The Real Life of a PLANTATION OWNER'S WIFE by Dr Ann Dupont

The author of over 150 scholarly papers, abstracts, and books, Dr. DuPont has been an active lecturer at a wide variety of scholarly and secular meetings. In addition to her museum responsibilities Dr. DuPont collected, preserved, researched and exhibits a private collection of antique and vintage bridal gowns. . This collection has been presented at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, The Biltmore Estate, and The Greenbrier Resort. For over thirty years Dr, DuPont was a frequent guest lecturer on the Delta Queen, Mississippi Queen, and American Queen as well as other cruise lines and on the American Orient Express.

As one dedicated to local community service , in San Marcos Texas Dr. DuPont was Past President of The Heritage Association, The Performing Arts Association, the Sights and Sounds of Christmas, and
The Sesquicentennial Museum. She served on the board of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Friends of the Fine Arts, Hays County Historical Commission, Price Center. And the Krewe of Okeanos.
Dr, DuPont is an elder in the First Presbyterian Church. She was recognized in Outstanding Young Women in American and Outstanding Educators in America. She was awarded the National Presidential Citation for contributions to Preservation by The Daughters of the American Revolution , Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher (University of Texas at Austin), and Community Service Award (Texas State University). Dr. DuPont received the Diamond Pin Award from Delta Gamma fraternity and was the 2022 Queen of the Krewe of Okeanos,

[bonnabrimhall]

Extremely interesting and well prepared presentation. I absolutely love learning history that has not been “watered down”. As a teenage in high school I never found history interesting, but as I grew older and discovered “real” history, I have fallen in love with it. This presentation is the “real” history that I find fascinating. Thank you for posting this!!

[pamjohnson]

I was born and raised in Wisconsin, am 70 yrs old with medieval history my background, but I have so loved your really intriguing, highly informative and organized lecture. You are an excellent lecturer!!!! I've read whatever southern diaries I can get my hands on. I find them fascinating! Thank you so much for this!

[SpanishEclectic]

An excellent overview of a complex history. I can't imagine how many more fascinating stories she has after the extensive studies you note above. What really stood out to me was the age of many of these young brides fresh from finishing school; they likely learned much about managing a household from their own mothers, aunts, and grandmothers as well. Source documents are so valuable in understanding the realities of the past, and diaries and letters provide even more insight. I recall that Ken Burns included quotations from Mary Chestnut in his Civil War TV series. While she did not keep a diary, my paternal grandmother (1894-1992) saved letters and attached notes to the ephemera and photos she left behind, giving me a wonderful picture of the life of her immigrant family in late 19th/early 20th Century Wisconsin, and her own history as a teacher in rural prairie schools, and later as a mail clerk for the DOD in Washington, D.C., during the Depression. One note I love was about the old soldiers sharing tales around the campfire at the Civil War Veterans convention she attended with her uncle in 1920; he had been recruited when he arrived in NYC from Denmark in 1861, just as Dr. DuPont explained. I also have my great-grandmother's 1883 cookbook (household management book), which also includes 'receipts' for making cleaning products, medicinal concoctions, and beauty treatments.

[southernbellekari]

What a FANTASTIC educational talk !!! I would have loved to have been there. THIS is what we need, this is REAL history. I have an obsession with reading war time diaries by the women that lived them. The diary of Emma Balfour from Vicksburg is my favorite. The bluntness sometimes will shock you, but the lack of sugar coating is what is needed to understand that place in time instead of commercialized tunnel vision. I really hope we get to hear more from Dr. Dupont! ❤❤❤

[cath]

Very interesting talk. Thank you from Ireland 🇮🇪. The first slaves in the southern states in America were Irish. The English subjustated the Irish when they were defeated by Cromwell. He transported men, women and children to America. We have never forgotten English cruelty.

[orca_]

👏Superb presentation.

Never underestimate the strength of a woman🌻

[deborahwilkerson]

So glad that they kept diaries and journals. There are so many misconceptions about history and it’s wonderful that we have historical records for this difficult time in history to study and understand what really happened.

[lesleesanmiguel]

The fact that their clothes were itchy and scratchy on top of everything else they were forced to endure is just even more heartbreaking 😢 they couldn't catch a break 💔

[theresamultistan]

We are never too old to learn and today I learned so much. Thank you.

[corabrantley]

women married to farmers were managers. They averaged 7 children, many birthing 13. They managed many workers. When food was harvested they oversaw a food processing operation that preserved hundreds of jars if vegetables. Before cotton was picked a sewing factory was set up on the verandas with several treadle sewing machines finishing stacks of sacks of heavy twill. In the fall they processed huge black pots of hog meat rendering fat, some that would be used to make soap for the year.
There was always chores in addition of the big events. Cows were milked twice a day, three meals a day prepared, chickens fed. Churning done, laundry washed and ironed. Women worked and managed.

[KentuckyGirl]

More of these wonderful lectures, please.🥰

[lalalinda]

Thank you so much for such an interesting and well presented talk. I'd love to hear more about southern women in the civil war.

[stillwatersfarm]

Goodness, my youngest is 10, my oldest son 18, and my husband 48. The chill that came over me when she said the conscription age was lower to 9 years old - the thought of being left with just a single daughter after raising my family for 20 years. 💔

[paulathepoodlelover]

Excellent presentation on the myth of the Southern Belle. Thank you!

[aww_its_laura]

I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation from Dr. Dupont! Her background is impressive!

[abigailmackenziecarp]

May we keep up the spirit and dedication of those wonderful ladies ❤

[kathyjoanderson]

Wow! As a child of Great Grandparents (and further back) who were plantation owners, who went from that to share-croppers in the same generation, this is so real and poignant.

[marymathis]

With the duties the "Woman of the House" was to preform, after weaving, killing and dressing animals, giving birth, tending sick in clinic, who would have the energy or even care what was hung on a window...that woman wanted to rest and probably fell asleep immediately after her head hit a pillow!!! Who would have had time to "talk"???? But, good job!!! You have done an amazing job in your research!!! Thanks so much!!! ❤❤❤

[marycahill]

So interesting! I knew plantation wives took care of the sick, but I had no idea they worked so hard. I did think they entertained a lot more than they did.

[andreamarin]

Excellent presentation. Thoroughly enjoyed it!