Miss Laura's Brothel Museum

Bertha's Bookshelf: Madam Millie | Bordellos from Silver City to Ketchikan
2025-11-29 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | AR
✨ As we turn the final pages of Madam Millie: Bordellos from Silver City to Ketchikan, we’re left in awe of Millie’s extraordinary journey—from orphan to one of the most successful madams in the American West. Her story of survival, wit, and unapologetic ambition kept us hooked through every chapter.
But Book Club isn’t slowing down… 👀Our December pick is full of scandal, secrets, and a dash of spice—the perfect way to end the year. 📚🔥
Join us on Saturday, November 29th at 10 AM for a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Bertha's Bookshelf: Madam Millie | Bordellos from Silver City to Ketchikan
2025-11-15 10:00 - 11:00 | AR
💋✨ Madam Millie: Bordellos from Silver City to Ketchikan by Max Evans tells the remarkable true story of Mildred “Millie” Clark Cusey—an orphan who rose to become one of the most successful madams in the American West. From the mid-1920s through the 1970s, Millie built an empire of bordellos in New Mexico and beyond, defying the odds with resilience, sharp business savvy, and an unshakable will to thrive in a world that tried to limit her.
📖 Join us as we continue our journey with this captivating biography, Saturday, November 15th at 10 AM—because one discussion isn’t nearly enough for Millie’s unforgettable story!
Unable to join us in person? No problem. Scoot on over to the Contact us page and submit the form. We will get you added to the virtual link.

Bertha's Bookshelf: Madam Millie | Bordellos from Silver City to Ketchikan
2025-11-01 10:00 - 11:00 | AR
🍸✨ Madam Millie: Bordellos from Silver City to Ketchikan by Max Evans traces the unforgettable life of Millie, a larger-than-life madam who ran successful houses of prostitution across the American West. From New Mexico to Alaska, her story is one of grit, scandal, survival, and surprising business savvy—offering a rare glimpse into a hidden side of history.
📖 Join us for Book Club on Saturday, November 1 at 10 AM as we dive into Millie’s fascinating world!
If you’re unable to join us in person, no problem. Go over to the Contact us page, fill out and submit the form and we will get you added to the virtual link.

Radium Girls Paint & Sip
2025-10-31 18:00 - 20:30, 2025-10-30 18:00 - 20:30 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
Get ready for a glowing good time at our 2nd Annual Radium Girl Paint & Sip!
In proud partnership with the Fort Smith Regional Art Museum and Barker Realty, we’re bringing you an unforgettable night of history, creativity, and fun! Kick off the evening with a captivating presentation about the courageous Radium Girls, followed by tasty snacks, refreshing sips, and a chance to unleash your inner artist.
🎨✨ You’ll leave with your very own one-of-a-kind masterpiece—and a story to tell.
Join us on October 30th or 31st for a spooky-chic night of painting, sipping, and celebrating the legacy of these incredible women.
Spots are extremely limited—only 12 seats per night! 🎟 Tickets must be purchased in person at our gift shop. Must be 21 to attend. Be sure to bring proof of purchase to gain entry.
Tickets will go on sale in September. Snag your seat before they vanish! 💀💚

Bertha's Bookshelf: What's a Poor Girl to Do? Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America
2025-10-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
💃📚 What’s a Poor Girl to Do? Prostitution in Mid-Nineteenth Century America takes readers into the hidden world of working women who defied society’s strictest rules. This eye-opening book reveals how poverty, survival, and limited choices led many women into sex work—and how they navigated stigma, morality, and independence in a rapidly changing America.
👉 A powerful read for those interested in women’s history, social justice, and the untold stories of America’s past.
📖 Join our Book Club on Saturday, October 18th at 10 AM for a thoughtful discussion you won’t forget!

