The Laundress's Life at Fort Michilimackinac by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Laundress Reenactor at Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City, Michigan

This summer I had the privilege of promoting my new release My Heart Belongs on Mackinac Island: Maude's Mooring up North, staying in Mackinaw City for a month! And we rented a cottage only a half mile from Colonial Michilimackinac, one of the Michigan State Historical Parks in the area.  So a beautiful walk along the Lake Huron shoreline away, we were able to enjoy programming at the fort! 

One of the wonderful presentations was about the role of the laundress at colonial forts. I was surprised to hear that the wife of a soldier could earn well more than her husband, by taking in laundry! I've read so many things about camp followers fulfilling these roles but I'd not thought about the many enlisted men's wives who might do so.  

The married enlisted men lived in homes inside the fort such as this one depicted below. So if the soldier's wife was a laundress, he'd enjoy a much more comfortable home because her funds could help purchase more goods.

Once previously we had a post about laundry day, by Lori Benton, (Click here to read).

One of the challenges a colonial-era laundress faced in the forts was in getting out stains in white shirts. A lot of scrubbing happened, and the sun helped, but if you want to know more about how laundresses worked their magic, we suggest you plan a trip to beautiful Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City!

Check out the huge pots of hot water and the way the garments are "hung" up. The depiction shown is during the time of British occupation of Fort Michilimackinac. The fort was originally made by the French, later was taken over by the British, was moved to Mackinac Island, and eventually the Americans took possession (before the Brits grabbed it again for a while!)

Have you heard? NINE of our Colonial Quills authors are part of the Backcountry Brides collection, from Barbour Publishing, which releases this spring in May! My novella, "Shenandoah Hearts" is set right before the onset of the French-Indian War and includes some forted drama. You can pre-order at Christian Book Distributors.

I will be one of the guests at the Virginia ACFW Facebook party on Friday, September 1st, with the 5:00 PM spot. Come by and visit with us for a chance to win a giveaway (click here). And my colonial-era novel Saving the Marquise's Granddaughter is part of this Celebrate Lit giveaway (click here.)

Giveaway:  Choice of RT Book Reviews' Top Pick Carrie's Mackinac Island-set novel or any of her books, including this upcoming release. Answer this question to enter the giveaway: Can you imagine living inside a colonial-era fort?