The Barefoot Historian & Co.

08/17/2026

07/19/2026

Hand sewing brings me such peace.

06/30/2026

More pics of the Mr and I ❤️ from the Historic Carlisle, Inc. event last night. Don’t forget to save the date for our Colonial 250th Celebration at Two Mile House on August 15th!!!

06/22/2026

I wanted to invite you all to come along with me and the board of Historic Carlisle at 7pm on the 29th! As we have for years, HCI is opening the week long events for Summerfaire in Carlisle!! So if you’ve been missing The Barefoot Historian come along with me for an evening stroll! This event is FREE.

04/21/2026

The breeze blew in and I’m captivated by the beauty around me. I love my home. And I’m sure that I’m not the first woman to stand here—on this 180 year old front stoop—and simply take in the glory in the beauty of the world around me. It’s raining pink flowers outside our home today and I feel so blessed.

04/05/2026

Working on hand sewing this gown for the 250th celebrations. I’m very excited to be able to wear it to various events this year, including 4th of July at Mount Vernon! I’m happy to be back to my colonial roots for a while! Does anyone else have plans for events this year?

04/16/2025

I bought the most beautiful little mid 19th century pillbox/vinaigrette for my Godey’s reproduction Ladies Ribbon Chatelaine. Contrary to the name, a Victorian vinaigrette was actually designed to smell quite nice! A small bit of fabric or wool would have been soaked in perfume, placed in the vinaigrette, and then worn either on broach, a chatelaine, or on a necklace. It’s a common misconception that Victorians smelled awful because “they didn’t bathe”. Victorians might not have taken a plunge bath daily but they certainly did use a wash basin for regular washing of “sticky bits” and wore pieces of fragranced jewelry like this pretty little vinaigrette. As a lifelong academic, I LOVE that it’s shaped like a book! 😍.