Casa Susanna: Exploring a Midcentury Haven for Trans Women
**Casa Susanna: The Hidden History Behind a Transgender Haven**
In the mid-20th century, a safe haven for gender exploration emerged in the Catskills, known as Casa Susanna. This resort, bearing the name of its owner Susanna Valenti, provided a refuge for those exploring their gender identity in ways not possible in their day-to-day lives. Predominantly visited by individuals who would today identify as trans women, the venue became a discreet locale for “cross-dressing,” as it was termed at the time.
The discovery of over 300 photographs at a New York flea market in 2004 by Michael Hurst and Robert Swope, former Manhattan antique dealers, unveiled the rich visual history of this gathering place. The collection, later published in a book, refrained from narrating the stories behind the images, leaving many details to speculation.
The photographs not only captured moments of gender expression in privacy but also chronicled a unique community bound by shared experiences. Over time, these images have drawn the attention of artists and historians alike, spawning exhibitions, theatrical productions, and scholarly works that delve deeper into the lives pictured.
In 2014, Harvey Fierstein’s Broadway play “Casa Valentina” brought the tale to a wider audience, inspired by these evocative images. The narrative was further echoed in the Amazon series “Transparent” and complemented by exhibitions that aimed to provide context and depth to the displayed histories.
An ongoing exhibition at The Metropolitan Museum of Art continues to shed light on Casa Susanna and its significance in transgender history, curated with care to humanize the subjects within the photographs. This exhibition, integrating diverse narratives and research, underscores the complexity of preserving such legacies and illustrates an essential part of trans history.
For those interested in uncovering more about trans histories, several trans-led archives and resources offer extensive collections, including the NYC Trans Archives and the Digital Transgender Archive. These initiatives serve not only as educational tools but also as vital efforts to preserve and honor the stories of past generations.
Casa Susanna remains a testament to those who forged paths for gender expression and community building under societal constraints, offering endless avenues for exploration and understanding within the spheres of art and humanities.