A Conversation with Irrepressible Author Emily Bingham
HerKentucky editor Heather C. Watson interviews Louisville native author and historian Emily Bingham.
was at the top of HerKentucky's list of the summer's must-read books. The story of a charismatic Jazz Age debutante who scandalized Louisville society by kissing girls at the city's most exclusive clubs while charming London's elite Bloomsbury intellectual set , Irrepressible reads like a tightly constructed novel, deftly weaving through continents and eras to tell a lovely and ultimately tragic story.The second child and only daughter of Louisville politician, judge, and publishing magnate Robert Worth Bingham, Henrietta was born in 1901 into a Kentucky of thoroughbreds, cotillions, and country clubs. Her Louisville was a world most of us have only experienced in myth -- her grandmother Henrietta Long Miller owned an imposing mansion in Old Louisville and an equally impressive summer home in Peewee Valley -- but which was often too rigid for her tastes. Upon graduation from Louisville Collegiate School, Henrietta sought refuge first at Smith College (where she began an affair with magnetic young composition professor and heiress Mina Kirstein, whose family co-founded Filene's Department Stores), then abroad, where her gracious disposition and violet eyes captivated the free-spirited intellectuals of the Bloomsbury group. Among her confidantes and lovers were Wimbledon champion Helen Hull Jacobs and actor John Houseman; her complex and co-dependent relationship with her larger-than-life father cast a decidedly Southern Gothic shadow over her life of privilege.
Henrietta Bingham (image via The Daily Beast)
Ultimately, the societal norms of Henrietta's era -- it's heartbreaking to remember that, less than a century ago, gay Americans were forced into the closet by the imminent threat of criminal charges and physical violence -- along with a lifelong history of mental health and substance abuse issues ultimately dulled Henrietta's flame. The outré flapper and muse became known as a sad and embarrassing branch of the Bingham family tree. When Henrietta's great-niece, the writer and historian Emily Bingham, announced her plans to name her daughter for this relative whom she'd never known, the story goes, her family blanched. Henrietta's name was considered an unwelcome burden to saddle upon a new generation of Binghams, so Emily started reconstructing her great-aunt's story. In a twist so fortuitous that it seems torn from the pages of a Hollywood script, Emily Bingham found two perfectly preserved trunks in the attic of her family's estate. Henrietta's story unfolded through the trunks' contents -- a glamorous story of love, heartbreak, and adventure. Emily graciously answered some questions about Irrepressible for HerKentucky readers.
Henrietta's partner, Helen Hull Jacobs
HK: What was going through your mind when you discovered Henrietta’s trunk of memories?
EB: That day in 2009 was probably one of the greatest experiences I'll ever have as a historian. I went to that attic in my childhood home very reluctantly. I had peeked into the trunk some time before and seen a lot of very old shoes, hats, that sort of thing, and it was pure duty to spend hours on a frigid January day in the uninsulated space full of soot and lit by a single dangling bulb. The house itself was empty and did not contain my happiest childhood memories (though I did love exploring the vast attic where servants had once lived and where my father and his siblings had a lot of toys and books and old saddles stored).
The first amazing find was a massive silver flask with Henrietta's initials. It holds about two fifths of bourbon. Nothing like the discreet flapper flasks you might imagine.
Then I came across the tennis outfit that turned out to have belonged to Helen Hull Jacobs, the 1930s lesbian tennis champion. Her monogrammed shirt suggested a more intimate relationship than I knew had existed between her and my great aunt, and the clothes, which I sent to the Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI led me to her diaries and scrapbooks and the "joyous and satisfying life" she shared with Henrietta in the 30s and 40s.
There were some little tiny folded papers containing white powder. I thought I'd come across some illicit drug but on closer inspection they proved to be "dog powders" for Henrietta's beloved border terriers and Pekingese!
And then, as I was about to leave for the day to relieve my babysitter, I saw that another trunk was hidden in the shadows in a corner of the garret room. At the very bottom is where I found the carefully tied up and almost perfectly-preserved collection of love letters from the sculptor Stephen Tomlin and the actor/producer John Houseman. Seeing Henrietta through their besotted eyes was one of the utter thrills of my experience with this book.
Young Henrietta. Image via The Daily Beast.
HK: Was there ever a time when you thought of turning back and keeping Henrietta’s story in the past?
