Bertha’s Bookshelf: Upstairs Girls

Upstairs Girls by Michael Rutter pulls back the curtain on the hidden world of prostitution in the American West—where the most sought-after women lived and worked upstairs, away from the saloons and streets below. From lavish parlor houses and powerful madams to the harsh realities faced by working women, this fascinating nonfiction work explores how sex work shaped frontier towns, local economies, and social reform movements. You’ll discover surprising details about class divisions within brothels, the influence of the Moral Purity Movement, and the often-overlooked roles these women played in Western history. ALthough this book contains some really important information it is a great example of why research matters. When authors only do superficial research they perpetuate myths and legends. It is our goal at Miss Laura’s to put these to rest.

📅 Join us February 7 at 10 AM for an engaging discussion that brings these stories to life.

Can’t join us in person? No problem! Fill out the Contact Us form on our website-misslaurasmuseum.com, and we’ll send you the link to join the online event.