News Release
Sutter’s Fort Recognizes Women’s History Month
With
Historian Cheryl Stapp as Special Guest During
“Hands on History” Event on March 16
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In honor of “Women’s History Month,” Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
(SHP) is proud to present a special “Hands on History: Hard Working Women of the Frontier”
event on Saturday, March 16, that includes a visit by historian and respected author Cheryl
Stapp. Author of Disaster & Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush Through the Civil War and
Sacramento Chronicles: A Golden Past, Stapp will be at the Fort to give three presentations -- at
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. -- about the multi-faceted roles of frontier women in
California. Immediately following each presentation, she will be available to answer questions
and sign copies of her books (available for purchase in the Fort Trade Store). Open daily, Sutter’s
Fort SHP is committed to providing activities that are engaging, interactive and interpret
California’s fascinating history.
In her presentations, Stapp will share findings of her extensive research and will explore the lives
of 19th century women through the experiences of specific individuals including: Eliza Gregson
who came to California with her husband in 1846 (they had to cut their wagon in half to make a
cart because they only had two oxen); Elitha Donner who survived the winter entrapment in the
mountains; and Jennie Wimmer who was present when gold was discovered. Stapp will also
explore the exhausting daily lives of 19th century women as they managed many roles including
that of nurse, caregiver, caretaker, companion and housekeeper.
In addition to the special guest presentations, many interactive Fort activities will be available that
demonstrate how pioneer women were vital economic partners in families, many of whom set up
their own businesses selling eggs, milk, or baked goods to neighbors and travelers. Other special
activities await Fort guests, too, including crowd-favorite black powder and musket
demonstrations, dutch-oven cooking demonstrations, and an interactive wagon trail camp for
visitors to experience what it was like to camp as part of a wagon train. On this special day, Fort
guests will also learn to carry water buckets, use a yoke, make rope, decide what supplies are
necessary for the trip, help load the wagon and climb inside an authentic covered wagon to feel
what it was like to journey across country.
More information about this “Hands on History: Hard Working Women of the Frontier” event
and/or other upcoming activities at Sutter’s Fort SHP is available at 916-4454422 orwww.suttersfort.org
***
Calendar Announcement
What:
Hands on History: Hard Working Women of the Frontier
Where:
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, 2701 L Street, Midtown, Sacramento
When:
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Time:
Fort hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (open daily)
Cannon firing demonstrations: 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.
Stapp presentations: 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m.
Musket demonstrations periodically throughout the day
Cost:
$7.00 per adult (18 and older), $5.00 per youth (ages 6-17), free for children 5 years and under
For More:
Call 916-445-4422 or visit www.suttersfort.org
Suggested copy:
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park (SHP) is proud to present a special “Hands on History: Hard
Working Women of the Frontier” event on Saturday, March 16. As an event highlight and in
honor of “Women’s History Month,” Fort visitors will have the opportunity to hear from special
guest Cheryl Stapp, historian and author of Disaster & Triumph: Sacramento Women, Gold Rush
Through the Civil War and Sacramento Chronicles: A Golden Past. Cheryl will be on-site to give
presentations and answer questions about frontier women in California and their role in family
and community (she will also be available to sign copies of her books, available for purchase in
the Fort Trade Store). At this special event, Fort visitors will realize that emigrant women were
not well-to-do Victorian ladies with pretty clothes who lived a life of leisure. In contrast, simply
getting enough hot water to wash their faces in the morning was an effort, and pioneer women
were vital economic partners in families, many of whom set up their own businesses selling eggs,
milk, or baked goods to neighbors and travelers. Many other special activities await Fort guests,
too, including crowd-favorite black powder and musket demonstrations, dutch-oven cooking
demonstrations, and an interactive wagon trail camp for visitors to experience what it was like to
camp as part of a wagon train. Fort guests will also learn to carry water buckets, use a yoke,
make rope, decide what supplies are necessary for the trip, help load the wagon and climb inside
an authentic covered wagon to feel what it was like to journey across country. Sutter’s Fort SHP
is open daily and more information is available at 916-445-4422 or www.suttersfort.org
About Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is operated by California State Parks with financial assistance
from the nonprofit Friends of Sutter’s Fort. Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park is open daily from 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Located in midtown Sacramento on L Street between 26th and 28th Streets, the
Fort offers monthly “Hands on History” activities and special events throughout the year.
Established in 1839 by Swiss immigrant John Augustus Sutter, Sutter’s Fort was at the center of
a flourishing agricultural empire named New Helvetia (New Switzerland.) This empire established
Sacramento’s earliest settlement and the first European settlement in California’s Central Valley.
For more information, call (916) 445-4422 or visitwww.suttersfort.org
Traci Rockefeller Cusack
T-Rock Communications
916-213-4373