Willowbank National Historic Site

Most settler children owned only two outfits?one for wear every day and one for Sunday. Children?s Clothing of the 1800s shows readers how children dressed in the 19th century and how the early settlers were masters of recycling by passing clothes down from child to child, darning them, or using them to make other things like rag rugs.

This illustrated dictionary introduces readers to life in North America during the Victorian era, between 1837 and 1901. Beautiful illustrations show how the way of life of the settlers in North America was influenced by the customs and traditions of Victorian England. Themes include the ornate Victorian home, the fancy fashion for men, women and children, the introduction of Christmas celebrations and the way of life in wealthy families.

This illustrated dictionary introduces readers to early celebrations of Christmas in North America and around the world. Beautiful illustrations focus on Christmas customs and traditions in the Victorian era, especially those practiced by the early settlers in North America. Each spread features a particular Christmas theme and explains its origin.

From the perspective of brother and sister John and Emily, we are taken through a day in the life of a child growing up in the 19th Century. As soon as the sun rises, the day starts for this family of early settlers. They go on their long walk to their one-room school for the day's lessons and they end the day with their chores back at the home.

Visiting a Village is an ideal introduction to understanding the concept of community. Children will learn how the settlers worked together with a spirit of cooperation by trading their goods and services with each other. Knowing about what they might see on their first visit to an historic site will help spark a child?s curiosity.

Early pioneers would travel from far and wide to visit the gristmill for the essential service of having their grain ground. Communities often developed in areas where gristmills had been built. In The Gristmill young readers will find out how the miller produced flour, the staple of life, as well as learn many facts, such as how wheat becomes bread, where the gristmill was located and why it was a necessary part of the community and the job of the millers.