The Victorian Society is a non-profit organization operating in the United States dedicated to preserving and promoting 19th-century artistic heritage. The society focuses on education, organizes symposia, and runs summer schools in the USA and the UK. In addition to lectures and excursions, the society annually organizes three summer schools with rich programs open to the general public. These summer schools took place in Newport, Rhode Island, London, and Chicago, Illinois, which we will introduce in more detail in the following article. The tuition fees are pretty high, but thanks to the many supporters and philanthropists involved in the organization, students can apply for partial or full scholarships based on their financial needs.

Summer School in Newport – The Gilded Age

In 2022, I attended the summer school in Newport, Rhode Island. Newport, located on the southern part of Aquidneck Island, is a stunning place surrounded by the ocean, with nearly white sandy beaches washed by the waves of the Atlantic. From its very beginning, it was an important port with deep harbors, which enabled the development of international trade.

The summer school primarily focuses on the Gilded Age (1870–1900), a period when Newport experienced its greatest boom and became a popular summer resort town. Wealthy business families, such as the Vanderbilts, Astors, and Morgans, began building their mansions here. Daily lectures provide deeper insights into this fascinating period and are complemented by themed excursions. The summer school program includes visits to the grand Vanderbilt residences, original colonial architecture, and private homes with unique art collections. Additionally, informal receptions offer opportunities to meet many interesting people.

During the summer school, participants have the chance to admire firsthand the Romanesque Revival architecture of Henry Richardson, the neo-Baroque interiors of Jules Allard, and the masterful works of Richard Morris Hunt, whose legacy in Newport is indelible. He was responsible for designing the magnificent Breakers mansion, built for Cornelius Vanderbilt II.

This experience provides a unique opportunity not only to learn about American architecture of the late 19th century but also to see these extraordinary buildings in person. A significant advantage is the prestige of the Victorian Society, which grants students access to private residences that would otherwise be inaccessible.

A Unique Architectural Experience: Victorian Society Summer School

Last year, I had the opportunity to participate in the Victorian Society Summer School in Chicago, an exceptional program offering deep insight into the city’s architectural heritage. Now, applications are open again for those interested in exploring Chicago’s rich architectural history through expert lectures and guided site visits.

The program provided an immersive exploration of Chicago’s architectural legacy, combining lectures by leading experts with on-site visits to some of the city’s most significant buildings. It began with an introduction to Chicago’s role in shaping modern architecture, particularly through the Chicago School and the development of the modern skyscraper. 

Expert-led lectures contextualized key themes, including the influence of Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies van der Rohe, before participants explored their buildings firsthand. The Auditorium Building (1889) by Sullivan, with its innovative structure and richly ornamented interiors, illustrated the transition from historicism to early modernism. In contrast, Mies van der Rohe’s Farnsworth House (1951), a minimalist glass structure blending seamlessly with its natural surroundings, showcased postwar modernist ideals.

One of the most memorable experiences was the guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Robie House (1909), a masterpiece of the Prairie School movement. Walking through its open-plan interiors, carefully framed views, and intricate leaded-glass windows provided a profound understanding of Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture. A visit to Wright’s Home and Studio (1889) further revealed his early experiments with space and structure, offering insight into his creative process. 

Beyond these iconic buildings, the program also explored Chicago’s urban development, planned residential communities, and preservation efforts. The blend of academic lectures, direct engagement with historic sites, and discussions with fellow participants created a dynamic learning environment that deepened my perspective on architectural history and its connections to urban planning and social change.

Participating in the Victorian Society Summer School was a profoundly enriching experience, offering a unique opportunity to engage with historically significant buildings, leading experts, and fellow researchers. The program broadened my academic perspective and provided lasting professional connections.

Journey of Victorian life lined with William Morris wallpapers and pre-Raphaelites art

The summer school in London was the best two weeks I have ever experienced in this city. London Summer School taught me to be present, observe, and examine; these are the most valuable skills for every researcher dealing with art.

Since reading some books about Victorian London, I have been intrigued by life in London during the Victorian period, especially everyday life. During our London Summer School, we had so many wonderful lectures, and I was always engrossed in every topic we discussed. Kit Wedd told us everything about the building of Belgravia Square and the materials and elements essential to building a Victorian house. And Rosemary Hill guided us through the Palace of Westminster as if we were monarchs who came to the Parliament for a parliamentary session and told us everything about the collaboration of A. W. N. Pugin and Charles Barry. We saw almost every aspect of Victorian life. Our journey, lined with William Morris’s wallpapers and pre-Raphaelite paintings, covered most aspects of Victorian life, from churches, the Parliament, ordinary dwellings, and Victorian gardens, to the arts and crafts movement, galleries, sewers, and even death.

The part of our journey where we learnt about Death was in my favourite Highgate Cemetery. I’ve already visited it before, but this was a completely different and better experience. We planned a twilight tour at 6pm. It is not quite twilight at that time of day in summer, but thanks to our hour-and-a-half delay from Oxford and especially the rainy weather, the Highgate Cemetery and its director Ian Dungavell welcomed us in a very spooky atmosphere. Highgate Cemetery, located in North London near beautiful Hampstead Heath, was founded in 1839, is one of the Victorian cemeteries in London. 

It helped with the appalling lack of burial places in the crowded churchyards of the city centre. Because of the fear of corpse thieves in the 19th century, people who could afford it used lead coffins with wooden ornamental cases. But the absence of ventilation holes in the coffins caused pressure inside, sometimes resulting in explosions. The mourning visitors could thus witness strange sounds in the cemetery. Later, ventilation was added. We were advised not to touch fragile coffins that are could be easily damaged since some are still under pressure. Thanks to our excellent guide, the Highgate Cemetery tour was probably my absolute favourite. 

Another place I enjoyed was The Sambourne Family Home, a museum of the famous draughtsman Linley Sambourne. I especially love house museums such as Sir John Soane’s and Charles Dickens’ museums, so this was a hidden gem for me. I could finally see the typical layout of a Victorian house with kitchens in the basement, salons and bedrooms upstairs, and a narrow staircase − even with a fern vitrine! Fern fever or madness took over the Victorian era, and many people, mostly amateur naturalists, searched for new kinds of ferns in the countryside, collecting, sketching and growing them indoors. Ferns thrived in Victorian houses because of moisture and became popular in patterns of fabrics, wallpapers and even on biscuits! 

Do you know the feeling when you read a book that has everything you like in it? That was the London Summer School for me. And thanks to the generosity of the Victorian Society in America, I could fulfil my dream to be part of it. I anticipated seeing beautiful architecture and artwork, but I didn’t even dare to dream about being there with such a wonderful group of kind, lovely and generous people.