Women of the Lawrence Household: New at Museum

Lawrence House Museum in Maitland is offering visitors a new opportunity: to see and hear what daily life was like for a sea captain's wife or for a female household servant in Nova Scotia in the late 1800s.

On Sunday, Sept. 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. visitors can talk to some of the women of the Lawrence household, portrayed by local actors in costume, and hear their fascinating stories. A tour of the house is also part of this special new program. Visitors can see the maid's quarters and hear about her duties and her social life and meet Mrs. Lawrence, wife of entrepreneur and shipbuilder William D. Lawrence, her daughter Mary Jane Ellis, who was also the wife of a sea captain, and Mary Jane's six-year-old daughter Minnie, who was born at sea. Other characters on hand will include Mrs. Putnam, a Maitland neighbour whose husband was a shipbuilding rival of Mr. Lawrence.

"This program will highlight the important but often forgotten, fascinating lives of women during the golden age of sail," said Jennifer Barton, site manager of the museum. She said this program will complement the stories already told at the museum: stories of the life of shipbuilder and entrepreneur William D. Lawrence; of the building and history of his namesake ship; tales of shipbuilding in Maitland and area; and glimpses into the shipping trade around the world during the age of sail.

Following the tour, guest singer/songwriter Rosalee Peppard will perform. Ms. Peppard's original songs look at historical topics through the eyes, lives, and stories of Canadian women.

Guided tours by costumed interpreters take place every half hour between 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Admission is charged.

Lawrence House Museum, part of the Nova Scotia Museum, is located at 8660 Hwy 215 in Maitland. Members of the public can call 902- 261-2628 for more information.