Social History

What was the social history of the Victorian and Edwardian dining room? How was it used?

This room was the key 'male' room of the house in contrast with the drawing room.

As discussed in relation to the drawing room, this room would often have been at the front of the house.

Middle class families never ate in the kitchen, although in larger houses there was another room, sometimes called the 'back parlour', which was used for everyday activities and might also be used for family dining.