The Victorian era might have been one of amazing change for women, but for many, if not most, their primary place was still in the home. Even if she worked or went to college, a woman still needed to know how to maintain a home properly. And so, articles abounded on how to be an effective housekeeper - with or without servants. Many of the articles below that purport to be a "school" or "class" are simply the writer's instructions presented in a fictional "classroom" setting. But do not despise the poor Victorian home-maker! Maintaining a Victorian home was far from easy and required a great deal of knowledge, the ability to manage others, the ability to plan schedules and manage a budget, and much more.

Mrs. MacClarty - Scenes from the Cottagers of Glenburnie (Chambers Miscellany, 1845)

This appears to be an educational piece thinly veiled as fiction, and offers much information on cottage life in the 1840's.

New Kitchen Implements (Illustrated London Almanack, 1850)

A detailed list of all the items and utensils that are needed in a well-equipped kitchen!

Heating Rooms (Peterson's, 1856)

Lots of useful tips on how to manage stoves and fireplaces.

My Housekeeping Class, by Mrs. M.C. Hungerford (Demorest, 1879)

A multi-part article on various housekeeping topics.

Suggestions to Young Housekeepers, Part I, by Mrs. S.W. Oakey (Scribner's, 1879A)

The introduction to a fine series, most of which discusses the management of servants (and so will be found in the servants section). This article discusses how to set up one's household effectively.

Hints to Young Housekeepers, Part 2, by Mrs. S.W. Oakey (Scribner's, 1879A)

This section addresses the daily habits a housekeeper should cultivate, from getting up early to providing good hospitality.

The Home of the Future, by William Lacey (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1880)

Though this purports to be about the "home of the future," it's actually an interesting overview of how a Victorian household ought to be run, with tips on linens, supplies, housecleaning, and more.

My Housekeeping Class, by Mrs. M.C. Hungerford (Demorest, 1880)

Without a Servant (Girl's Own Paper, 1881)

How a family struggled to cope with a servant's brief absence!

The Girl's Own Room, by Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. ("Medicus") (Girl's Own Paper, 1882)

"Many a young girl sows the seeds of future illnesses, which eventually prove fatal, by sleeping for a time in a dusty room."

Higher Thoughts on Housekeeping, by Alice King (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

Order and Disorder, by Louisa Twining (Girl's Own Paper, 1885)

How to keep one's home fresh and clean.

Hints About Housekeeping, by Gordon Stables, M.D., R.N. ("Medicus") (Girl's Own Paper, 1889)

"I want you to find home-cooking a healthful employment, and if you worry yourself you will get nervous, and nervousness spoils both sleep and complexion, and digestion also."

Both Ends of a Bell Wire, by Florence Howe Hall (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

Humorous look at how a housewife learns to distinguish who is ringing her doorbell.

Everything About the House, by Maria Parloa (Ladies' Home Journal, 1892)

A monthly column on a variety of household topics, including entertaining, cleaning, etc.

How to Help in the House, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

"There seems to be a very general feeling abroad that, in the present difficulties with our servants, we shall find the best solution in the aid of our own daughters, who will assume the duties now performed by our maidservants, and execute them with the superiority born of education, and higher training, and loving goodwill."

In the Houseplace, by Lucy Yates (Girl's Own Paper, 1894)

The "houseplace" is the kitchen, the bright heart of the home. The first two installments of this article deal with general kitchen and cleaning topics, and also with enjoying the "houseplace"; the subsequent installments offer a variety of simple recipes.

Household Routine (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

A brief schedule for the day, plus a list of tasks for the days of the week (e.g., Monday night: "Rub up all the brass things and candle sticks").

A Lady in Her Inglenook (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

My Trials as a Housekeeper, by Elizabeth L. Banks (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1895)

Managing a friend's home, and "breaking in" a new staff of servants, turns out to be more difficult than the author imagined...

Spring-Clean, by Verax (Girl's Own Paper, 1895)

A writer expresses concern over this peculiar "occult form of worship" that takes place in English households every spring!

Cosy Homes for Wintry Weather (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Suggestions (and patterns) for creating draperies and screens to keep the house warm in winter.

How We Managed Without Servants, by Mrs. Frank Topham (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

Includes a number of recipes.

In Mine House, by Lina Orman Cooper (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

Every Man His Own Housekeeper, by James and Nanette Mason (Girl's Own Paper, 1900)

Or, "How a Bachelor Tried to Manage for Himself."

Home Management Month by Month (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

This series covers too many topics to begin to describe adequately -- everything from how to hang game to how to clean marble.

Household Hints: The Scullery, by Mary Skene (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

Tips on maintaining the scullery and keeping kitchen utensils and silverware clean.

The White House Class, by Lina Orman Cooper (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)

Instructions upon how to manage a home.

See also

• Cleaning Tips & Techniques

• The Trials of a Young Housekeeper

• Vocational Training - for articles on various cooking and housekeeping schools