Victorian Food & Cooking

The Victorian era was a period of extravagant entertaining for the upper middle and high classes. Victorian meals consisted of as many as nine courses, although many dishes were light and petite-sized. Fine ingredients, such as exotic spices imported from distant countries, were used in lavishly prepared meals. Culinary schools were established for the first time in history, while popular recipe books by chefs such as Agnes B. Marshall and Isabella Beeton became all the rage in England. Detailed measurements and instructions were written down for the first time during this era. New kitchen gadgets such as the can-opener and Ball-Mason jars were introducted. In addition, Victorians began adopting a host of manners and customs surrounding mealtime, in accordance with Beeton's maxim: "A place for everything and everything in its place." Through her widely-read recipe books, Beeton also popularized such phrases as "Dine we must and we may as well dine elegantly as well as wholesomely."

The institution of afternoon tea became highly popular during the Victorian era. Afternoon tea was invented by Anna Duchess of Bedford (1783-1857), one of Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting. During this time, the noble classes ate large breakfasts, small lunches and late suppers. Every afternoon, Anna reportedly experienced what she referred to as a "sinking feeling," so she requested that her servants bring her tea and petite-sized cakes to her boudoir. Many followed the Duchess' lead, and thus the ritual of afternoon tea was birthed. In fact, a culture of sorts emerged around the tradition of drinking tea. Fine hotels began to offer tea rooms, while tea shops opened for the general public. Tea dances also became popular social events at which Victorian ladies met potential husbands.

Victorian Era Fashion

During the Victorian era, the precise cut, material and color of a garment revealed the social class of the wearer. With the growing prosperity of the day, fashions for women of the higher classes became increasingly complex. Dresses were composed of several layers of different shades, cloths and trimmings, and intended to be worn with both under-dresses and over-dresses. Properly dressed ladies accessorized with gloves and bonnets. Bustlines rose, as Victorian modesty gained widespread adherence; and waistlines fell as designers revived the popularity of formal dresses reminiscent of Georgian France. In the first quarter-century, puffy "mutton-leg" sleeves became all the rage, but these were later replaced by fitted sleeves and eventually bell sleeves. Victorians considered the "hourglass" shape to best flatter the female form, and women wore restrictive corsets to achieve this ideal. The Victorian era also saw the progression from crinoline skirts to hoop skirts and finally to bustled skirts. Finally, the invention of sewing machine revolutionized women's fashion on a practical level, as ladies devoted themselves to designing, customizing and making their own garments.

As for accessories of this era, the cameo became all the rage of the mid-19th century. Although Queen Elizabeth was known to favor cameos to complement her garments and Catherine the Great had an impressive collection as well, Queen Victoria revived the jewelry piece during her reign. Cameos during the Victorian era were often attached to a black velvet ribbon and worn as a choker. Jewelers during the nineteenth century used gemstones, stone, shell, lava, coral and manmade materials as mediums to carve cameos. Shell had been used by Italian carvers since 1805, and by the Victorian era, was the favorite material of cameo designers. Popular subjects for cameos included depictions of deities from Greek mythology (especially the Three Graces, the daughters of Zeus), the Biblical Rebecca at the well, and the Bacchante maidens adorned with grape leaves in their hair. The Victorians' appreciation for naturalism, especially their love of gardening, was also captured in cameos featuring flowers and trees. Finally, the Victorian woman of means often commissioned a cameo in her likeness, while other artists depicted an idealized woman with an upswept hairstyle and Romanesque features.

Men's fashions of the era were comparably more comfortable for the wearer. It was considered impolite society for a gentleman to appear in his shirt sleeves before a lady other than his wife, so Victorian men nearly always wore wore an informal "sack coat" during the day. The sack coat was a loose-fitting, single-breasted garment appropriate for travel or business, which was distinctive for its small collar, short lapels, a fastened top button close to the neck, moderately rounded hems, flap or welt pockets on the hips, a welt pocket on the chest and a slightly baggy appearance. Men's formal attire consisted of a top hat, dapper cutaway coat or frockcoat, waistcoat, cravat and trousers.

