Local Senior Community Crafts Elegant 1900s-Style Fans

Madison at The Range residents connect with history through hands-on fan-making workshop.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 10:04pm

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A bold, colorful silkscreen illustration featuring a repeating pattern of a single, iconic vintage fan design in a grid, capturing the playful and artistic spirit of the fan-making workshop at Madison at The Range.The vibrant, vintage-inspired fan craft workshop at Madison at The Range senior community celebrates the refined elegance of the early 1900s through a hands-on creative activity.Madison Today

Residents at Madison at The Range senior living community recently participated in a fan-making workshop that allowed them to explore the elegant style of the early 1900s. The activity was part of the community's ongoing 'Decades' theme, giving participants a creative outlet to design their own unique fans inspired by the refined aesthetic of the era.

Why it matters

The fan-making workshop provided Madison at The Range residents with an engaging, hands-on way to connect with and learn about a historical period, going beyond just reading about the past. By crafting their own decorative fans, the residents were able to tap into their creativity while also sharing personal memories and stories related to the 1900s.

The details

During the workshop, each resident designed their own fan, drawing inspiration from the elaborate accessories that were popular in parlors and ballrooms across the country during the turn of the century. The activity allowed participants to put their own spin on the classic 1900s fan style, resulting in a collection of unique keepsakes that captured the refined aesthetic of the era.

  • The fan-making workshop took place last month as part of Madison at The Range's ongoing 'Decades' theme.

The players

Kristen Bryant

Executive Director at Madison at The Range.

Madison at The Range

A senior living community located in Madison, Wisconsin that offers residents opportunities to connect with different historical eras through themed activities and workshops.

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What they’re saying

“Our Decades theme gives residents a chance to connect with different eras in ways that go beyond just talking about the past. 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.”

— Kristen Bryant, Executive Director

What’s next

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

The takeaway

The fan-making workshop at Madison at The Range demonstrates how senior living communities can provide engaging, hands-on activities that allow residents to creatively explore and connect with different periods of history, fostering a sense of community and personal fulfillment.