Someone Lived Here

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.

Continue reading →

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” →