Meet Me at the Wall

Finding Fleur   In the final episode of season 1, hosts Doug, Anne, and Betsy reflect on their journey thus far. They express gratitude to listeners, share a whimsical poem dedicated to Anne's grandmother, Florence, and read some of her writings. Listeners are treated to two letters, and a humorous short story, highlighting Fleur's wit and voice. The episode also touches on the enduring value of relationships and the timelessness of written correspondence. As they look ahead to season 2, the hosts plan to let historical letters tell their own stories and welcome various guests to explore the themes of ancestry and history further.   00:00 Introduction and Gratitude 01:54 Anne's March Diddy 03:07 Florence's Writings 21:30 Fact or Historical Fiction 22:57 The Importance of Relationships 26:21 The Impact of Technology on Relationships 32:13 Looking Forward to Season 2 35:00 Conclusion and Farewell   Link to show notes and photos

The Descendants   In this ninth episode of 'Meet Me at the Wall,' we gather for a special segment with descendants of two other women pictured on the Sweet Briar wall: Frank Mountcastle and Maeve McGuire. We dive into a rich conversation about historical letters, family connections, and personal stories. Highlights include the delightful moment of Maeve's first connection with Anne, Frank's recounting of reunions, and reminiscing about the vibrant lives of their mothers and grandmothers. This episode intertwines the significance of letter writing, historical traditions, and lasting friendships.   00:56 Connecting with Descendants 02:00 Interview with Frank Mountcastle and Maeve McGuire 03:33 Maeve's Memories and Family Stories 09:08 Theater and Radio: Maeve's Early Career 13:00 Sweetbriar Reunions and Lifelong Friendships 21:03 Fortunate Encounters 22:56 Sweetbriar Connections and Family Ties 27:38 The Importance of Letter Writing 32:42 Concluding Thoughts and Farewells 34:57 Post-Conversation Reflections   Link to show notes and photos

Return the Coat   In this episode we wrap up the sketches set in the 1920s and reflect on lessons learned from Anne and Betsy's research.  We discuss the emotional impacts of uncovering family letters and connecting with descendants of past family friends.     01:17 Discoveries at the Local Bookstore 02:16 Reflecting on the End of the 1920s 03:41 Research Challenges and Discoveries 06:17 Connecting with Descendants 10:05 The Value of Ephemeral Letters 14:20 Sketches and Scenes from the 1920s 25:36 Reflecting on Family History 26:30 Fact or Historical Fiction 31:04 Letters from the Past   Link to show notes and photos

Tea Set Blues   In this episode 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

Stick to Pickling   In this episode the hosts share fascinating finds including a ticket from the Delaware Lackawanna and Western Railroad, a letter written at the Waldorf Astoria, 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  

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 special details about the wedding reception. The episode concludes with 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

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

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

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

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

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.