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Five year old Lucy Jane Haskell received this lovely playhouse in 1885 on her birthday. An incredible example of child-sized Queen Anne architecture, this mini-house with its stained glass, sizable porches, and widow’s walk is a treasure. Since it is open to the public, the next time you are in Alton, Illinois, you might want to stop by for a visit.
Click here to find out about special events, open house dates and more!
Aha! New scholarship changes the history of the house. Click HERE to learn more!
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If you’d like to know more, click HERE for details about the Handwerker children’s playhouse.
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I hope you enjoyed all of these links! I apologize for sending you hither and thither, but there is so much terrific information about these playhouses, I wanted to share at least some of it with you!
