Dyeing Cloth in Pioneer Days, Mahaska County, Iowa

Dyeing Cloth in Pioneer Days, Mahaska County, Iowa

During pioneer days in the Midwest, women held very important responsibilities to see to it that her spouse and children were cared for. The phrase, a woman's work is never done, certainly holds true, especially during this time period. In this picture, a woman is using the heat from a campfire to dye clothing. The water in the pot would boil, and then a special dye would be added depending on what color she wanted the clothing to be. After soaking the cloth in the boiling water and dye, the clothing would turn colors, producing a new outfit.

Mahaska County Historical Society

Nelson Pioneer Farm Museum/Mahaska County Historical Society

Mahaska County Historical Society

unknown

2008-08-03

www.nelsonpioneer.org

still image/jpeg

image

Mahaska County Historical Society

http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,36