The Dickens Victorian Village display
features informative and educational
plaques at each scene describing
life in Victorian England.

The Dickens Victorian Village display offers excellent opportunities to learn about life during the Victorian era -- a time of both rapid economic growth and economic and social challenges for citizens in England.

Each display features a plaque with factual and interesting information about life during this time.

For example, did you know that...

Charles Dickens wrote "A Christmas Carol" in roughly six weeks. The Cratchit family was based on his own childhood life, he being the eldest of five siblings. Tiny Tim was representative of all children living in poverty.

King William IV died in 1837 and Queen Victoria ascended the throne. This was the true beginning of the "Victorian Era," which ended in 1901 with the Queen's death. She had reigned for almost 64 years, the longest reign in British history.

In the early Victorian period, Christmas presents such as children's toys were handmade and expensive. With the advent of factories and mass production, games and dolls became more affordable and available to all classes. The poorest children received an apple, orange, or a few nuts instead.

The public was fascinated by the new invention of gaslights. Queen Victoria was slow to accept gas lighting, but finally agreed to its use in 1854, when it was used to illuminate the new ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

The lamplighter, an employee of the town, usually used a wick on a long pole to ignite the gas flame of public street gaslights. In 1834, London had over six hundred miles of gas lines laid in order to feed the street lamps.


Learn more about this era of life by visiting each scene and taking a step back in time!

In addition to the walking tour of the Dickens Victorian Village display throughout the historic downtown, school groups can customize their tour itineraries to include diverse activities like learning how to set a proper table to visiting the local art center and chatting with an artist about a career in the arts.

Many of the tour activities help meet State Academic Content Standards from elementary through high school.

Contact Jonett Haberfield, group tour coordinator with the Cambridge/Guernsey County Visitors & Convention Bureau, for assistance with your group field trip plans. 866-334-6446.