The Homes (Life at the Homes)

By: Researched and hosted by Andrew Newell and Karen Thalacker. Sound edited by Robert Newell.
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  • Summary

  • 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.
    © 2024 The Homes (Life at the Homes)
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Episodes
  • Listen to the trailer for The Homes!

    Listen to the trailer for The Homes!
    Nov 5 2021

    Join us as we journey through life at the Homes during the year 1929.

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    2 mins
  • Episode 1 - Welcome to The Homes

    Episode 1 - Welcome to The Homes
    Nov 5 2021

    Welcome to the Homes! In Episode 1, you meet Rev. William Klein, his wife Emma, and their 5 children. In 1921, the Kleins moved from the plains of North Dakota to the bustling river town of Muscatine, Iowa, to take over the leadership of the Homes. For the next 20 years, the Kleins and a small group of workers dedicated their lives to turning an institution into a home for hundreds of children and elderly residents.

    Mother and son Karen Thalacker and Andrew Newell (the Kleins' great-granddaughter and great-great-grandson) share how and why they started on this journey. Join them as we begin our journey through the year 1929.

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    21 mins
  • Episode 2 - January of 1929

    Episode 2 - January of 1929
    Nov 5 2021

    Welcome to January of 1929! Rev. and Mrs. Klein and their family have been at the Homes for 7 years. Their youngest daughter Em was just 9 months old when they moved to Muscatine in 1921 and her recollections provide important insight into everyday life.

    The monthly newsletter called the Messenger kept individuals and organizations updated on the needs of the Homes. January's newsletter was full of New Year's resolutions -- were people in 1929 any different than the people of today?

    As the new year begins, the Homes was feeling the heavy burden of repaying the debt on the new girls' dormitory.
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    22 mins

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