Someone Lived Here

In this episode of Someone Lived Here, Kendra Gaylord brings you to Sarah Orne Jewett’s home in South Berwick, Maine. The home was built in 1774 and was lived in by the Jewett family for about 100 years.Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Uh2At1w3oCkThe home, this town, and it’s residents were the inspiration for many of Sarah Orne Jewett’s novels and short stories. Her writing is often described as regionalism, but behind her trailing descriptions of the Maine countryside, she was detailing the lives of independent women. Although these books were fiction we can see that independence mirrored in her own life which she lived here and in Boston with her partner Annie Fields.We learn more about Sarah, Annie, and the whole Jewett Family by talking with the Southern Maine Site Manager for Historic New England, Alyssa Sweet. She brings us through the dining room, library, and the bedrooms. We get to look at Sarah Orne Jewett’s writing desk and her cozy room on the second floor.I want to thank Historic New England for letting us do this. Their amazing work has preserved houses for over 100 years. Thank you Alyssa Sweet for giving us this wonderful tour. Thank you Laura Sullivan and Keith Foster for saying yes and helping organize this recording. Thank you to my brother for filming all the footage of the home that you can see on YouTube. Thank you Tim Cahill for the wonderful music. Thank you Professor Terry Heller who has collected the letters and diaries of Sarah Orne Jewett online through The Sarah Orne Jewett Text Project. Thank you to Nancy Wetzel for your correspondence on Sarah Orne Jewett quotations. The book Sarah Orne Jewett: Her World and her Work by Paula Blanchard is a great biography and was very helpful in producing this episode.I visited this house in June 2025 and filmed the home so you can see this podcast with visuals on my YouTube channel, Kendra Gaylord.https://someonelivedhere.com/the-sarah-orne-jewett-house/Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Uh2At1w3oCkSupport my Patreon: https://patreon.com/kendragaylord

In this episode of Someone Lived Here, Kendra brings you to the Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens in Woodland, Washington. The home was built by Hulda's family, The Thiel's in 1889. Hulda Klager would purchase the home and move in in her 40s.She became interested in the work of Luther Burbank, a horticulturist and hybridized. She had been inspired by the book New Creations in Plant Life by William Sumner Harwood, which detailed Luther Burbanks process. Hulda Klager began her own experiments with hybridization: first with apples, then lilacs. Behind the house is a large garden filled with lilacs, many of which were Hulda's creations.*Audio levels fixed May 28th, 2024*This episode wouldn't be possible without the Hulda Klager Lilac Garden. Mari Ripp, the executive director, made this whole recording possible. Judy Card, Debbie Elliott, Barbara Harlan, and Mari Ripp guided us through the home and property. The historic talk was put on by the Hulda Klager Lilac Garden, the Woodland Historical Museum, and the Lelooska Foundation. It was moderated by Erin Thoeny and recorded by Keith Bellisle. Thank you to Mary Jo Kellar, Fran and Kirk Northcut, and Jon Drury for their stories.Images from the day of the interview were taken by Ada Horne. Tim Cahill created our music. You can find a full transcript of this episode below the photos.Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/kendragaylordYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kendragaylordTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kendragaylord

In the sixth episode of season 3, Kendra brings you to Neely Mansion in Auburn, Washington. The property was built by the Neely's: a pioneer family, but it was home to tenant farming families from the early 1900s to the 1980s. Behind the house is a Japanese Bath House built by the Hori Family and further back a tool shed used by the Acosta family. We had the pleasure of talking with Julie Acosta who grew up on this farm and worked with her parents here. This story wouldn't be possible without the work of the volunteers who saved this house from an uncertain future in 1983. We speak to some of the many women who saved it throughout our visit at Neely Mansion. Thank you to Linda, Carol, Karen, and Julie for talking with us.A bonus episode will soon be available on this episode on Someone Lived Here's Patreon:patreon.com/someonelivedhereCheck out Kendra's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@kendragaylord

In the fifth episode of season 3, Kendra brings you to The Cayton-Revels House in Seattle, Washington. Horace Cayton and Susie Revels Cayton were the home's first owners. Together the couple owned, edited, and wrote the longest-running Black-owned newspaper at the turn of the century in Seattle. Susie was the daughter of Hiram Rhodes Revels the first Black United States Senator elected in 1870. Through the episode, you learn the Cayton-Revels family story and how it intertwines with this home.Episode subtitles: https://someonelivedhere.com/cayton-revels-house/Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/someonelivedhereThe private home was recently landmarked through the work of Taha Ebrahimi, who took quick action after learning the history of the home. She had the full support of homeowners Kathy Ackerman and Erie Jones, along with the family friend and descendent of Horace and Susie Cayton, Harold Woodson Jr. It was the friendship of Harold's mom, Susan Cayton Woodson who helped preserve the family connection to this home.

