The Sporting Life: Archaeology of a nineteenth-century North End brothel
Learn about life in a 19th century Boston brothel whilst enjoying the lounge in the renovated Charles Street Jail.
With so much attention in Boston's history focused on Puritans and revolutionaries, it's easy to forget that the City has also had a fraught relationship with sex work almost since its founding. What do we actually know, however, about the daily lives of nineteenth-century Boston sex workers? Boston University historical archaeologist Jade Luiz will discuss how the artifacts recovered from a North End brothel privy shed light on what life inside a nineteenth-century brothel might have been like for the women working there, the madam running it, and the male customers visiting.
The Alibi Bar & Lounge, 215 Charles Street, site of the “Drunk Tank” at the Charles Street Jail is the venue for this unique presentation. This is a free event, but purchase of food and beverage is expected. Seating is limited and reservation is required.