Victorian Craft Demonstrations at the McLoughlin House
The McLoughlin Memorial Association 2024 Schedule of Victorian Crafts
Noon - 3PM at the Barclay House
719 Center Street, Oregon City, OR, 97045
March 9: 'Housewife' - Sew this multifunction tool with pocket flaps to keep your hand sewing accoutrements.
April 13: Scissor Case - Bring your own scissors and make a custom fit case for this essential tool!
May 11: Clam/Balloon Bag - These little gems hold a spool of thread, stitch markers, a thimble, change or other small objects.
June 8: Covered Tape Measure
July 13: Jewelry Roll-Up
August 10: NO CRAFTS! - The McLoughlin Memorial Association will be busy tending to their annual yard sale fundraiser.
September 14: Dorset Buttons
October 12: UFO (UnFinished Object)
The September 2022 session will teach participants how to do English paper pattern piecing.
McLoughlin Memorial Association
Victorian Craft Demonstrations for the 2024 season will be on a first come, first serve basis through a reservation system. The McLoughlin Memorial Association will begin accepting reservations for each demo two weeks in advance. Reservations will be confirmed prior to the scheduled Victorian Craft Demonstration. Please contact the McLoughlin Memorial Association for questions or to make your reservation at mcloughlinmemorial@gmail.com.
You're invited to step back in time and join the McLoughlin Memorial Association and the National Park Service at the McLoughlin House Unit in Oregon City, Oregon, for a very special demonstration series featuring crafts that were popular in the early to mid-1800s.
Throughout history, women have used their skill with their hands to clothe their families and decorate their homes. However, the changes that came with the Industrial Revolution of the 1800s meant that many ladies of the middle class now had leisure time to fill. New materials, patterns and magazines for women became widely available, and needlework and other crafts became all the rage as never before!
Needlework and the arts became a standard part of education for girls - a proper education included sewing, knitting, and embroidery, and often watercolor painting and drawing as well as musical training. Working class girls were taught knitting, crochet and sewing at charity schools, so that they might earn a better living. Rich or poor, girls and women were expected to be busy and productive all the time, to demonstrate their virtue and industriousness. After all, it was said that "the devil finds work for idle hands." We hope that you will enjoy this opportunity to glimpse into the lives and skills of Victorian ladies!