EB: Absolutely. My editor didn't think the book was even possible given that I had no diaries and almost no letters from Henrietta herself. So it was almost DOA. But I pushed past that with some of the discoveries in the attic and elsewhere. There was a point when her depression and addiction melded with a sad and confusing time in my life and I wondered if the project might not make me ill.
Henrietta Bingham (image via Courier-Journal)
HK: I’m a Jazz Age buff, and a Kentucky native, so as I read, I was thinking both of the timeline of some of my favorite authors and historical figures (thinking, e.g., “OK, Scott and Zelda would have been here, or Gerald and Sara Murphy would have been here”) and of a very local timeline (saying things like “the Miller house was a block down from the Woman’s Club” or “of course they all thought Henrietta was a gracious hostess; she was a Louisville girl!”) It almost felt like Henrietta lived two completely separate lives –freedom in London and duty in Louisville. When you were working on the book, how did you feel that place played into Henrietta’s story?
EB: Henrietta felt very connected to her Kentucky and southern roots. There is a remarkable passage in the pages John Houseman cut from his memoir: see page 180-181. He was drawn in by the romance of Kentucky but later he came to see things in a more nuanced way. Here's a bit more of it: "I discovered that Louisville was, in reality, a typical middle-Western American city, indistinguishable from Indianapolis or Cincinnati, and that its main claim to national fame -- Churchill Downs, scene of the Kentucky Derby -- was ringed with factories and power plants that made it, without question, one of the most squalid hippodromes in the United States. Yet, for close to a century, from Foster to Fitzgerald, the legend of Louisville's romantic fascination had persisted--and not without reason. For in its own mysterious way the spell worked -- not only on public occasions such as the long Derby weekend, when the entire population, swollen by streams of visitors, lived in a state of collective alcoholic hallucination, but also, in a more intimate way, each time the natives came together and succeeded, through sheer emotional energy, in generating and sustaining an atmosphere of glamour and gaity that was no less magical for being achieved almost entirely with Bourbon and mirrors."
Henrietta loved her Miller grandmother. She also loved having a mansion to throw parties in. She dared to make passes at girls at the Louisville Country Club and kiss her lover in the elevator at the Pendennis. She went sledding in Cherokee Park and was pushed in a stroller in Central Park in Old Louisville. I was stunned when I figured out that for at least a year she and her father and elder brother occupied an apartment 5 doors away from me on Cherokee Road! London and Manhattan were much freer places for her, for sure, but I think she always wanted to come back and her thoroughbred breeding farm at Harmony Landing was the way she hoped to find her way in -- brave as a woman, a lesbian, and someone without direct experience in bloodstock (though her great uncle Dennis Long had two Derby winners in her childhood and that may have set her ambitions early).
Emily Bingham. Image via author's website.
HK: You do an amazing job of, as you say in the preface, not presuming to speak for Henrietta. Yet, you’re very fair with your assessments of her mental health and her likely dyslexia. Was this a hard line to walk?
It's always hard to walk the line between empathizing with your subject and wanting to protect them and being frank about their weaknesses and shortcomings. I believe that readers don't just want "models" and can appreciate lives that are as complicated and imperfect as their own.
HK: If you had the chance to talk to Henrietta, what would you say to her?
EB: Sing for me. Play the sax. Tell me the stories of the musicians you loved and who, doubtless, found you pretty interesting, too. What was your favorite bar, show, concert, player? Where did you feel most free? Who did you really love? Finally, "You are in the world again and people still find you lovable and irresistible and are so glad not to have lost you altogether."
Thanks so much to Emily for the amazing interview, and for writing the summer's best book. Check back later this week as HerKentucky takes you on a photo tour of Henrietta's Louisville.
Blogger {View} Wednesday: Mindy Rohr of Love, Lexington
Today, we're starting an exciting new feature here on HerKentucky. Blogger{View} Wednesday will introduce y'all to our favorite Kentucky bloggers -- folks who are taking the internet by storm with their style, sass, and love for the Commonwealth. today, we're talking to Mindy Rohr, the fabulous blogger behind Love, Lexington. Mindy's website reads like a love letter to Lexington -- an exploration of the latest trends in food and drink, snapshots of the city's gorgeous scenery, and tips on the greatest Kentucky-themed swag. And did I mention Mindy's stunning SJP-esque ombre hair? Thanks so much to Mindy for taking some time to chat with us!
