Artists featured in episodes of Someone Lived Here

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” →

Jack Kirby’s Lower East Side Apartment

May 18, 2020June 9, 2021 admin

The childhood tenement of comic book creator, Jack Kirby

Jack Kirby photo by Sampsel & Preston Photography
Apartment photo via NYC Department of Records

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In this episode of Someone Lived Here, we follow the life of Jack Kirby starting in his apartment on Suffolk Street in the Lower East Side. The tenement is no longer standing, but the characters he created over his decades in the comic book industry are still everywhere you look.

This season, host Kendra Gaylord, is exploring homes that are no longer standing by learning their stories, all while staying self-isolated in her apartment in Brooklyn.

If you’d like to learn more about Jack Kirby and see his work throughout the years I would highly recommend the biography Kirby: King of Comics by Mark Evanier.

Below is a transcript for season 2, episode 4 of Someone Lived Here, focused on the life of Jack Kirby and the places he lived. 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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Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House

February 10, 2020November 6, 2023 admin2 Comments

Explore the home of Little Women and Louisa May Alcott

In this bonus episode of Someone Lived Here, learn the real life story of Little Women. Kendra takes you to Orchard House, the home of Louisa May Alcott in Concord, Massachusetts. The home is where Louisa wrote and set her book, Little Women. This home was recreated for the recent Little Women film, directed by Greta Gerwig and nominated for an Oscar.

In this episode, we unravel the real lives of Anna, Louisa, Elizabeth, and May. By walking through the rooms and items they owned, we better understand the real people, in both their happiness and hardships.

Thank you to Jan Turnquist and the entire staff at Orchard House. The home is open to visitors almost every day. You can learn more about the home and take a virtual tour on their website.

Music for this episode was by Tim Cahill.

Below is a transcript for season 1, episode 8 of Someone Lived Here at Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House in Concord, 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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Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

August 12, 2019April 12, 2023 admin

Explore the final home of the writer and poet

Rocking chair owned by Edgar Allan Poe – Photo by Via Perkins

Listen to the 7-minute bonus episode for Edgar Allan Poe Cottage which includes recordings and stories I couldn’t fit in the original episode. We talk about how I struggled to parse the truth about such a revered writer, I also learned more about his wife and a missing Daugerrotype. You can listen by joining Someone Lived Here’s Patreon at any level.

In this episode of the podcast Someone Lived Here, Kendra brings you to Edgar Allan Poe Cottage in the Bronx. This unassuming cottage was the final home of the writer Edgar Allan Poe and the home his young wife and cousin, Virginia Clemm Poe, died in.

In this episode, we walk through the small cottage, learn more about the man, his addiction and his writing. We see the items he and Virginia owned, a rocking chair, a mirror, and the bed Virginia died in.

Thank you to Vivian Davis, the Bronx Historical Society, and the Historic House Trust. You can see the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage visiting hours on their website.

Special thanks to Via Perkins who took photos of the cottage below. Music by Tim Cahill. Icon artwork by Ben Kirk. Transcription by Sam Fishkind.

Mirror owned by Edgar Allan Poe – Photo by Via Perkins

Virginia’s deathbed – Photo by Via Perkins

Kendra with Edgar Allan Poe cutout – Photo by Via Perkins

Below is a transcript for season 1, episode 6 of Someone Lived Here at Edgar Allan Poe Cottage in Bronx, NY. 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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Pollock-Krasner House

July 15, 2019April 12, 2023 admin

Explore the studio and home of abstract expressionists Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock

Listen to the 15-minute bonus episode for the Pollock-Krasner House which takes recordings I couldn’t fit in like the original house layout that Lee regretted changing, the kitchen where Jackson cooked, and the family reaction to the portrayal in the movie Pollock. You can listen by joining Someone Lived Here’s Patreon at any level.

In this episode of the podcast Someone Lived Here, Kendra brings you to the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center in Springs, NY. A hamlet in the village of East Hampton on Long Island. The property is a farmhouse style originally owned by a fisherman. The two artists, Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock created much of their most prominent work on this property.

While walking through the property and barn studio you will learn of Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock’s life, how they navigated their professional and personal relationship, and the physical legacy they have both left on the studio in the barn.

We also learn more of their friends Ted Dragon and Alfonso Ossorio. To read the articles referenced in the episode check out the Easthampton Star article, To Catch a Thief, along with the Rogue article entitled The King of the Creeks.

