About
Sarah Christie Stevens (1844-1919) lived on a farm in Blue Earth County and owned no more than four pairs of shoes. I’m a Minnesota/US historian (1950- ), living in Hennepin County, and willing to admit to owning probably 30 pairs. Together, we will explore why Sarah had so few (it wasn’t because she was poor, she wasn’t) and I have so many (and I don’t have nearly as many as some women I know —maybe even you!). The comparison takes us into changes in industrialization, advertising, architecture, transportation, sports. Before you come, count your own shoes (men, too!) and call to mind your favorites. Our shoes tell us about our society. They also tell about ourselves and our place in history. Historians call this kind of history “Material culture.” I live to call it your history and mine.