Discover 'What Those Victorians Wore' at Emlen Physick Estate

Last Updated on Monday, April 16, 2012 04:19 pm Written by Staff Reports Saturday, April 14, 2012 01:00 am

Victorian undergarments will be featured in the new themed tour of Cape May's Emlen Physick Estate, 'What Those Victorians Wore,' starting April 27.

CAPE MAY – In the 1860s, women wore a wire cage under their skirts to give them a dome shape. In the 1880s they wore a shelf in the back to make their behinds stick out a foot. They wore woolen long johns all summer long, up to five layers of underwear and so many buttons, flounces, fringes, pleats, and gathers on their clothes that they looked upholstered like a sofa.

Learn about "What Those Victorians Wore" during guided tours of Cape May's only Victorian house museum, the 1879 Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St., beginning April 27. Get an in-depth glimpse of the Victorian lifestyle as your tour guide leads you through each room in the Estate. You'll learn about Victorian fashion, clothing, undergarments, formal and informal attire and much more.

The new theme will run through April 2013 (except during the holiday season). Tours are offered year-round and admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children (ages 3-12). Tours can also be combined with trolley tours of Cape May's Historic District. Family Fridays begin June 22 with special pricing for families; one child is admitted free with each paying adult.