Category: Sophia Woodhouse's Grass Bonnets
About the Author: Melissa Josefiak
Melissa Josefiak served as the Assistant Director of Wethersfield Historical Society for several years, stepping back from full-time work to raise her daughter and continue with smaller-scale projects in the museum field. She recently completed three consecutive terms on the Board of the Connecticut League of History Organizations and presently …
Sophia Woodhouse’s Grass Bonnets
Inventor and businesswoman, Wethersfield’s Sophia Woodhouse (1799-1883) was one of the first female entrepreneurs of the Greater Hartford area. Plying her trade during the early 19th century, Sophia developed an innovative technique for treating, drying, and braiding spear grass to make high quality bonnets. She patented her design in 1821 …