Did you know that during the Victorian period, school become mandatory for kids between 5 and 13? That’s right – if it weren’t for laws passed in 1870, we wouldn’t have to wake up early, do homework, and pass exams. We’re pretty sure that the kids in this photo had different things on their minds.
We see a classroom of boys and girls all sitting in neat rows in a Victorian classroom. They’re all looking in the direction of their teacher. Though the exact year of this photo is not known, from the look of the classroom and the young age of the kids, we believe it hails from the Victorian era. The photo is also an original glass negative – photography typical during this time.
Children at Play
Those times were simpler. The toys were simpler. The children were simpler. And photos were a big thing. These children all had to stop what they were doing and get ready for the photo. Though they’re completely oblivious to the fact, almost two centuries later we’re looking at them trying to learn about the Victorian times. This photo was taken right at the end of the period, in the early 1900s.
Though these children have much simpler toys – like a babydoll and pram, a rocking horse, and a retro wheel cart – they came from wealthy homes. They are dressed in typical Victorian attire. The girls are in hats, full-length dresses, and boots, while the boy is sporting a hat and pants and a buttoned-up pullover.
Victorian LGBT
The rules of Victorian fashion were pretty much established. When it came to what women wore, most Victorians knew what was acceptable and what was a complete no-go. Women were expected in full-length dresses that were to be accompanied by hats and boots in outdoor settings. Taken in 1890, we have a photo of three women who not only broke the rules of fashion but also the rules of love.
They didn’t allow the laws to dictate to them who they were allowed to love. And of course, they made their statement with their clothing showing their willingness to defy the rules. Two of the women are posing wearing pants while the third is wearing a dress. Though they’re all donning their hats, these former sisters did things differently back then.
A Proto-Wheelchair
When we think about past periods, we often wonder how people with disabilities coped during times when medicine and engineering were less developed. For individuals who were handicapped, here we have a photo of what kind of wheelchair was used during the Victorian Era. Since this more basic model has three wheels (two larger ones at the back and a smaller one at the front) it bears much resemblance to the current models we use.
And while it is more basic, it doesn’t look that uncomfortable. The handicapped individual also looks dashing in his hat and suit. And with the three all striking a pose, the photo makes a very dignified affair. Not too bad for more than a century ago.
A Mother, Child, and Bicycle
Back in 1878, the British Engineer, Thomas Humber, advanced the already-existing bicycle models and created Humber cycles. In fact, Humber’s bicycle models were such a hit in Victorian times, they became known as “the aristocrat among bicycles.” And from this picture, we’d definitely say so. Though we don’t know the year this photo was taken, we do know that the mother in the photo is Mrs. Hicks.
Posing with her Humber bicycle, Mrs. Hicks and her young daughter are members of the upper class. And it’s not only because Mrs. Hicks owns a Humber Beeson bicycle, but she and her daughter’s wardrobe suggests they are aristocrats. Guess, it is perfectly fitting that the aristocrats would be pedaling about on this fancy bicycle.