Tell us about yourself.
Hi I’m Mindy, the blogger behind Love Lexington. I was born and raised right here in Lexington, Kentucky. I love traveling and checking off places I’ve never been (like Napa this summer!) I am a horrible cook (note why we eat out so often)…our fridge and pantry usually only have tea, Hershey Kisses (dark chocolate only please…and yes we keep them in the fridge!), and cheddar skinny pop. What else does one need to survive? Bourbon…we always have bourbon on hand. I’m obsessed with my dogs! They really are the best and bring so much happiness into our lives. My favorite food is so cliché but I’d choose pizza over everything!
How did Love, Lexington get started?
Love Lexington came to me as an idea after reading the “Love Letter to Lexington” (published in the Huffington Post and written by my friend Megan Smith). Having personally deciding a few years back to get out of my Hamburg neighborhood and experience more of the downtown Lexington, Mr. Love Lexington and I started trying all the new local restaurants, going to Thursday Night Live every week, and just making a point to be a part of the growing downtown scene. Friends had suggested that we write a food/review blog but I didn’t want to be a food critic…I’m not into bashing anyone. From all that, Love Lexington was born. Ideally it is a love letter from Lexington to its people…and a way for me to share all the things I love about our city!
What’s your favorite thing about Kentucky?
My favorite thing about Kentucky is how absolutely stunning our state is! The beautiful rolling hills, the horse farms, the historic little towns…it is simply breath taking!
What advice do you have for someone who wants to start a blog?
For someone just starting out, I would recommend using a free site like Blogger or WordPress. It can get expensive to purchase a hosting site, a url, a theme, etc. and might feel overwhelming. Once you have figured out the technical part of getting a blog up and going, then you have to find your voice. Most readers relate to bloggers who write as if they are having a conversation. There is a lot of competition in the blog world…your voice is what will make you stand out.
People will say you do not need a good camera to take good photos…but I disagree. If a blog has low quality photos I am less likely to revisit the site. If you are serious about your blog (and photos are a necessity i.e., fashion, food) then invest in a starter DSLR or a similar camera (I started with a Nikon1). Once you have the camera, you must learn how to use it…if not, you might as well keep using your iPhone because you won’t be able to tell much different.
People will say and do the most random things. They think that because you are behind a computer screen that common etiquette doesn’t apply. They say things they would never say to a person in real life. Try to not let that bother you and if you truly love blogging then Keep On, Keeping On. The haters will move on and you will find people to follow you because they are behind what you are doing.
Now the important questions:
Cats or Cards? I bleed blue!
Louisville or Lexington? Should I even answer this?? ☺ Lexington…duh!
What’s your favorite bourbon? I’m not super picky when it comes to bourbon. I like Maker’s Mark in my diet coke; Woodford, Noah’s Mill, or Four Roses small batch in my cocktails. When I’m feeling cheap it’s not below me to order a good ol’ Kentucky Tavern and diet Ale-8!
Where’s your favorite local restaurant? If I have to choose only one and only one…I couldn’t live without County Club.
What’s your favorite local shop? My favorite “local” shop has to be High Street Fly. I cannot get enough of their awesome t-shirts. I do love Morton James too…my husband and pocket book however do not☺.
Check out Love Lexington for a dose of Lexington love!
The HerKentucky Interview with Allison Tamme
Interview with Danville native Allison Tamme, wife of Denver Broncos Tight End Jacob Tamme.
Sometimes, when I'm interviewing someone, I have the fleeting thought that "I really wish I were friends with this person!" Over the past few days, I've had just that impression as I've exchanged emails with Allison Tamme, a Danville native and WKU alumna. As Allison discussed her faith and her family, it felt like I was chatting with an old friend. When the conversation turned to her husband, former Kentucky football star and current Denver Broncos tight end Jacob Tamme, Allison was humble and gracious. She mentioned his famous teammates like Peyton Manning as casually as you'd mention your husband's law partner or sales manager, and spoke of the Broncos' upcoming Super Bowl appearance with a mixture of excitement and humility.
Allison was kind enough to share the story of a mom, football wife, and cancer survivor with us. I know that, come Super Bowl Sunday, many of us here in Kentucky will be cheering on Jacob and the Wildcats Broncos! -- HCW
Jacob and Allison after the 2014 AFC Championship Game.