In the fourth episode of season 3, Kendra brings you to The Rebecca Nurse Homestead in Danvers, Massachusetts. The home was the final home of Rebecca Nurse, an older religious woman accused and executed on the charges of being a witch. By learning Rebecca's story, we better understand the events that led to the death of 20 people in the Salem Witch Trials, including her sister Mary Easty.Thank you to Kathryn Rutkowski for the tour. The Rebecca Nurse Homestead is a volunteer-run historic home. If you’re interested in taking a tour learn more about their hours on The Rebecca Nurse Homestead website.If you want to read more about the Salem Witch Trials, I’d highly recommend Marilyn K Roach’s The Salem Witch Trials and Emerson Baker’s A Storm of Witchcraft, which were used to research this episode.A full transcript can be found here: https://someonelivedhere.com/rebeccanurseYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpgUM6AudvZ-WSlHKOKUWVQTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kendragaylordInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/someonelivedherepod/

In the third episode of season 3, Kendra Gaylord brings you to The House of the Seven Gables in Salem, Massachusetts. The home was the inspiration of Nathaniel Hawthorne's The House of the Seven Gables and was owned in the 1800s by his cousin Susannah Ingersoll. The home was originally built by Captain John Turner and was in his family for three generations.In 1908 Caroline Emmerton purchased the home to act as both a house museum and a Settlement House. The home was restored to a 1720 interpretation by Joseph Chandler. Four gables had been removed over the years and were added back, along with the addition of a secret staircase.A full transcript can be found here: https://someonelivedhere.com/houseofthesevengables/Thank you to The House of the Seven Gables, Senior Historic Interpreter and Lead Researcher David Moffat, and Community Engagement Director Julie Arrison-Bishop. You can book tour tickets to see The House of the Seven Gables in person.Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpgUM6AudvZ-WSlHKOKUWVQTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kendragaylordInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/someonelivedherepod/

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. You can see archival photos and referenced items at https://someonelivedhere.com/beauport/ 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. The new shop: https://someonelivedhere.com/shop/ The Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpgUM6AudvZ-WSlHKOKUWVQ

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 on 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 a reconstruction of 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. Links mentioned in the episode: The new shop: https://someonelivedhere.com/shop/ Find the history of your NYC apartment (or Monica Geller’s): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dw_4nSog8g&t=1s Charmingly Quaint and Still Modern: The Paradox of Colonial Revival Needlework in America 1875-1940 by Beverly Gordon: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2052&context=tsaconf  

In the season finale of Someone Lived Here we learn the story of the Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The neighborhood was 35 blocks and became known as Black Wall Street. It was a thriving black community that was the site of The Tulsa Massacre. It would later be rebuilt even bigger than before, but today very few original buildings are still standing. We also follow the story of the Dreamland Theatre and the owner, Loula T Williams and her son, William Danforth Williams. In this episode, we interview Hannibal B Johnson, an attorney and writer from Tulsa, Oklahoma who has written multiple books including Black Wall Street: From Riot to Renaissance in Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District and Images of America: Tulsa’s Historic Greenwood District. At the end of the episode, Kendra gave herself a homework assignment. She would love for you to join. Go to Someone Lived Here website for more details.

In this episode of Someone Lived Here, we follow the life of Victoria Woodhull starting at her mansion at 15 East 38th Street in Murray Hill, which is no longer standing. Then tracing her life back from the small Ohio town where she was born. Victoria started her life as a psychic, became a stockbroker, then a women's rights activist and the first female presidential nominee. 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 support the show, check out our website: https://someonelivedhere.com/support-us/