National Trust brings hidden story of Killerton’s last laundresses to life for Heritage Open Days 2026

New Findmypast research uncovers the everyday lives of the women who kept one of Devon's great estates running

UK family history website Findmypast has partnered with the National Trust's Killerton estate in Devon to bring to life the forgotten stories of the women who worked in the estate laundry as part of Heritage Open Days 2026.

Taking place during Heritage Open Days from 11-13 September, "The Laundry Week" is one of seven flagship events across the country supported by Findmypast. In the experience, visitors will step inside Killerton's historic laundry and follow a day in the life of a real working laundress uncovered in the records, Queenie Frankpitt.

 Queenie was one of the last women to work in the laundry before changing technologies transformed domestic life. She left behind valuable first-hand accounts of her experiences at Killerton, providing a rare insight into the realities of laundry work in the early twentieth century.

Visitors will follow Queenie's working day through the building, gaining an understanding of the physical labour, routines and expertise required to wash, dry, iron and care for an estate's household linens.

Killerton received specialist research support from Findmypast's expert team of social and local historians. Drawing on their extensive archive of historical records, newspapers and family history resources alongside estate papers held by the National Trust, researchers details of the lives of Queenie and other women who spent their lives working in the laundry at Killerton.

The research also uncovered the life of Isabella Robinson, for example, believed to be one of the longest-serving Victorian laundresses at Killerton, as well as that of Ann Britton and Eliza Britton, whose family demonstrates how laundry work often spanned generations.

The exhibition explores not only the mechanics of laundry work but also the wider lives of the women behind it, examining how they balanced employment, family life and community ties in rural Devon. In doing so, it shines a light on a workforce whose contribution was essential but often overlooked.

Darcy Willett, Senior Visitor Experience Officer at Killerton House, said: "The laundry was one of the hardest-working spaces on the estate, yet the women who worked here have often remained invisible in traditional histories. Through this project we can finally tell their stories, sharing the experiences and stories of real people who were an essential part of daily life at Killerton and the villages that supported the estate. We're delighted to be working with Findmypast to bring these remarkable lives to the public for Heritage Open Days and beyond."

The project is part of Findmypast's sponsorship of Heritage Open Days' 2026 theme, Everyday Histories, which also provides free access to its archives for participating organisers across England, enabling heritage sites and community groups to uncover fresh stories about the ordinary people who shaped their places and communities.

Lee Wilkinson, Managing Director at Findmypast, said: "Some of the most fascinating historical discoveries come from looking beyond the famous names at grand houses to the ordinary working people whose lives were just as fascinating. The women of Killerton's laundry left only faint traces in the historical record, but by bringing together census records, family history documents and estate archives we've been able to reconstruct their stories and place them back at the heart of the estate's history. These are exactly the kinds of stories that Everyday Histories is designed to celebrate, and we're proud to support Killerton as one of our flagship Heritage Open Days events."

The research and interpretation created for “The Laundry Week” will become part of Killerton's longer-term visitor offer, ensuring these newly uncovered stories continue to be shared long after the festival has ended. The exhibition will establish a lasting legacy for the project, embedding the experiences of women such as Queenie Frankpitt, Isabella Robinson, and the Britton family into the story of the estate.

Heritage Open Days is the largest festival of heritage and culture in England, involving thousands of local volunteers and organisations who celebrate their heritage, community, and history by opening their doors to the public for free.

Liam Montgomery, Heritage Open Days Marketing & Projects Manager, said: “History really hits home when it’s told through personal stories, so Findmypast could not have been better partners for this year’s festival theme, Everyday Histories. We’ve been delighted to connect them with our amazing local organisers, to see how their research and resources have brought new stories to life to be shared over the festival. We’ve been particularly excited to see the extraordinary highlighted in the ordinary of working lives on the Killerton Estate through the careful patchworking of records illuminating laundry workers like Queenie. We can’t wait to see how sharing these new stories spark people’s own thoughts about the connection between individuals, family, community and place.“

This year’s festival runs from 11-20 September. Discover more at: https://www.heritageopendays.org.uk/

Photo ©National Trust Images/Darcy Willett.