Fall Festival 2025
2025-10-04 10:00 - 16:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
🍂✨ Step Back in Time This Fall Festival! ✨🍂
Make Miss Laura’s a must-see stop on your festival route! On Saturday, October 4, from 10 AM–4 PM, enjoy FREE admission to Fort Smith’s most unforgettable historic home.
👒 Our staff will be dressed in authentic 1930s attire🎥 Catch our brand-new short film shown every half hour🏛️ Explore all 6 upstairs bedrooms🛍️ Shop treasures in our one-of-a-kind gift shop💐 Always a gift for the ladies!
Come step into history, meet our guides, and experience Miss Laura’s like never before. We can’t wait to welcome you! 🌟

Bertha's Bookshelf: Uneasy Virtue
2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
📚✨ Uneasy Virtue pulls back the curtain on America’s moral reform movements of the 19th and early 20th centuries. From the rise of “vice crusaders” to the battles fought in courtrooms, newspapers, and red-light districts, this book explores the clash between respectability, sexuality, and the women who lived at the center of it all. It’s a fascinating dive into how society tried—and often failed—to control desire.
👉 Perfect for history buffs, feminists, and anyone intrigued by the hidden stories behind America’s fight over “morality.”
📖 Join us for a lively discussion at our Book Club on Saturday, September 20th at 10 AM—we can’t wait to hear your thoughts!

1st Saturday Scavenger Hunt
2025-09-06 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-02 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-06-07 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-03 10:00 - 15:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
Ready for an adventure?Join us at Miss Laura’s on the 1st Saturday of every month for a thrilling Scavenger Hunt!Explore, search, and uncover hidden treasures between 10 AM and 3 PM — if you find all the items, you’ll win a prize!
Need a little help? No worries — each participant gets one hint from our staff to keep you on track.
Think you’ve got what it takes? Come find out!

Bertha's Bookshelf - Uneasy Virtue
2025-09-06 10:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
📖 Coming This September for Bertha’s Bookshelf… Brace Yourself for a Bold, Eye-Opening Read!
We’re stepping back to take a deep dive into the politics, power struggles, and uncomfortable truths behind prostitution in America with:Uneasy Virtue: The Politics of Prostitution and the American Reform Tradition by Barbara Meil Hobson
This isn’t just history—it’s a fearless exploration of over 150 years of contested reform, shifting moral standards, and societal control. Hobson takes us on a gripping journey through the complex tug-of-war between public virtue and private vice—highlighting one of the most elusive and controversial laws in U.S. history: The Chamberlain-Kahn Act.
📚 This groundbreaking book is tough to put down, and we can’t wait to peel back its pages with you. Get ready for thought-provoking discussion, rich historical context, and a new understanding of how deeply these issues still echo today.
Join us for an unforgettable September read—where reform meets resistance, and virtue is anything but simple.

Bertha's Bookshelf - Hell's Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District
2025-08-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
🔥 This Week at Bertha’s Bookshelf: Step Into the Wild Side of Texas! 🔥We’re wrapping up our unforgettable summer read:Hell’s Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District by Richard F. Selcer
In the heart of Fort Worth, Texas, Hell’s Half Acre was the West’s most notorious red-light district—a rowdy mix of bordellos, saloons, gambling dens, and dance halls where legends were born, battled, and sometimes buried.
From gunslingers like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday to madames like Mary Porter, and outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch, the Acre attracted the bold, the infamous, and the unforgettable. It was a place that defied reform and fueled the local economy—much to the frustration of moral crusaders.
📚 Join us this Saturday from 10–11 AM in the bar area at Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum as we finish our deep dive into this legendary red-light district and reveal our exciting September pick!
Bring your book, your favorite beverage, and get ready for another lively morning of books, banter, and brothel history.You won’t want to miss it—see you there!

Bertha's Bookshelf - Hell's Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red Light District
2025-08-09 08:00 - 17:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
🔥 This Week at Bertha’s Bookshelf: Step Into the Wild Side of Texas! 🔥We’re cracking open a legendary tale of vice, violence, and vibrant characters with:Hell’s Half Acre: The Life and Legend of a Red-Light District by Richard F. Selcer
In the heart of Fort Worth, Texas, Hell’s Half Acre was the West’s most notorious red-light district—a rowdy mix of bordellos, saloons, gambling dens, and dance halls where legends were born, battled, and sometimes buried.
From gunslingers like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday to madams like Mary Porter and outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Wild Bunch, the Acre attracted the bold, the infamous, and the unforgettable. It was a place that defied reform and fueled the local economy—much to the frustration of moral crusaders.
📚 Join us this Saturday from 10–11 AM in the bar area at Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum for a lively discussion. Bring your book, your favorite beverage, and get ready to dive into the grit, glamour, and legacy of the Wild West’s most infamous neighborhood.
You won’t want to miss this one—see you there!

