The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

70. 18th Century Fiber Production at George Washington's Mount Vernon with Sara Marie Massee


Listen Later

Today's guest is Sara Marie Massee, a lead interpreter at George Washington's Mount Vernon. She works with the historic trades department, teaching and actually doing many of the skills and trades that were being practiced around Washington's estate during his lifetime there.  She oversees Mount Vernon's cooking, baking, and textile living history demonstrations to illuminate daily life in the 18th century. 

Sara Marie has been in the field of living history for 16 years, 14 of them at George Washington's Mount Vernon. She spends her days talking to visitors about Washington's sustainable, innovative farming practices and demonstrating various trades that enslaved people and white, indentured workers would have done on the estate. Her favorite demonstrations are cooking and textile work (spinning, weaving, natural dyeing, and preparing wool, linen, and hemp fibers to be spun).

In today’s episode, Dr. Massee shares anecdotes and stories that give us a glimpse of the the textiles industry in the 18th century and the role it played in the economy of George Washington's estate. Tune in to learn more!

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser, Simplecast, Podtail, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Topics Covered:

  • The history of textile production at Mount Vernon. 
  • 18th-century clothing and linen
  • Working in the field of living history

  • Resources Mentioned:

    • Mount Vernon

    Guest Info

    Connect with Dr. Massee on Mount Vernon’s website

    Follow Us:

    • Our Website
    • Instagram



    • Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

      Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      The Good Dirt: Sustainability ExplainedBy Lady Farmer

      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6
      • 4.6

      4.6

      146 ratings


      More shows like The Good Dirt: Sustainability Explained

      View all
      Herbal Radio by Mountain Rose Herbs

      Herbal Radio

      267 Listeners

      Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World by Melissa K Norris

      Pioneering Today Podcast - Homesteading in a Modern World

      966 Listeners

      MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN by Margaret Roach

      MARGARET ROACH A WAY TO GARDEN

      681 Listeners

      Cultivating Place by Jennifer Jewell / Cultivating Place

      Cultivating Place

      348 Listeners

      The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy by Jill McSheehy

      The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

      801 Listeners

      The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers by Epic Gardening

      The Beet: A Podcast For Plant Lovers

      1,583 Listeners

      Let's Argue About Plants by Fine Gardening Magazine

      Let's Argue About Plants

      399 Listeners

      The Plant Path by with Sajah & Whitney Popham, founders of The School of Evolutionary Herbali

      The Plant Path

      491 Listeners

      The joe gardener Show - Organic Gardening - Vegetable Gardening - Expert Garden Advice From Joe Lamp'l by Podcast – joe gardener® | Organic Gardening Like a Pro

      The joe gardener Show - Organic Gardening - Vegetable Gardening - Expert Garden Advice From Joe Lamp'l

      1,845 Listeners

      Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care by Maria Failla- Happy Plant Lady and Author of Growing Joy: The Plant Lover's Guide to Cultivating Happiness

      Growing Joy with Plants - Wellness Rooted in Nature, Houseplants, Gardening and Plant Care

      876 Listeners

      Old Fashioned On Purpose by Jill Winger

      Old Fashioned On Purpose

      1,773 Listeners

      Backyard Gardens - Gardening for everyone by Backyard Gardens TV

      Backyard Gardens - Gardening for everyone

      192 Listeners

      Garden Basics with Farmer Fred by Fred Hoffman

      Garden Basics with Farmer Fred

      265 Listeners

      Gardening Simplified by Newsradio WOOD 1300 and 106.9 FM (WOOD-AM)

      Gardening Simplified

      123 Listeners

      The Nature Of with Willow Defebaugh by Atmos

      The Nature Of with Willow Defebaugh

      145 Listeners