Our new podcast girlfriend and host of Significant Others Podcast, Liza Powel O’Brien (Conan is her husband) (Yes, that Conan O’Brien.)
This isn’t a new thing for us, we just thought that it would be fun to have a conversation with another female history podcaster, and Liza graciously accepted. It’s not an interview, we don’t do those, it’s more like listening to the conversation at the next table in a coffee shop. We talk podcasting and interests and…well, just give a listen. (more…)
When Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022, her reign was in its 71st year. That alone makes her a woman we would love to cover! Alas, we don’t spotlight subjects who are still with us, and, even then, we like to give them a respectful mourning period after they pass away. This allows time for her legacy to become established–that’s when we like to dive into her life. (more…)
Elizabeth Van Lew and Belle Boyd were both born in Virginia, both died in 1900, and both were spies during the American Civil War…for opposing sides of the conflict!
Time Travel With The History Chicks
Books!
Elizabeth R. Varon, birth to death biography
Middle-Grade biography by Heidi Schoof
Compilation biography that reads like a novel by Karen Abbott
Historical Fiction by Rosemary Agonito
Richard Snow
Charles River Editors
Historical Fiction Claire J Griffin (I didn’t read it, but appreciated the information on her website so it’s a half recommendation)
My deepest apologies, I thought I read this online, but I had purchased the ebook. Autobiography by Belle, Intro by Drew Gilpin Faust and Forward by Sharon Kennedy-Nolle
Don’t visit Bellvue School (unless you have a kid that can or does go there) but their website has the history of the Van Lew property and some women that lived there.
Belle Boyd’s childhood home is still standing and is now the home of the Berkely County Historical Society in Martinsburg, West Virginia. If you go, report back on the ability for a horse to go through any of the exterior doors. Thanks!
Author Claire J. Griffin’s website, she wrote a historical fiction, A Rebellious Woman, based on Belle’s life and undertook a lot of research beforehand. She has a nice collection of documents on her site.
Whether she’s styled as Lady Elizabeth Chudleigh or Countess of Bristol or Duchess of Kingston, she should be remembered as a woman who, right or wrong, made her own choices in her world during a time when women had very few options. She dealt with all that life threw her way by being witty and charming and aware of the social norms of the day. Her story is a lesson in dealing with the consequences of one fateful decision.
Elizabeth’s trial!
**************UNDER CONSTRUCTION, COME BACK A LITTLE LATER FOR ALL THE MEDIA RECOMMENDATIONS! ************
Want to learn more about the Royal Hospital at Chelsea (or visit if Covid ever goes away)? It’s where the Chelsea Flower Show is held each year! Royal Hospital
Kingston House, formerly Chudleigh House, pretty swanky love nest!
Moving Pictures!
Ahhhh! This is a wide-open field and there are several story arcs in here to play with, Dear Movie Producer!
