Staff
- Lady of the House typically in charge of staff
- Female servants on call 24 hours a day
- Servants’ quarters separated from the rest of the home
Lives of Servants at Prairie Avenue Home
- Hidden corridors allowed servants to move throughout house unnoticed
- Servants were expected to be loyal, silent and deferential
- Employers found staff through newspaper advertisements, recommendations and agencies that matched employers with potential employees
Conclusion
- Before labor movement, laborers and servants had no protection under the law
- Low unemployment, high wages and room and board made domestic service desirable for some
Please click on the link for more information on servants at the Glessner House.
Glessner House Museum 