The Footwork & Frolick Society is a 501(c)(3) public charity located in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our mission is to promote historical education through the research, recreation, performance, and instruction of eighteenth and nineteenth century dance and other active pursuits rooted in the social traditions of the American Northeast. 

We believe that everyone benefits from learning about the past in a hands-on format and we can leverage the way historical people built community to continue to connect with each other in the 21st century. Everyone should be welcome in modern historical spaces regardless of race, religion, gender identity or presentation. Our work is intended to make learning about dancing and movement in the past engaging and fun - not to mythologize the “old days”. F&F classes and events are open to all and we do not tolerate bigotry in our spaces.

attendees at a bridgerton croquet event with historic new england play croquet on a historic house lawn in costume
People dressed in historical costumes dancing at a themed event in a large hall with a wooden floor, decorated with flowers. A woman on a stage dressed in a vintage gown stands near a speaker, holding a microphone.
event attendees in late victorian costume play tabletop croquet at a gilded age weekend in new hampshire
A group of people dancing and socializing in a decorated indoor banquet hall with wood flooring, red curtains, and floral decorations.
members of footwork & frolick lead victorian parlor games with members of the public visiting boutwell house

A labor of love and community

Footwork & Frolick is an entirely volunteer-run organization. Our members bring their expertise from a diverse range of careers from science and engineering to education and the arts. We are united by a love for history and bringing magical moments to life for our community.

We believe that trying historical activities - especially with a little context (e.g. wearing the clothes, eating the food) - facilitates more meaningful engagement with the past and its impact. Since we also believe that everyone belongs in historical spaces, costumes are never required and we encourage new attendees!

Welcome to all

Education through action

Our mission is driven by a commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming historical community in New England. The past included a much more diverse population than many records acknowledge and seeing people of all demographics and identities come together in a ballroom or on a croquet lawn feels like the right way to explore the past in our current moment.

members pose in the library of the mountain school while on campus to run new england 19th century dances for students in an educational outreach event
members of footwork and frolick review stage blocking with the director and stage manager of a local production of Pride and Prejudice
the victorian afternoon tea team smiles at the camera from the historic house kitchen where they are preparing teas and baked goods
a member of footwork and frolick teaches beginner historical dances to a room of bridgerton ball workshop attendees
students laugh while completing an 1830s country dance at the mountain school library

Interested in working with us?

Partnerships help our organization reach more people and bring historical activities to life.

Reach out to start a conversation about how we can work together, and click here to learn more about common ways we work with other organizations.

Contact Us
Contact Us

Research & Educational Outreach

A researcher in a plaid dress and glasses holds notecards and gestures, presenting

  • F&F members undertake historical research on the sociocultural context of the activities we recreate, leveraging the rich archival resources available in local collections. When possible we share this work with the wider community through presentations, workshops, and publications.

  • Our unique area of work is a natural fit for other historical non-profits looking to bring their spaces to life. Partnerships with museums and historical societies are a core component of our annual programming.

  • With varied experience teaching students of all ages, F&F is proud to share our passion for history with classrooms across New England through activities connected to wider curriculum.