Join VCHM Director Margaret Holmes for a talk about the lives of women in New York from the 1600s to the 1800s. Using the museum’s collection and historic spaces, we’ll look at how women shaped both daily life and the larger social world around them.
This talk dives into the roles women played in their families, workplaces, and communities, along with the challenges they faced under legal and social restrictions. We’ll share stories of women from different backgrounds who lived, worked, or had ties to the historic house. By exploring household items and personal belongings, we’ll get a glimpse into their everyday lives, struggles, and successes. We’ll also discuss how race, class, and gender shaped their opportunities in a city that was constantly changing.