Bertha's Bookshelf - Prostitution in the Gilded Age: The Jennie Hollister Story
2025-07-26 08:00 - 17:00 | AR
✨ This Week at Bertha’s Bookshelf… We’re Wrapping Up a Wild Ride! ✨We’re finishing up our sultry June read:Prostitution in the Gilded Age: The Jennie Hollister Story by Kevin Murphy — and trust us, Jennie’s story is ending with a bang!
Jennie Hollister was one of the most successful madames of the Gilded Age, a woman whose influence echoed across the country.
📚 Don’t miss this final deep dive into Jennie’s world. Bring your book, your favorite beverage, and join the conversation as we say goodbye to a true Gilded Age icon.
🎉 PLUS — we’ll be revealing our August pick, and we can’t wait to share what’s next on the shelf. Get ready for another bold, unforgettable read!

Bertha's Bookshelf - Prostitution in the Gilded Age: The Jennie Hollister Story
2025-07-12 10:00 - 11:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
✨ This Week at Bertha’s Bookshelf… Step into the Gilded Age! ✨We’re cracking open our sizzling new read:Prostitution in the Gilded Age: The Jennie Hollister Story by Kevin Murphy — and it’s going to be a wild ride.
Meet Jennie Hollister—one of the most successful and elusive madames of her time. Her story isn’t just history—it’s legend. Every city in America had a version of Jennie:💃 Fannie Porter‘s brothel in San Antonio catered to infamous outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid…🌉 Sally Stanford ruled San Francisco’s underworld with charm and cunning—and later became the mayor of Sausalito.🎷 Josie Arlington brought luxury and infamy to New Orleans’s legendary Storyville in 1895.⛰️ And Eleanora Dumont lit up boomtowns across the Rockies with her bawdy empire.
Their differences? So tiny, they could fit on a ladybug’s nose—but their impact? Absolutely unforgettable.
So grab your book, your favorite drink, and your curiosity—because the Gilded Age just got a whole lot more scandalous.

1st Saturday Scavenger Hunt
2025-07-05 10:00 - 15:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
Ready for an adventure?
Join us at Miss Laura’s on the 1st Saturday of every month for a thrilling Scavenger Hunt!Explore, search, and uncover hidden treasures between 10 AM and 3 PM — if you find all the items, you’ll win a prize!
Need a little help? No worries — each participant gets one hint from our staff to keep you on track.
Think you’ve got what it takes? Come find out! This event is free

Bertha's Bookshelf - My Life as a Whore: The Biography of Madam Laura Evens
2025-06-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
🔥 It’s Book Club Week at Bertha’s Bookshelf! 🔥We’re diving into the final pages of our juicy June pick:My Life as a Whore: The Biography of Madam Laura Evans by Tracy Beach — and trust us, it’s ending with a bang!
📖 PLUS — we’re revealing our steamy new July pick and we’re so excited to share it with you. 👀 Stay tuned!
📍 Join us every other Saturday from 10–11 AM in the bar area of Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum for bold books, lively chatter, and a dose of historic mischief.
💻 Not in town? No problem! Visit misslaurasmuseum.com and fill out the Contact Us form—we’ll send you a Google Meets link so you can tune in from anywhere.
Books, bawdiness? You know you want in. 😉

Bertha's Bookshelf-My Life as a Whore: The Biography of Madam Laura Evens
2025-06-14 10:00 - 11:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
🔥📖 Hold onto your hats, book lovers!
This week, we’re diving headfirst into our scandalously irresistible June pick: My Life as a Whore: The Biography of Madam Laura Evans by Tracy Beach!
This no-holds-barred biography doesn’t waste a single page—it’s bold, raw, and full of juicy, unapologetic storytelling that’ll keep you hooked from the very first line.
💃 Get ready for grit, glam, and a whole lot of sass—we cannot wait to dig into this one with you!
See you there, you fabulous literary rebels! 💋

Bertha's Bookshelf-Come Into My Parlor
2025-05-31 10:00 - 15:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
📚💋 Book Club Babes, Get Ready!
This week, we’re wrapping up our wild ride through Come Into My Parlor by Charles Washburn—so bring your thoughts, hot takes, and favorite quotes as we close out May with a bang!
But wait… there’s more! 👀 We’ll also be diving into a sneak peek of our juicy June pick: My Life as a Whore: The Biography of Madam Laura Evens by Tracy Beach. You won’t want to miss this one—it’s bold, fascinating, and totally on-brand.
Can’t join us in person? No problem! Fill out the Contact Us form at misslaurasmuseum.com, and we’ll send you a Google Meets link so you can join the fun from anywhere.
💃 History, scandal, and powerful women? Yes, please. See you there!

