Bertha's Bookshelf - Uneasy Virtue
2025-09-06 10:00 UTC | 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.

1st Saturday Scavenger Hunt
2025-09-06 10:00 - 15:00
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
2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:00
📚✨ 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!
