Meet Me at the Wall

Episode three begins with a call to Barry Cressman, a longtime Titusville resident and former Presbyterian pastor who knew Anne's grandparents Ben and Florence Crafford. Barry recalls Florence shopping in Manhattan during the 1929 crash, describes Titusville's Depression-era bust and WPA projects, a local bank-run story, and the town's later booms in steel and plastics before a 1990s downturn and...

This Meet Me at the Wall episode spotlights Florence "Fleur" and her best friend Shiny through Anne Goodwin's 1934–35 sketches and Betsy's readings of Shiny's original letters. Anne portrays Fleur settling in Charlottesville while Benj attends UVA law school, hosting a large cocktail party, and growing concerned about Shiny's health; a second sketch dramatizes Fleur driving over winter mountains w...

The hosts of Meet Me at the Wall return for season two, thank listener Billy in their first call-in interview, and discuss plans to blend dramatized sketches with original letters as the story moves into the 1930s and 1940s. Anne shares a new sketch set in 1931 about Florence and Ben being invited to fly with barnstorming aviators Hugh Herndon and Clyde Pangborn, then a 1944 postscript about their...

Short trailer announcing the launch of Season Two on May 31, 2026!

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 r...

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 recoun...

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 Connecti...

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 1920...

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, t...

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 Flore...

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 tea...

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...

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 highl...

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 ti...

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...