Victorian Science & Technology

The Victorian era ushered in a tremendous surge of technological invention. Victorians believed in progress and viewed with optimism their Industrial Revolution. Steamboats allowed America to engage in transportation and trade as never before, while railroads connected the nation from north to south and east to west. During this period, the ingenious and prolific Thomas Edison developed the first electric light bulb and phonograph, and improved numerous inventions such as the telegraph, telephone, and motion picture projector. In 1852, Elisha Graves Otis invented the world's first safety elevator that would accompany the new skyscrapers of the day. During the 1890s, Henry Ford devoted himself to designing an internal combustion engine and developing an automobile capable of being mass-produced. At the same time, Victorians were introduced to the bicycle, a symbol of freedom that both men and women enjoyed. Other inventions of the era include Isaac Singer's lockstitch sewing machine; John Hyatt's celluloid, a substance that was used in Victorian shirt collars; John Roebling's steel cable, which as used to construct the Brooklyn Bridge; and Cyrus McCormick's mechanical reaper that made America a world-class wheat producer.

Attractions & Points of Interest in Pittsboro

A small town that is big on culture – that’s Pittsboro! From historic landmarks and museums to art exhibits, concerts, stage productions and outdoor festivals, residents can enjoy a little savior faire right here in a town known for its uniqueness and hospitality.

Carolina Tiger Rescue
Carolina Tiger Rescue, formerly the Carnivore Preservation Trust, is a 501(c)3 nonprofit wildlife sanctuary whose mission is saving and protecting wild cats in captivity and in the wild. For more information: http://www.carolinatigerrescue.org/

Chatham Historical Museum
Exhibits in the museum include artifacts from the museum’s permanent collection and topical displays that change three to four times a year. In the conference room next to the museum, one display illustrates the early settlement and formation of Chatham County and a second traces the history of the county courthouse. For more information: http://www.chathamhistory.org/museum.html


Pittsboro Historic District
Roughly bounded by Chatham St., Small St., Rectory St., and Launis St., Pittsboro: 590 acres, 131 buildings, 1 object. Historic significance: Architecture/Engineering. Architectural style: Early Commercial, Queen Anne. Area of significance: Community Planning and Development, Architecture.

Fearrington Village & Gardens
Eight miles south of Chapel Hill resides Fearrington Village, a bustling village of shops, restaurants and homes tucked away on farm land dating to the 1700s. Farm pastures, home to Fearringtons famous Belted Galloway Cows and Tennessee Fainting Goats, surround the village center which offers a collection of high quality shops and dining options. You will find an independent bookstore, plant nursery, home and garden shop, flower & gift shop, restaurants and a deli. The Old Granary is a full-service restaurant that serves lunch and brunch; The Belted Goat, serves sandwiches, salads, coffee, wine and ice cream; and The Fearrington House is North Carolinas only AAA Five Diamond Restaurant. The gardens at Fearrington Village are open to visitors seven days a week, year round and include: the fragrant white garden; the Dovecote garden, site of many weddings; the Herb garden, which is utilized by the award-winning Fearrington House restaurant; and the Inn's English courtyard and knot garden. Formal tours are conducted by our horticulturalist and can be arranged through the Potting Shed. The inn offers guests a delightful overnight experience with a full gourmet breakfast and traditional English afternoon tea included in the rate. Fearrington Village is open daily to the public. Visitors are welcome to explore our gardens, check out our curiously striped cows and goats, and browse our collection of charming stores.

Rosemary House
A 1912 Colonial Revival home in the heart of Pittsboro, Rosemary House B&B offers five comfortable guest rooms with private baths, telephones, cable TV/VCR, ceiling fan, fireplaces and two-person whirlpools, and a full gourmet breakfast. Relax and rejuvenate in a comfortable historic home convenient to the Triangle's many attractions.

The Woodwright's School
You’ll be doing early Anglo-American style joinery with English-style tools. That’s what this school is about - early music played on the original instruments. Many people like to work with Japanese tools these days, but we will not be using them in this class. As one respected teacher put it, “That would be like stir-frying grits.” For more information: http://www.woodwrightschool.com

What is Neo-Victorian?

Neo-Victorian is an aesthetic movement which amalgamates Victorian and Edwardian aesthetic sensibilities with modern principles and technologies. A large number of magazines and websites are devoted to Neo-Victorian ideas in dress, family life, interior decoration, morals, and other topics.

