History museum explores Victorian lifestyle with American Girl dolls

The Hinsdale Historical Society Women's Board and its Education Committee will be greeting second- and third-grade children with their own or borrowed Samantha and Rebecca dolls with "Through the Eyes of a Child: American Girl Book Discussions" at the Hinsdale Historical Society House Museum.

Through the eyes of a child, imagine walking up to an 1874 Italianate style home whose interior transforms you back in time through decor, traditions and living styles of the Victorian era.

Bringing this experience to life by engaging children in an interactive book discussion will be volunteer Debbie Turner from 3 to 4 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 4 and 11 for St. Isaac's Jogues Girl Scouts. From 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 18, volunteers LeeAnne Stifflear and daughter Payton for Lane School children.

These generous volunteers will lead participants in an interactive discussion that will compare today's lifestyle ease to that of past families where moms staged themselves primarily in the kitchen for ironing, cooking, warming water for the bath and keeping ice in the ice box to cool food, as well as many other delightful secrets of the past.

Also, included in the experience will be a tour of the historical Italianate style home of the Hinsdale History Museum, provided by museum manager Anne Swenson.

St. Isaac's Jogues Girl Scouts and the Lane School are the current recipients of this engaging experience that is spreading through the community!

For a tour of the museum, contact Anne Swenson, (630) 789-2600. For more information about the American Girl Book Discussions, contact Maria Kelly, (630) 323-3206 to inquire, organize, volunteer, or schedule a date for your group.

For membership (inclusive of an Hinsdale Historical Society family membership), visit www.HinsdaleHistory.org and click on Women's Board.

The Hinsdale Historical Society House Museum is located at 15 S. Clay St. in Hinsdale.