The Homes (Life at the Homes)

The true stories of life at a Lutheran institution housing orphans and the elderly in rural Iowa on the eve of the Great Depression. Almost lost to the passage of time, these stories of sorrow and joy, compassion and cooperation have been uncovered and can now be shared with you. Join mother and son hosts Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell as you learn about life at the German Lutheran Orphans and Old Folks Home - or as it was commonly called The Homes. Follow The Homes on Instagram at lifeatthehomes for photographs and additional content.

The Homes (Life at the Homes) is a history podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 28 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts The Homes (Life at the Homes), a history show with 28 episodes published.

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  Episode #9

  Season 2: July of 1930

  Nov 17, 202543 minS2

  <p>Welcome to July of 1930! It's summertime at the Homes and that means a 4th of July celebration and lots of visitors. You'll learn about a book that was used to plan outdoor activities and about the children's participation in a promotion from the Eastman-Kodak company. Even in the midst of all the fun, young and old are canning garden produce for the long winter. On a somber note, Muscatine is on the verge of a rabies outbreak and in a few months will be described by an official as "rotten with rabies." Dogs like Adolph (from our June of 1930...

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  Episode #7

  Season 2: May of 1930

  May 30, 202540 minS2

  <p>Welcome to May of 1930! As Iowa leads the way in introducing night baseball, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Bill is argued in Washington, DC. On Burlington Road, money is tight but their love of music is always a welcome distraction. Throughout the years, a variety of individuals and music ensembles performed including an opera singer and a traveling troupe of German men who looked like they stepped right out of the Swiss Alps! A special treat was a violin performance from a former resident of the boys' home. You'll hear a wonderfully detailed description of the children's schedules and responsibilities...

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  Episode #8

  Season 2: June of 1930

  May 30, 202557 minS2

  <p>Welcome to June of 1930! Iowa is celebrating its national champion but June at the Homes means only one thing ... the annual Orphans Day celebration. The weather limits attendance in the morning but the afternoon was a success. Andy shows his range of hosting abilities in this episode -- he recites his great-grandfather's Orphans Day sermon from 1939, does his best "Ben Stein" to summarize the Smoot-Hawley tariff bill, and even gives voice to a famous Muscatine dog who starred in a local play -- making Karen laugh out loud. We tip our hats to the Muscatine Journal in this episode...

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  Episode #6

  Season 2: April of 1930

  Apr 1, 202549 minS2

  <p>Welcome to April of 1930! While the first day of the month is full of light-hearted pranks, the mood turns more serious as President Hoover's first term is evaluated and the 1930 census kicks off. The world is changing -- whether it's demographics as revealed by the information collected by the census enumerators or public opinions about those in need -- the Homes is impacted by an ever-evolving society. We dig deeper into the question we've been asked so often: why was there a need for orphanages during this time in our history? We'll also hear about Confirmation festivities and Holy...

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  Episode #4

  Season 2: March of 1930

  Feb 9, 202548 minS2

  <p>Welcome to March of 1930! March came in like a lion for the citizens of Muscatine and there was certainly a lot happening including news of the death of Mira Hershey.  Ms. Hershey, daughter of lumber baron Benjamin Hershey, had generously donated her father's home on Burlington Road following his death to Rev. Reinemund so that he could start the orphanage. Learn how she left Muscatine and made her mark in Hollywood! You'll also hear about how a friend of the Homes, Mr. Liebbe, donated his services to assist with the annual slaughter of the hogs and cattle.</p>

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