Located at the historic Hattie’s Mill, Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum is an 18-room mansion with authentic Victorian era artifacts from the early 1900s until the 1960s. This one-of-a-kind experience unveils stories about life in a large Southern family and how small town business owners operated their establishments to make ends meet during hard economic times. It also explores how church leaders, law enforcement officers, schoolteachers, and businessmen took advantage of vulnerable women to exploit them financially. The exhibits are cleverly disguised as display cases that show you what life was like behind closed doors at this brothel. Miss Hattie’s is open year-round from 10 am until 5 pm Wednesday through Saturday and noon until 5 pm on Sunday. You can visit this amazing destination at 18 E Concho Ave, San Angelo, TX 76903.

 

The History of the Museum
Miss Hattie’s was built in 1892 as a flour, feed, and lumber mill. The facility’s owner, Mr. Thomas H. Wood, transported flour from the mill to the local railroad where it was shipped to San Angelo and other cities. The owners of the brothel that was located adjacent to Miss Hattie’s saw the potential of turning the building into a bed and breakfast. The owners of the bed and breakfast convinced Mr. Wood to let them renovate the building and make it into a bed and breakfast. They filled the rest of the building with antique furniture and collectibles. Miss Hattie’s was a brothel for about 40 years. It was operated by a family of five brothers (one of whom died young in 1918) who were the owners and managers of the brothel. The Wood family and their employees provided food, clothing, and shelter to the women who worked at the brothel. The women were customers, not prostitutes. Most of the customers were married men or widowers who came to the brothel looking for companionship. The women were expected to be at the brothel between 8 am and 5 pm, including meal breaks.

 

What You’ll See in the Museum
Miss Hattie’s is a true-to-life museum that uses vintage furnishings and artifacts to show the public what life was like at a brothel from the 1920s to the 1960s. There are gallery displays of advertisements, photos, and memorabilia related to the brothel. There is also a recreated parlor featuring a bar and tables where women and men could eat and drink. There are also bedrooms, a kitchen, and a chapel. The museum also features a bar where visitors can order drinks and snacks. Visitors will learn about the business of being a madam and the challenges an owner of a brothel faced during the Great Depression. The business strategy was straightforward: make enough money to support the staff, pay the bills, and break even. When the economy turned sour, it became much harder to make enough money to keep the business running.

 

5 Things Only Locals Will Understand When You Visit the Museum
– Businesses used to operate like this. – Many of these women were exploited by their husbands or family members. – Many of these women were not prostitutes. – These women were expected to be at the brothel between 8 am and 5 pm, including meal breaks. – The brothel was called a bordello because it was legally a boarding house.

 

Tips for Visiting Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum
– Wear old-fashioned clothing. – Plan on spending the day at the museum. – Bring your camera. There are plenty of excellent photo opportunities at Miss Hattie’s. – Don’t forget to leave a donation for the museum at the gift shop.

 

Final Word: Is a Day at the Miss Hattie’s Bordello Museum Worth It?
There is no doubt that Miss Hattie’s is a one-of-a-kind experience. The museum is authentic, the staff is friendly, and the building is impressive. It is easy to spend the day at the museum, which makes it easy to become immersed in the history of how the brothel operated. There are also plenty of activities to keep you busy should you want to take a break from exploring the museum. Miss Hattie’s is a great day trip in San Angelo, but it is also worth a visit when you visit San Angelo. This is a one-of-a-kind experience and it is worth a visit no matter when you visit San Angelo. Miss Hattie’s is located at 12 S. Enterprise in San Angelo, TX. The museum is open from 10 am until 5 pm Wednesday through Saturday and noon until 5 pm on Sunday. Admission is free but donations are accepted to help restore the building and operate it as a museum. Groups of 10 or more may call ahead for special rates.

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