Why didn’t Victorians smile?

Looking at the Victorian photographs in the collection of The Amelia, the team started to think… why does everyone look so serious? Join the team as they take a lighthearted look at Victorian photography and explore the question ‘Why didn’t the Victorians smile?’

Download the FREE accompanying colouring in sheets:

Supported by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, Kent County Council, National Lottery Heritage Fund & Arts Council England.

Let's Draw the Natural World - Activity Sheet

Follow a series of drawing challenges to discover new approaches to drawing the natural world.

Squeakin's Guide to Toys

Join Squeakin the teddy bear, your personal guide to toy treasures in the collection of The Amelia. Discover fascinating toys from the past and downlo...

Looking at Art - Portraiture

Discover some fascinating stories as The Amelia team investigate a group portrait. Uncover the secrets of the painting and get involved in the family ...

Discovery Days 2020 - Question and answer session with The Amelia team

Inspired by the 2020 Discovery Days videos, local residents from the borough of Tunbridge Wells sent in their Victorian related questions. Watch the v...

Explained - Weird and wonderful Victorian objects

Did you correctly identify the selection of weird and wonderful Victorian objects from the collection of The Amelia? In this video The Amelia team wil...

Quiz - Weird and wonderful Victorian objects

Can you correctly identify a selection of weird and wonderful Victorian objects? In this video The Amelia team will show you a variety of Victorian ob...

Make your own Romary’s inspired biscuits

Join the team from The Amelia to discover how to make your own Romary’s inspired biscuits. Founded in 1862, Romary’s produced world-famous biscuit...

Tunbridge Wells biscuits fit for royalty

For many years, Romary’s produced world-famous biscuits from their shop in Tunbridge Wells. Join the team from The Amelia to discover the story of R...

Victorian stink tubes

What’s a stink tube, and what other traces did the Victorians leave behind throughout our towns? Join The Amelia team as they introduce the Victoria...

Make your own Victorian Photographs

The team at The Amelia give you fun ideas to help you stage your own Victorian inspired photographs!