HK: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
AT: I grew up in Danville, Kentucky and attended Boyle County High School and Western Kentucky University. I'm your average small-town girl living in a big city! My current occupation is a stay at home mom for our two year old son, Luke. He definitely keeps me on my toes each day and brings adventure to our lives. I'm taking online classes to get my Master's in Teaching (MAT) and hope to have an elementary classroom of my own one day. I'm a self-taught seamstress and I'm currently working on a quilt for my friend and lots of dresses for my niece. I'm a Pinterest junkie and love to bake, craft, and create. Kentucky is definitely home for me and I go back to Danville every chance I get! Although Denver is beautiful, there is nothing better than the crisp air and southern hospitality of The Bluegrass State!
HK: I know that you are a thyroid cancer survivor. That had to be such a scary diagnosis to hear. What advice would you give to someone who is newly diagnosed?
AT: Today is actually the one year anniversary of my diagnosis. It was the most terrifying moment of my life. Nothing will derail your life quite like the Big "C". My advice for a newly-diagnosed cancer patient is to avoid the Web. I believe that knowledge is power, but the wrong knowledge will scare you to death. I spent the first night after my diagnosis sleeplessly reading all kinds of bogus information on message boards about my cancer. It completely freaked me out and most of the information didn't even pertain to me. I would definitely suggest that you speak to an oncologist first before you do any research on your own.
The most important thing to me during my battle with cancer was the support of my family and friends. My family is probably the most amazing family ever! I know lots of people say that, but I really do mean it! The night I was diagnosed my family and Jacob's family came straight to our house and brought dinner and ice cream and just loved on me. It meant so much! They would drop everything at a moment's notice to help us with our son, our house, laundry, food, etc. during my surgery and treatment. I can't tell you how many times our friends and members of our church told me they were praying for me... what a blessing and a honor that was. To have a wonderful support system and a strong faith in Christ completely changed my outlook during my battle with cancer.
HK: What did you learn from your battle with thyroid cancer?
AT: I wouldn't call cancer a gift, but it definitely was an educator. I have learned that the things we eat, the chemicals we use daily, and our environment can change our health immensely. I never considered myself to be an unhealthy person, but I am living a much more healthy lifestyle now. I'm doing everything I can to keep my family from having to go through what I've been through the past year. I've also learned what is most important in life. Before cancer, I would stress out about cleaning our house, finding the perfect outfits for holidays and planning our schedule down to the last minute months in advance. After cancer, all of that has changed. I'm much more relaxed because I know that what is most important are the people you love and the time we spend with them.
Jacob and Allison after a Boyle County game, their Junior year of high school.
HK: How did you and Jacob meet?
AT: Jacob and I grew up in the same hometown and we first met each other in preschool at
Lexington Avenue Baptist Church. We even have pictures together at the age of 5! We started dating the summer after our sophomore year of high school and have been together ever since. When we started dating, Jacob was playing baseball and had long curls flipping out from under his baseball cap! When football practice started later that summer we spent lots of time together because I was the manager (aka: water girl) for the Boyle County Rebels football team. Jacob would always get teased by other players and coaches that he got preferential treatment because I was his girlfriend! After high school, Jacob went to the University of Kentucky and I went to Western Kentucky University. I spent lots of time in college traveling to every football game the Cats played. We had a long distance relationship for four years and it made our relationship much stronger!
HK: Football has, obviously, played a huge role in your life as well as your husband's. Do y'all talk sports at home?
AT: Most people think football is our life, and while it is a huge part of our life, we both realize that its not the most important thing. To us, football is Jacob's profession. I know most people scoff at the thought of football being a job, but it truly is. I get offended sometimes when people say that football isn't a "real" job. Jacob works so hard! During the season he works seven days a week and leaves our house at 6am and rarely returns home before 6pm. In the NFL, it is so much more of a mental job than a physical job. The players spend much more time in meetings and learning plays and defenses than they do on field. With that said, we do talk sports at home, but it's not what you would expect. I always ask him if he has any funny stories from the day and he will sometimes show me a great play he made at practice on their film, but other than that our talking mostly revolves around Luke.
