Local senior community brings 1900s elegance back with fan craft workshop

Some history lessons come from textbooks. Others come with glue, fabric, and a whole lot of creativity.

Madison at The Range residents stepped into the 1900s last month as part of the community’s ongoing Decades theme, crafting fancy fans inspired by the graceful style that defined the turn of the century. The activity gave residents a hands-on way to explore an era known for its elegance while creating keepsakes that captured the period’s refined aesthetic.

The fan-making workshop let participants design their own pieces, drawing inspiration from the elaborate accessories that once adorned parlors and ballrooms across the country. Each resident put their own spin on the classic style, turning the afternoon into both a creative outlet and a walk through history.

“Our Decades theme gives residents a chance to connect with different eras in ways that go beyond just talking about the past,” said Kristen Bryant, Executive Director at Madison at The Range. “Watching them design these fans and share memories of their own connections to history—that’s what makes activities like this so rewarding. They’re not just crafting—they’re storytelling, and every fan they create becomes part of that story.”

As the Madison at The Range continues its journey through the decades, residents are already looking ahead to what era comes next.

Madison at the Range is located at 10801 County Line Road in Madison. For more information about Madison at the Range, go to www.madisonattherange.com. See page 9 for ad.