Introducing Meet Me at the Wall

Bringing Ancestry to Life

Join Anne Goodwin, Betsy Schmiechen, and Doug Marconnet as they introduce their new podcast 'Meet Me at the Wall,' launching on January 12th. The podcast is based on hundreds of letters saved by Anne's grandmother, spanning from the late 1800s through the 1960s. They share stories of colorful characters from different eras, such as World War I, the Roaring Twenties, the Great Depression, and World War II. With deep dives into personal experiences, historical figures and events, the podcast aims to provide listeners with a 'pleasurable pause' as they explore fascinating stories from their time travels.

Arriving Sweet Briar

In the inaugural episode of 'Meet Me at the Wall,' our hosts introduce a podcast dedicated to uncovering and bringing to life the history of Anne's grandmother, Florence Westgate. Anne details how her deep dive into letters written to her grandmother led her to write historical fiction based on real-life nuggets of history such as Florence's romantic entanglements and the tight-knit community of Sweet Briar College. The hosts ponder the ephemeral nature of modern communications compared to the lasting legacy of handwritten letters, and also touch on the historical context of the changing oil industry and its impact on their families. The episode includes sketches inspired by these letters, setting the stage for a season devoted to the 1920s.

00:00 Introduction to Meet Me at the Wall

01:38 Discovering the Letters

04:07 Time Traveling with Florence

08:54 The Sweetbriar Girls

11:31 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

26:47 Truth or Historical Fiction

30:35 Ink on Paper vs. The Cloud

32:24 The Oil Business and Community Impact

34:21 Conclusion and Next Episode Preview

Link to show notes and photos

We’re Family Now

Anne explores her grandmother's history through century-old letters, discussing the concept of a 'Mrs. degree' and Sweet Briar College traditions. She recounts a visit to Sweet Briar and the emotional impact of walking in her grandmother’s footsteps. Anne also shares a poignant sketch depicting an adoption ceremony created for a friend in need, blending fact and fiction to highlight enduring friendships.

00:54 The Concept of a Mrs. Degree

02:45 Exploring Sweet Briar College

05:27 Meeting at the Wall

10:53 The Amazement Journal

14:12 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

26:38 Lifelong Friendships and Letters

31:26 Fact or Historical Fiction

Link to show notes and photos

The Tryst

From Reggie's relentless affection to Ben's sincere courtship, this episode delves into Florence's challenging decision between her suitors. Offering insights into the Sweetbriar College era, the hosts touch upon the historical context and familial influences shaping Florence's choices. Additionally, the show features a touching segment recounting Anne’s recent visit to connect with a descendant of one of Florence’s friends, providing a rich tapestry of both personal and historical narratives.

00:43 Confessions

01:32 The Tryst: Unveiling Secrets

04:10 Love Letters and Romantic Gestures

08:48 Overlapping Engagements

11:11 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

27:20 Fact or Historical Fiction

36:29 A Special Meeting

Link to show notes and photos

Pickle Resolved

Anne shares Ted's story of enlisting in WWI, showing how history intertwines with personal decisions. Our hosts also explore ephemera and artifacts such as a housekeeper's chatelaine, dance cards, and cookbooks, emphasizing how these connect us to the past. Sketches about Florence’s life reveal her engagement dilemma and her eventual decision. The conversation wraps up with a teaser for the next episode…the wedding episode!

01:01 The Quest for Grandmother's Letters

01:50 Ted's War Story

04:03 Exploring Historical Artifacts

11:18 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

20:49 Fact or Historical Fiction

25:35 The Bobbed Hair Rebellion

29:23 Looking Forward to the Wedding Episode

Link to show notes and photos

All That is Shiney

Anne explores a thread linking one of Ben's letters to Florence with the bobbed hair craze. Anecdotes from history are shared, like a surprise trip to Baltimore and surprising details about the wedding reception. The episode concludes with the anticipating the challenges and joys of Florence and Ben's early married life in future episodes.

01:32 The Magic of the Letters

03:32 Florence and Ben's Engagement Letters

05:50 Wedding Preparations and Reflections

09:57 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

21:02 Discussing the Wedding Episode

25:44 Fact or Historical Fiction

30:27 Ted's History Uncovered

33:34 Exploring the Pullman Porters

34:49 Looking Ahead: Married Life

Stick to Pickling

In this episode the hosts share facinating finds including a ticket from the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad, a letter written at the Waldorf Historia, and other historical ephemera. Follow deep dives into the significance of Pullman Porters, Walter's friendship, and of course, adventures with Ben and Florence. Whether detailing life milestones or unexpected mishaps, this podcast continues to intertwine personal history with broader historical events.

00:54 Office News and Discoveries

01:44 Unveiling an Ephemera Surprise

04:31 The Pullman Porters' Legacy

10:29 Grandmother's Journal and Wedding Memories

16:21 Setting the Record Straight

17:30 Dating the Sweetbriar Photograph

18:24 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

31:45 Followups about Characters in the Sketches

33:10 Fact or Historical Fiction

35:28 Reflecting on Communication and Connection

38:27 Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Teasers

Link to show notes and photos

Tea Set Blues

In this episode of we learn about the adventurous life of Walter Critchlow, as well as Florence's early years of marriage and starting a family. We also discuss how certain traits and tendencies can pass down through generations.

00:53 The Podcast Cookies

02:08 Influence of the Podcast on Personal Discoveries

04:05 Family Literary Tendencies

10:24 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s

24:58 Walter's Flight and Historical Insights

28:36 Fact or Historical Fiction: Walter's Crash

34:05 Family Dynamics and Reflections

35:30 Florence's Church Switch

Link to show notes and photos