The Tammes at Bronco Training Camp
HK: What is the mood like at your house going into the Super Bowl? How excited is Luke?
AT: This is our second trip to the Super Bowl and it is just as, if not more exciting than the first! After the AFC Championship win, it was really surreal that the Super Bowl trip was really happening. Then Monday afternoon hits and the reality of planning the logistics of the trip hit you in the face! I'm not going to lie, it is stressful to plan flights, hotels and tickets for the big game, but it's ALL such a blessing! The players left for New York on Sunday so right now Luke and I are anxiously awaiting our trip on Thursday. Luke is very, very excited! He LOVES football and plays with Jacob nearly every day! Luke always says, "Daddy, I'll be Peyton and you be the touchdown guy!" We are hoping that his imagination comes to life on Sunday!
Allison and Jacob after the 2007 Blue-White Game
HK: I've read that the former Wildcats- Wesley Woodyard, Danny Trevathan and Jacob -- are wearing UK blue in practice for The Big Game. Is it good to have a little bit of the Wildcat Nation with you guys?
AT: I haven't heard about them wearing blue for practice, but you can guarantee they will be supporting the Big Blue Nation in New York. We absolutely love having lots of Wildcats out here in Denver!
Champ Kelley is in the front office as well, so four Wildcats in all! Peyton, Britton (our punter) and Robert Ayres (defensive end) are all Tennessee Volunteers so the Cats always like to take jabs at them! It's all in good fun except for that one Saturday each fall when they play each other!
Thanks so much to Allison Tamme for taking the time to chat with us today. I know I speak for so many Kentucky fans in wishing Jacob and the Broncos the best of luck in the Super Bowl this weekend!
The HerKentucky Interview with Adrienne Jones, Founder of coveRumps
You know when you see something that is so brilliant you wonder why you didn't think of it? That's exactly what happened when I saw coveRumps by Kentuckian Adrienne Jones. They literally cover your rump when you want to layer or get extra length from your top. They're super cute and can be worn so many ways from workout to weekend. Check out our interview with Adrienne below, and then enter to win your own coveRumps!
HK: Tell us a little bit about yourself? Are you native Kentuckian?
AJ: I am a native Kentuckian, born in Pineville. I currently reside in Lexington where I moved after graduating from Eastern Kentucky University. I am a wife and mother to two beautiful daughters. As long as I can remember, I’ve wanted to have a career in the fashion industry and own my own business. I still can’t believe I’m finally doing both & I couldn’t be happier.
HK: What exactly is a coveRump? What inspired you to create them?
AJ: A coveRump is a layering piece for women. I like to refer to it as an accessory, or ASS-essory! It functions in so many great ways, not only by helping women achieve a layered look without all the bulk, but also provides just the right amount of coverage to the rump area when wearing leggings or workout pants with tops that are a little too short. coveRumps complete an outfit, by adding dimension and color. They are fun, fashionable and functional! I was inspired to design coveRumps from a need of my own. I was tired of tunics and wanted to wear shirts with my leggings, but found them to be just too short, making me feel self-conscious and too exposed. I just knew there had to be a product already on the market, but found there was not. It didn’t take long to get my business plan together and turn my idea into a business.
HK: What’s the best part about being a business owner?
AJ: The best part about being a business owner is the freedom. I make all the decisions that work for me and my business; I love that! I also love having enough freedom in my day to pick my children up from school, as well as attend school parties. I absolutely love being able to surprise my kids once a week and join them for lunch… priceless.
HK: What advice would you give to Kentucky women wanting to start their own business?
AJ: My advice to all women is to go for it! You only live once. Believe in yourself and have passion about what you’re doing. The passion will drive you through the struggles, and there will be struggles in starting a new business. Keep a positive attitude, even when facing obstacles… tomorrow is another day.
HK: What can we look forward to in 2014 for coveRumps?
AJ: 2014 is going to be a great year for coveRumps! I’ve been testing out a new avenue: in-home trunk shows. Our test markets have proven successful and we are very excited to add this fun way to shop. We are also attending more retail shows in 2014; check our website, www.coverumps.com and our coveRumps Facebook & Twitter accounts for event information. I’ve been sourcing new fabrics also, we want to focus on some fun prints to add into the line. I’m excited about the potential 2014 holds for us.