Bertha's Bookshelf-Come Into My Parlor
2025-05-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
📚✨ Calling All Book Lovers!
We’ll be gathering every other Saturday from 10–11 AM in the cozy bar area of Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum to sip, chat, and dive into our featured book of the month.
📖 This month’s read: Come Into My Parlor by Charles Washburn—an irresistible tale that’s sure to spark some juicy discussion.
Can’t join us in person? No problem! Fill out the Contact Us form at misslaurasmuseum.com, and we’ll send you a Google Meets link so you can join the fun from anywhere.
Books, banter, and brothel history? Yes, please. See you there!

Bertha's Book Shelf Book Club Inaugural Meeting
2025-05-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
📚✨ Calling All Book Lovers!
Join us for the inaugural meeting of our brand-new Book Club—where great reads, lively conversation, and a little local flair come together!
We’ll be gathering every other Saturday from 10–11 AM in the cozy bar area of Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum to sip, chat, and dive into our featured book of the month.
📖 This month’s read: Come Into My Parlor by Charles Washburn—an irresistible tale that’s sure to spark some juicy discussion. This book can be purchased through Amazon, Thrift Books or Abe Books.
Can’t join us in person? No problem! Fill out the Contact Us form at misslaurasmuseum.com, and we’ll send you a Google Meets link so you can join the fun from anywhere.
Books, banter, and brothel history? Yes, please. See you there!

Moral Reform in the Progressive Area-Fort Smith
2025-04-18 13:30 - 14:30 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
Get ready for an exciting and eye-opening talk! Join us on April 18th at 1:30 PM as Shanna Jones takes us on a fascinating journey into the heart of Fort Smith’s moral reformation. She’ll uncover how this pivotal movement reshaped the city and, more specifically, how it impacted the women of Commercial Row. You won’t want to miss this in-depth exploration of history, society, and the powerful stories of those who lived it! This event is free to the public. See you there!

Women's History in Prostitution in the 1940s
2025-03-29 14:00 - 15:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
This will be the last of our Women’s History Month Presentations. The 1940s was a groundbreaking era for women, marked by resilience, transformation, and newfound independence. As war reshaped the world, women stepped into roles they had never held before, proving their strength and forever changing society. Beyond their contributions to the workforce and war effort, this decade also saw dramatic shifts in fashion, beauty, and undergarments—ushering in iconic looks that still influence style today. We’ll also dive into the lives of some of the most influential madams of the time, uncovering their impact on history. Get ready to explore a decade of bold changes, fierce determination, and lasting legacies!

Women's History in Prostitution in the 1940s
2025-03-26 13:30 - 14:30 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
The 1940s was a groundbreaking era for women, marked by resilience, transformation, and newfound independence. As war reshaped the world, women stepped into roles they had never held before, proving their strength and forever changing society. Beyond their contributions to the workforce and war effort, this decade also saw dramatic shifts in fashion, beauty, and undergarments—ushering in iconic looks that still influence style today. We’ll also dive into the lives of some of the most influential madams of the time, uncovering their impact on history. Get ready to explore a decade of bold changes, fierce determination, and lasting legacies!

Women's History in Prostitution in the 1930s
2025-03-22 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-03-19 13:30 - 14:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
Don’t miss the next installment of our Women’s History Month series! This week, we’re diving into the fascinating world of Depression-era prostitution. The 1930s brought a dramatic shift in women’s roles, fashion, makeup, and culture—join us as we uncover the untold stories of survival and transformation during this turbulent time!

Women's History Month: 6 Influential Women in Fort Smith History
2025-03-15 14:00 - 15:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
You’re in for a real treat on this one! Cody Faber from the Fort Smith National Historic Site is back at Miss Laura’s to talk all about 6 of the most influential women in Fort Smith’s origin story. You’ll be shocked to learn that none of them were prostitutes! This event is free to the public

Women's History in Prostitution in the 1920s
2025-03-12 13:30 - 14:00 | Miss Laura’s Brothel Museum, 2 N B St, Fort Smith, AR, 72901, United States
Step back in time with us at the museum as we explore the fascinating world of women’s history through the lens of 1920s prostitution. Discover the stories of influential madams, the fashion trends that defined the era, the beauty secrets of the past, and even the daring undergarments that made a statement—scandalous, we know. This event is free to the public.
