Architects featured on Someone Lived Here

Henry Davis Sleeper’s Beauport

June 28, 2021June 28, 2021 admin

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In the second episode of season 3, Kendra brings you to Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Henry Davis Sleeper was one of the first professional interior designers in the US. His work used salvaged material, color, and light to create spaces overflowing with personality. Beauport, built in 1907, became a portfolio of his work, with 5 dining rooms designed to impress and entertain. Barely anything has changed in this time capsule of his work.

Henry Davis Sleeper was a gay man with a close circle of friends and neighbors. In this episode, we go through the rooms in his home and tell his story: from his early relationship with Guy Whetmore Caryll, to his friendship with A. Piatt Andrew, and a mouse encounter with Isabella Stewart Gardner. Henry Davis Sleeper lived from 1878 to 1934.

Thank you to Historic New England, Site Manager Martha Van Koevering, and PR Officer Susanna Crampton. You can book tour tickets to see Beauport in person.

Images referenced in this episode can be found below courtesy of Historic New England. You can find a full transcript of this episode.

The music for our show is by Tim Cahill. Check out his new album, Songs From a Bedroom.

If you like this episode and want to hear other episodes like it check out: Alice Austen House, Lyndhurst Mansion, Hill-Stead Museum, Steepletop.

Cogswell House, Essex MA. With Henry Davis Sleeper, A. Piatt Andrew, Isabella Stewart Gardner, courtesy of Historic New England.

Interior Sleeper residence, 336 Beacon Street, Boston - desk and Guy Whetmore Caryll portrait shown — Interior Sleeper residence – 336 Beacon Street, Boston, courtesy of Historic New England.

Mourning embroidery style collage, two men embrace, courtesy of Historic New England.

window and view from Gold Step Room, Beauport — Gold Step Room, Beauport, courtesy of Historic New England.

The Octagon Room, Beauport, courtesy of Historic New England.

Henry Davis Sleeper and A. Piatt Andrew, courtesy of Historic New England.

Below is a transcript for S3E2 of Someone Lived Here at Beauport, the Sleeper-McCann House in Gloucester, Massachusetts. If you have any questions about the show or suggestions on how to make it more accessible please reach out at someonelivedhere@gmail.com.

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Theodate Pope Riddle’s Hill-Stead Museum

April 26, 2021June 9, 2021 admin

Explore the home of architect Theodate Pope Riddle

Theodate Pope Riddle with dog and exterior Hill-Stead Museum

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In the first episode of season 3, Kendra brings you to the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut. Theodate Pope Riddle designed this home, her first architectural project, as a retirement home for her parents. Throughout the episode, we learn about her close friendship with Mary Hillard, her fixation on communicating with the dead, and her near-death experience as a survivor of the sinking of the Lusitania.

Theodate’s father, Alfred Pope, was Theodate’s biggest supporter and a lover of the arts. The family’s collection of French Impressionist paintings can still be found in the Hill-Stead Museum today. The home was built around the paintings of Monet, Cassatt, Degas, and Manet.

Theodate Pope Riddle lived from 1867 to 1946. As an architect, Theodate designed homes and schools throughout Connecticut and New York, including Westover School, Avon Old Farms School, and reconstructing Theodore Roosevelt’s birthplace.

Thank you to the Hill-Stead Museum: Executive Director – Dr. Anna Swinbourne, Curator – Melanie Bourbeau, and Chief Advancement Officer – Beth Brett. The book Dearest of Geniuses: A Life of Theodate Pope Riddle by Sandra L Katz was key in making this episode.

Photos of Theodate and paintings from the Hill-Stead collection can be found below, along with a full transcript of the episode. Completely unrelated to the episode, but very cute: here is a live cam of sheep at Hill-Stead.

If you are interested in visiting the Hill-Stead Museum you can get more details on tours at the Hill-Stead Museum website.

The music for our show is by Tim Cahill. Check out his new album, Songs From a Bedroom.

If you like this episode and want to hear other episodes like it check out: Lyndhurst Mansion, Pollock-Krasner House, Sailor’s Snug Harbor, Victoria Woodhull’s Murray Hill Mansion.

Theodate Pope Riddle in black and white with fur — Theodate Pope Riddle, courtesy of Hill-Stead Museum.

View of Cap d’Antibes by Claude Monet — **View of Cap d’Antibes** by Claude Monet, courtesy of Hill-Stead Museum.

Sara Handing a Toy to the Baby by Mary Cassatt — **Sara Handing a Toy to the Baby** by Mary Cassatt, courtesy of Hill-Stead Museum.

Below is a transcript for S3E1 of Someone Lived Here at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, Connecticut. If you have any questions about the show or suggestions on how to make it more accessible please reach out at someonelivedhere@gmail.com. Continue reading “Theodate Pope Riddle’s Hill-Stead Museum” →

Maudslay State Park

April 6, 2020June 9, 2021 admin2 Comments

The home of the Moseleys and the garden design of Martha Brookes Hutcheson

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In the second season of Someone Lived Here, Kendra explores homes that are no longer standing from the self-isolated location of her apartment. This week, we explore Maudslay State Park, formerly the Maudsleigh Estate. The park was once the country home of Frederick Strong Moseley and his family. In 1904, he commissioned the architectural design of Martha Brookes Hutcheson. Her designs and life story are the focus of the episode.

Music for this episode was by Tim Cahill.

*Photo from Martha Brookes Hutcheson’s The Spirit of the Garden*

*Photos from Martha Brookes Hutcheson*‘s The Spirit of the Garden

Unmarked photos taken by Kendra Gaylord between the years of 2010 and 2015.

Below is a transcript for season 2, episode 1 of Someone Lived Here at Maudslay State Park in Newburyport, MA. If you have any questions about the show or suggestions on how to make it more accessible please reach out at someonelivedhere@gmail.com.

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