Quickfire Round:
- Bourbon, martinis, or beer? Martinis
- One bucket list item: Visit Paris, France
- Favorite way to spend a Friday night: My favorite way to spend Friday night is at home eating pizza and watching a great Disney movie with my little family. We do this every Friday night and it never gets old.
- Celebrity/Personality you’d most love to see wearing coveRumps? Well, I’m not going to be picky… I would LOVE for any celeb/personality to be seen wearing coveRumps. But if I did have to choose one, I would say I would love to see it on Bethenny Frankel or Kelly Ripa. Both are strong working mothers with talk shows that reach millions.
Giveaway:
Want some coveRumps of your own? Enter below to win 1 of 2 coveRumps. Winners can choose their preferred style. Enter before midnight, 12/21/13.
The HerKentucky Interview with Kijsa Housman
Kijsa Housman has been taking Etsy by storm with her burlap pillows, chalkboards, and Verses of the Week. Of course, everyone here at HerKentucky first noticed all the My Old Kentucky home pieces that now grace every single one of our Christmas lists!
Best part? She lives in Paducah and we are totally friends! So, I sat down (actually we stood because that's how crazy busy she is!) with the incredibly talented Kijsa for a quick chat about art, Kentucky, and dual citizenship.
HK: How long have you been doing this?
KH: This art thing? 20 years! I started with large scale murals and a lot of theatrical design. My first studio was in Lexington and I was there for eight years. Some notable projects I did were The State Theater - that was a 10,000 square foot mural I did by myself on 30 feet of scaffolding and it took several months. That was a state commission. I did a painting for The Children’s Theater, The Children’s Hospital, the PBS affiliates, and PBS products.
That morphed in to doing residential murals as well. I did a combination of that. We moved to Paducah about 10 years ago.
HK: Are you from here?
KH: I’m originally from Dallas. I’m a Texas girl. My husband is from here and my children are from all over! One was born in Lexington. One was born in Paducah. One was born in Seoul.
HK: We’ll give you a pass! Did you study art or are you self-taught?
KH: I'm classically trained. Undergraduate BFA in painting then graduate degree in art history then moved to Kentucky. I supported my husband through school on art! That’s pretty much all I’ve done professionally is paint.
HK: When did you start doing the Kentucky pillows and Old Kentucky Home signs?
KH: I moved into the decorative aspects here and there just as filler in between. When you’re the sole income, you get real creative as an artist. I really started emphasizing a lot of the Kentucky stuff in the last few years.
My motto is accessible art and I think the decorative arts is great for that.
HK: Do consider yourself a Kentuckian after 20 years?
KH: You’re asking a Texan that! I will claim dual citizenship.
HK: I know the Verses of the Week are a huge project for you right now. Tell us about that.
KH: The Verse of the Week I started doing a little over two years ago and that has become a very signature thing. It started with a gift for a friend - coming up with something that would be useful and beautiful and inspiring all at the same time. It’s really turned into something that I consider more than work. It’s a ministry.
I’ve had so many people tell me that the simple act of putting the verse on the board made it intentional. I even offer my signature writing on a decal so if you already had a chalkboard you can put it on there. It’s the simple act of making it intentional.
HK: Any advice to aspiring artists?
KH: Lots of caffeine. No sleep. And work 28 hours a day!
Kijsa is giving away a Verses of the Week vinyl so you can create intentional art in your own home!
Enter to win using the Rafflecopter widget below. The contest runs through midnight on Wednesday, December 18th.
Raising Ms. President: My Chat with Kiley Parker
Turning political dreams into actionable goals.
I have always planned on running for public office. I grew up with fantastic role models of female leadership and was incredibly blessed to work for Hillary Clinton's first presidential campaign. Running for office always seemed like something I could and should do.
And yet, I am the exception to the rule.
As Heather wrote last week, the lack of female representation is a huge problem in the United States. Documentary filmmaker Kiley Lane Parker is hoping to address that problem with her new film Raising Ms. President.
I sat down with Kiley to talk about female leadership, running for office, and her film.
If you're interested in supporting the production of this important project, please visit the film's Kickstarter campaign. For as little $15 you can see your name in the credits! You'll be seeing my name in the credits.
And who knows? Thanks to Kiley's inspiration maybe you'll see my name on a campaign poster sooner rather than later...
~ Sarah Stewart Holland