LGBT+ featured in Someone Lived Here episodes

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

Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Transcript | Email

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” →

Edna St. Vincent Millay’s Steepletop

August 26, 2019June 2, 2023 admin

Explore the home of the poet, Edna St. Vincent Millay

In this episode of the podcast Someone Lived Here, Kendra brings you to Edna St Vincent Millay’s home in Austerlitz, New York. Steepletop, which she named after Steeplebush that grew on the property, was Millay’s home for 25 years. It was also the place she died.

In this episode, we walk through Millay’s home and property to better understand her poetry and her life. After Millay’s death, her sister Norma would become its steward. The episode focuses on Edna St Vincent Millay’s relationship with her mother and her sister.

Thank you to Holly Peppe, Mark O’Berski, and the entire Edna St Vincent Millay Society. The home is not currently open to the public, due to a financial crisis. You can learn more about the property and how to donate, here.

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

Vincent and Eugen on the front porch of the main house, c. 1945
*Photo credit: Edna St. Vincent Millay Society*

Millay reading in her library at Steepletop, c. 1948 Photo credit: Edna St. Vincent Millay Society

Millay in the “Bird Window Seat” in her withdrawing room, c. 1948
*Photo credit: Edna St. Vincent Millay Society*

Vincent, Eugen and a friend enjoy a dip in the pool. Bathing suits were prohibited. c. 1938
*Photo credit: Edna St. Vincent Millay Society*

Below is a transcript for season 1, episode 7 of Someone Lived Here at Edna St Vincent Millay’s home in Austerlitz, New York. 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” →