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June 11 and 12th Fort Boonesborough hosted
 ``Women on the Frontier"

Click Here for the Photo Page of Women on the Frontier

Women on the Frontier - Fort Boonesborough, KY

By Jim Cummings

Fort Boonesborough held it's first ``Women on the Frontier" weekend. The event was a special dedicated program to highlight what women went through  during the struggle of settling this land. The survival and hardships of these women has never been as accurately documented as the struggles of the men.

This weekend had ongoing demonstrations of what a women's days consisted of . The struggle for daily life was given added pressure by the constant threat of Indian raids.

``Women on the Frontier" is a great idea that has come of age. It wasn't always Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton on the frontier although we read a lot less about the women that were here in Kentucky.

The women were often left on their own and they had to do it all. They had to know how to hunt, cook, sew, make soap and candles and laundry all under the most adverse conditions. In addition to knowing how to hunt and feed her family a woman on the frontier had to bear children and frontier families relied on their children for labor - so often times women bore many, many children. In addition she had to bear the wrath of her husband who was often frustrated by the events of the times.

The event ``Women on the Frontier" will keep growing as more and more women find their place in re-enacting. Bill Farmer, Living History Coordinator at Fort Boonesborough saw the need to put more emphasis on the pioneer woman in Kentucky. And with more programs like this one the public will be made more aware of a woman's role on the frontier.

Special Guests & Speakers

Documented History of Women on the Frontier by Kathy Milton - Living History Researcher and Interpreter

``Women's Roles in Native American Societies" - Jessica Robin Diemer - Director of Education Piankeshaw Trails Educational Park, Solsberry, IN

Betsy Packard - ``Mythed Stitches" - What were 18th century quilts really like and also ``The Life of a Backwoods Woman"

Betsy belongs to The Painted Stone Settlers,  Inc. and Benjamin Logan's Co. , The BAR and the NWTA

 

 ``A Widow who Survived the Long Run Massacre `` - A first person account by Kathy Cummings - editor of The Pioneer Times/Graphic Enterprises Web Site and News Magazine on CD and member of The Painted Stone Settlers, Inc.

Ongoing Presentations

Krista Graves  - Woman's Clothing- The Cincinnati History Museum

Hester, the Beggar Woman- an accurate portrayal of hardships in early Kentucky

Cindy Northup - Welcoming Visitors & Representing the Boonesborough Militia
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