This episode came from an idea in a book I saw at Novel, our wonderful locally owned and operated bookstore. While browsing in the Local Memphis section, I saw this book, “Memphis Castles - Former Homes and Stories of Prominent Memphians.” And as I was flipping through the pages, I saw my sister’s house. I immediately … Continue reading Season 2: Episode Seven: Lorenzo Pacini & Pee Wee’s Saloon
Equality
Season 2: Episode Six: 1969 Miss Memphis Review
We have to thank a supporter/friend that we’ve yet to meet, Jerry, who sent us kind of a suggestion for this topic. On one of his daily walks, he took a picture of a plaque on the side of the Evergreen Theatre. It was commemorating the 1969 Miss Memphis Review pageant. Having not ever heard … Continue reading Season 2: Episode Six: 1969 Miss Memphis Review
Season 2: Episode Four: History of Memphis Breweries
Most Memphians will agree on one fact about their home city. Memphis has great tasting water. The water supply in Memphis comes from natural reservoirs hundreds of feet below the ground, and most of that water lies in sand aquifers that sit between layers of clay. The sand acts as a natural filter, slowly removing … Continue reading Season 2: Episode Four: History of Memphis Breweries
Season 2: Episode One: Alice and Freda
“The day of our wedding was set, and then not all the powers in the world could have separated us. It was our intention to leave here and go to St. Louis, and I would have been Freda’s slave. I would have devoted my whole life to making her happy---But when Freda returned my engagement … Continue reading Season 2: Episode One: Alice and Freda
Episode Nine: Ratifying the 19th Amendment
It was August 18, 1920 and America had only secured 35 states that were FOR ratifying the 19th Amendment. Tennessee was the last state that was going to vote and it wasn’t looking good. They called it the “War of the Roses” with pro ratifiers, aka “suffs” donning yellow roses and the antis donning red … Continue reading Episode Nine: Ratifying the 19th Amendment
Episode Five: Ida B. Wells
Ida Bell Wells was born July 16, 1862 in Holly Springs, MS. Her parents, James and Lizzie Wells, were enslaved in Holly Springs when she was born. Her father was the son of a white man and one of his slaves named Peggy. At age 18, James went to Holly Springs to learn carpentry and … Continue reading Episode Five: Ida B. Wells
Episode Four: Firsts in Memphis
This episode is about Firsts in Memphis. It occurred to me, after several tours of our favorite place, Elmwood Cemetery, that our city has numerous things that happened for the first time, here in our city. We’re going to talk about a few of them today. We’ll revisit this topic periodically, we’ve got a few more … Continue reading Episode Four: Firsts in Memphis