In the period from 1850 to 1920, the lives of most Adirondack women did not follow the Victorian ideal. Because of the mixed economy and the isolation of the land in which they lived, women in the Adirondacks had to be resourceful. Varied jobs and responsibilities often took them outside the home and into the commercial world - a place where the novels and magazines they read said they should not go.

Although their work seemed "never done," the quality of the lives of Adirondack women was enhanced by a sense of community, and the peace and beauty found in the natural environment. Spelling schools, fairs, and church activities provided occasional opportunities for entertainment. In shared fishing trips, apple-paring bees, and quiltings, the work that defined women's lives often became a treasured occasion for companionship and relaxation.

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