Talk: ‘Twas on a Monday morning’ – Laundry Work in Cambridge

Local historian Tamsin Wimhurst uncovers the fascinating and often hidden history of the laundresses of Cambridge.

Why a talk about laundry and washing?  In 19^th century Cambridge there were more women involved in the industry than in any other work. It was a job that they could turn to even during the toughest of times and one that if you could pay someone else to do it for you, you would. As the century progressed steam laundries began to compete with the washerwomen but eventually even these were gazumped as laundry was brought back into the home and the ‘automatic’ took pride of place in the kitchen. Tamsin Wimhurst will take us through all these changes and hopefully bring back memories that many of us might have of washday.

Tamsin Wimhurst is a Trustee and founder of the David Parr House Charity which was set up in 2014 in order to conserve it and open up the house to the public.  Her first job was as a teacher where she spent many an hour taking her classes to museums and art galleries, during which time her passion for history and collections grew.  This experience persuaded her to pursue a career in museum education, curation and project management.  She has worked with a wide variety of communities and organisations in order to help them access their history and encourage an interest in their past.  Personally, she has researched into a wide variety of themes including Laundry work, River swimming, Women workers and Celebrations.  She is a passionate supporter of small independent museums, with a special interest in the ‘local’ where she sees the nation’s history unfold through the lives of individuals and their families.

This event takes place on Zoom. You can sign up to our mailing list to receive the joining details, or watch live on our Facebook page at https://facebook.com/millroadhistory