Birmingham Uncovered

Florence "Twink" Willett is a Perfect Size 12

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2171681/open_sms] Did you know that Birmingham was among the first cities in Michigan to have a female mayor? In her 1960 acceptance speech, Florence “Twink” Willitt stated “I hope to do a good job. I want the women in the community to be proud of the manner in which I perform- and the men too.”  And while she sought to do that good job for the city, the media often paid far more attention to her appearance, clothing and family life. Far more than they did for her male peers anyhow. The story of Florence Harris Baker Willet is the culmination of a journey started by women in Birmingham before women even had the right to vote. But its also the start of another one that led to greater representation for women on Birmingham’s city commission, various boards and leadership roles within city hall. To access a full episode transcript as well as to access additional material, check out our website. [https://cms7.revize.com/revize/birmingham/about_birmingham/city_history/birmingham_museum/florence_twink_willett_is_a_perfect_size_12.php] For questions, concerns, corrections or episode suggestions please reach out to us at museum@bhamgov.org. Special thanks to the Birmingham Area Cable Board for PEG grant funding that made this podcast possible. Also thanks to past and present staff of the Birmingham Museum, and our amazing volunteers.

James and Jim Peabody: From Farm to Table

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2171681/open_sms] Last month we covered one half of the Birmingham Peabody story with Lyman Peabody and his dry goods store. This month we are diving into James and his descendants, notably Jim Peabody… he of the Peabody’s restaurant fame. If you are a long time Birmingham resident or you know one, you’ve probably heard all about the restaurant. Let's dive into the farm that became a grocery store that became a restaurant. To access a full episode transcript as well as to access additional material, check out our website [https://www.bhamgov.org/about_birmingham/city_history/birmingham_museum/james_and_jim_peabody_from_farm_to_table.php]. For questions, concerns, corrections or episode suggestions please reach out to us at museum@bhamgov.org. Special thanks to the Birmingham Area Cable Board for PEG grant funding that made this podcast possible. Also thanks to past and present staff of the Birmingham Museum, and our amazing volunteers.

Lyman Peabody and the Japanese Tea Craze

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2171681/open_sms] What's in a name? Quite a lot if you are a Peabody in Birmingham. There's been many businesses and one still standing fancy house associated with the name. In this episode, we start at the beginning of the Peabody story in Birmingham and the dry goods store that one of the Peabody brothers established in the 1870s. Just why was Lyman importing Japanese tea a big deal and did he have anything to do with Peabody's Restaurant? You'll have to listen to find out. To access a full episode transcript as well as to access additional material, check out our website [https://cms7.revize.com/revize/birmingham/about_birmingham/city_history/birmingham_museum/lyman_peabody_and_the_japanese_tea_craze.php]. For questions, concerns, corrections or episode suggestions please reach out to us at museum@bhamgov.org. Special thanks to the Birmingham Area Cable Board for PEG grant funding that made this podcast possible. Also thanks to past and present staff of the Birmingham Museum, and our amazing volunteers.

Ruth Shain Touches Grass

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2171681/open_sms] The near constant gloom of a Birmingham winter can be a lot for anyone. On her first winter in Birmingham in 1918, Ruth recalled “I just felt I couldn’t live-maybe I’d just die, because the winter was so hard”. But she lived, and threw herself into civic projects to keep the blues at bay. The projects she undertook changed Birmingham forever and we are still reaping the rewards. To access a full episode transcript as well as to access additional material, check out our website. [https://cms7.revize.com/revize/birmingham/about_birmingham/city_history/birmingham_museum/ruth_shain_touches_grass.php] For questions, concerns, corrections or episode suggestions please reach out to us at museum@bhamgov.org. Special thanks to the Birmingham Area Cable Board for PEG grant funding that made this podcast possible. Also thanks to past and present staff of the Birmingham Museum, and our amazing volunteers.

Edward Crawford and the Black Hand

Send a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2171681/open_sms]                 Edward Crawford was 15 years old when he was shot and killed the evening of September 6, 1916 while walking home from a store in Birmingham after it closed with the store owner, a clerk and two of his friends. The shocking murder caused a stir in the village of Birmingham, which didn’t have a lot of violent crime. And it rippled out and caused a stir throughout both Oakland County and the whole metro Detroit area due to the store owner’s identity and possible connections to a violent extortion scheme targeting this ethnic community. Just who was Edward Crawford and did the infamous Black Hand kill him? To access a full episode transcript as well as to access additional material, check out our website. [https://cms7.revize.com/revize/birmingham/about_birmingham/city_history/birmingham_museum/edward_crawford_and_the_black_hand.php] For questions, concerns, corrections or episode suggestions please reach out to us at museum@bhamgov.org. Special thanks to the Birmingham Area Cable Board for PEG grant funding that made this podcast possible. Also thanks to past and present staff of the Birmingham Museum, and our amazing volunteers.