Examples of crafts made in this style would include push-button cordless telephones made to look like antique wall-mounted phones, CD players resembling old time radios, Victorianesque furniture, and Victorian era-style clothing.

In neo-romantic and fantasy art one can often see the elements of Victorian aesthetic values. There is also a strongly emerging genre of steampunk art. McDermott & McGough are a couple of contemporary artists whose work is all about a recreation of life in the nineteenth century: they only use the ultimate technology available, and since they are supposed to live anachronically, this means the use of earlier photographic processes, and maintaining the illusion of a life stuck in the ways of a forgotten era.

Many who have adopted Neo-Victorian style have also adopted Victorian behavioral affectations, seeking to imitate standards of Victorian conduct, pronunciation, interpersonal interaction. Some even go so far as to embrace certain Victorian habits such as shaving with straight razors, riding penny farthings, exchanging calling cards, and using fountain pens to write letters in florid prose sealed by wax.

Pittsboro By Gaslight...

Take a turn about downtown Pittsboro and you will find many businesses in the downtown area boasting a feel that is markedly ‘Steampunk/Neo-Victorian’, a new cultural movement in which people admire elements of bygone Victorian times and combine them with technology and art in exciting new ways.

S&T Soda Shoppe, General Store Cafe, Davenport & Winkleperry and The City Tap all boast a cozy atmosphere in which dapperly dressed ladies and gentleman can find refreshment and entertainment. Also, Chatham Mill hosts a variety of sights and events that would be of interest to the local Steampunk scene.

We are looking at planning our first event in the fall of 2010. There will be numerous (perhaps humorous) activities to experience throughout the day. Appropriate attire is encouraged.

The Art of Wax Seals

Wax seals have been used for centuries. Long before adhesive envelopes were invented, wax seals were used to prevent a letter from being tampered with or opened by unwelcome, prying individuals. They were also used to convey authority and identity, as seals were often stamped with initials, symbols from a family crest, or other unique identifying marks. (Think Scarlet Pimpernel...) Today, wax seals convey an inexplicable sense of romance, mystery and elegance. In certain states and commonwealths, there are still legal requirements on the books that obligate certain official documents to be sealed, rather than embossed. Documents are wrapped with flat red binding tape and sealed before witnesses, some of whom then apply 'seals' or signature rings to the warm wax so any tampering will be immediately evident. And while the United States Postal Service doesn't always like to deliver sealed mail, the federal law requires that they do so.

Today, there are many different colors available for sealing wax. In the Middle Ages, the sealing material was initially pure beeswax, ranging in color from almost white to yellow to brown. During the 11th century, pigments were added, e.g., red, green, yellow, black. In addition, manufacturers began to experiment with adding various resins in order to make the wax harder and the images to appear sharper. Unfortunately, this resulted also in rendering the seal impressions more brittle. The composition of the sealing wax changed over the centuries and from country to country. For example, in 19th century England the material for royal seals was almost pure shellac. The color used denoted the substance of the letter's contents or the relationship between the sender and recipient. For instance, letters of mourning were sealed with black wax, while letters of business used red wax. In addition, the sizes of seals varied throughout the years. The general tendency for seals of royalty or nobility was a steady growth through the centuries. Sigebert III, a monarch had a seal designed for him in the year 638 that was barely 1 centimeter (3/8 inch) in diameter. Russian czar Alexander II had an enormous seal designed in 1856 that measured 26 centimeters (over 10 inches). City seals in many European countries were often very large. Most seals of the 13th and 14th centuries were approximately 9 centimeters (3 1/2 inches) in diameter, but these official seals became smaller throughout the centuries.

Learning to use wax seals is very easy. First, clear a workspace for yourself where you can lay out paper, a candle, your wax sticks, seal, and any ribbons you would like to use. Then, holding the pointed end of your wax stick to candlelight, warm your wax stick until it is softened and begins to drip. Drip a generous portion of the wax over your envelope or letter, where you want to seal. If you are using ribbon, place two short strips of cut ribbon on envelope before dripping wax. Drip on ribbon and envelope. Using your seal, press firmly on soft wax. Clean seal properly when finished.