Join local historian Deborah Peterson for a free lecture on what Philadelphia-area women did outside their homes in the 18th century.

Not all women stayed at home as housewives. By using tax records, newspapers, diaries, ledgers and journals, we can tell that a surprising number of women were recorded as being independent tradespeople.

This lecture will be held on Sunday, June 9 at 2 PM in the Washington Crossing Historic Park Visitor Center.

Registration opens May 1. Please call the park Visitor Center at (215) 493-4076 to register.

For nearly 40 years, Peterson has immersed herself in research into the material culture, economics and social aspects of people of the 18th century, with a focus on those of English descent in southeastern New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Her main research has been on the food and clothing of the common sort, as well as cooking equipment and domestic arts. She is a founding member of the Past Masters in Early American Domestic Arts.