Thank you to Helen Harrison for showing us around. You can book a tour or learn more about the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center here.

Music by Tim Cahill. Icon artwork by Ben Kirk. Transcription by Sam Fishkind.

Below is a transcript for season 1, episode 4 of Someone Lived Here at the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center in Springs, NY. 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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Lewis Latimer House

June 17, 2019April 11, 2023 admin

Explore the Queens home of inventor Lewis Latimer

Lewis Latimer's house currently — Photo credit: Lewis Latimer House Museum

Listen to the 10-minute bonus episode for the Lewis Latimer House which takes recordings I couldn’t fit in like the family piano, additional artwork and poetry of Lewis, and more on the Latimer family’s creativity. You can listen by joining Someone Lived Here’s Patreon at any level.

In this episode of the podcast Someone Lived Here, Kendra brings you to the Lewis Latimer House in Queens, NY. Lewis Latimer was an inventor and electrical pioneer who shaped the history of objects we still use every day. He was African American and the son of slaves.

While you walk through the Queen Anne style home you’ll learn about Lewis Latimer and the ups and downs of his career. Through his journal entries and poetry, you’ll better understand his relationship with his work, his race, and his family. He was a poet and an artist so you’ll hear one of his poems entitled The Worker.

Thank you to Alex Unthank for guiding us through the home and teaching us more about Lewis Latimer. The Lewis Latimer House Museum is a member of the Historic House Trust.

Lewis Latimer and his house in the 1900s — Photo Credit: The Queens Library

Lewis Latimer the subject of this podcast episode — Photo credit: The Queens Library

Lewis Latimer's invention, the carbon filament — Photo credit: *Lewis Latimer House Museum*

Music by Tim Cahill. Icon artwork by Ben Kirk.

YouTube Video of Lewis Latimer podcast episode with captions and imagery

Below is a transcript for the second episode of Someone Lived Here at the Lewis Latimer House in Flushing, Queens. 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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Alice Austen House

March 22, 2019April 11, 2023 admin

Explore the Staten Island home of photographer Alice Austen

The Alice Austen House on Staten Island. A white house with gingerbread trim — Photo Credit: Floto + Warner, Clear Comfort, 2015. ©Floto + Warner.

Listen to the 15-minute bonus episode for the Alice Austen House which takes recordings I couldn’t fit in like her contributions to the women’s bicycle movement, how her photos restored a ship in Australia, and trip up to Alice’s dark room. You can listen by joining Someone Lived Here’s Patreon.

In the first episode of the podcast Someone Lived Here (June 3rd), Kendra Gaylord brings you to the Alice Austen House on Staten Island. Alice Austen was a photographer who took beautiful personal photos of her friends. These photos include crossdressing and card games. She was also in a loving relationship with another woman, Gertrude Tate, for 50 years. Alice Austen lived from 1866 to 1952.

While walking through the home you learn Alice’s story and the events that led to poverty and how her work was found before her death.

Below are some photos of Alice and the property. If you would like to see some of the photos mentioned in the episode look through this collection curated by Victoria Munro.

If you are interested in visiting the Alice Austen House they are open Tuesday through Sunday. Go to the Alice Austen website for more details.

Alice Austen in Striped dress at age 22 — Photo Credit: Oswald Muller, Alice Austen in Striped dress age 22, June 1888. Collection of the Alice Austen House.

Alice Austen and her partner Gertrude Tate for podcast episode of Someone Lived Here — Photo Credit: Alice Austen & Gertrude Tate, Pickard’s Penny Photo Studio, Stapleton Staten Island, C.1905. Collection of the Alice Austen House.

Alice Austen's House and Balcony in the 1900s - Alice Austen podcast episode for Someone Lived Here — Photo Credit: Alice Austen, Austen House Porch and Balcony, ca. 1900. Collection of the Alice Austen House.

Alice Austen parlor at Clear Comfort — Photo Credit: Alice Austen, Parlor at Clear Comfort, ca. 1890. Collection of the Alice Austen House.

Current photo of parlor — Photo Credit: Kendra Gaylord, Parlor at Alice Austen House, 2019.

Music by Tim Cahill. Icon artwork by Ben Kirk. Transcription by Sam Fishkind.

YouTube Video of Alice Austen podcast episode with captions and imagery

Below is a transcript for the first episode of Someone Lived Here at the Alice Austen House on Staten Island. 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 “Alice Austen House” →