Grandma's Silver

Allie Kochinsky

Grandma’s Silver explores the culture of everyday life, from design and interiors to food, tradition, and the rituals that shape how we live. Hosted by Allie Kochinsky, each episode features thoughtful, approachable conversations with designers, historians, and tastemakers, uncovering the meaning behind timeless style and enduring traditions. New episodes every Wednesday.

  1. Inside the Flagler Museum: Palm Beach's Gilded Age History

    17H AGO

    Inside the Flagler Museum: Palm Beach's Gilded Age History

    “When you step into Whitehall, you’re not just walking through a house—you’re stepping into a vision of what America could be: a place of beauty, innovation, and possibility.” — Campbell Mobley What can a single house reveal about the creation of an entire destination? In this episode of Grandma's Silver, I speak with Campbell Mobley of the Flagler Museum, the Gilded Age estate of Henry Flagler in Palm Beach, Florida. Completed in 1902, Whitehall was once described as "more wonderful than any palace in Europe," and it remains one of the most important surviving Gilded Age homes in the United States. Today the museum preserves not only the architecture and interiors of the house, but also the broader story of how Flagler's railroad and hotel ventures transformed Florida's east coast and helped establish Palm Beach as a winter resort destination. In our conversation, Campbell, the museum's Chief Curator, shares how the museum interprets this history for modern audiences, what visitors often find most surprising when they walk through the house, and how historic spaces like Whitehall help us understand the social life, design sensibilities, and ambitions of the Gilded Age. We discuss: The creation of Whitehall and its remarkable architectureHenry Flagler's role in shaping Palm Beach and Florida tourismHow the Flagler Museum brings Gilded Age history to life todayWhy historic houses continue to resonate with modern visitorsFor anyone who loves design history, Palm Beach culture, or the stories behind America's great houses, this episode offers a fascinating look inside one of the country's most iconic historic homes. RESOURCES: Plan your visit to the Flagler Museum, check out their exhibitions, or view upcoming events here.Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook. They're also on YouTube! If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

    45 min
  2. Antiques, Preservation & Material Culture with Lisa Minardi

    MAR 11

    Antiques, Preservation & Material Culture with Lisa Minardi

    “You have their chair, you have their bed, you’ve got their desk — it’s a tangible human connection.” — Lisa Minardi, Executive Director, Historic Trappe How do historic objects help us understand the past? In this episode of Grandma's Silver, Allie Kochinsky speaks with Lisa Minardi, Executive Director of Historic Trappe, about the role of material culture in preserving the nation's history. Historic Trappe stewards several important historic properties connected to the Muhlenberg family, including the Speaker's House, as well as the Muhlenberg House and the Dewees Tavern, home to the organization's Center for Pennsylvania German Studies. Through exhibitions, research, and hands-on preservation programs, Historic Trappe helps visitors understand the daily lives, craftsmanship, and cultural traditions that shaped early Pennsylvania.  We also discuss the launch of the inaugural Pennsylvania Antiques Show, a new antiques show bringing together dealers, collectors, and historians to celebrate Pennsylvania decorative arts and craftsmanship.  In this conversation, we explore: What antiques reveal about everyday life in early AmericaThe importance of preservation educationHow antique shows help sustain collecting and scholarshipFor collectors, history lovers, and anyone fascinated by historic craftsmanship, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how objects, architecture, and landscapes preserve the stories of the past. RESOURCES Visit the Historic Trappe here. Follow along on Instagram and/or Facebook.Grab your tickets to the Pennsylvania Antiques Show! If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

    41 min
  3. Historic Garden Week: Spring, Hospitality & Tradition (Part I)

    FEB 25

    Historic Garden Week: Spring, Hospitality & Tradition (Part I)

    “It’s a Virginia tradition of graciousness and hospitality — every visitor is welcomed with a big smile and genuine happiness to see them.” — Virginia Gillick Each April, as Virginia comes into bloom, a remarkable tradition unfolds. During the third week of the month, private homes and gardens, many rarely open to the public, welcome visitors in celebration of beauty, place, and history. In this episode of Grandma's Silver, I sit down with Karen Ellsworth, Director of Historic Garden Week, and Virginia Gillock, Board Member and Chair, to discuss the origins and evolution of this nearly century-old tradition. We explore the Garden Club of Virginia's founding vision, why the event has endured for generations, the deeply place-based nature of the tours across Virginia, how gardens tell stories that architecture alone cannot, and what visitors can expect this year.  From floral arrangements and front-door hospitality to the anticipation of spring across the Commonwealth, this conversation highlights what makes Historic Garden Week so special, and why 2026 marks a particularly meaningful moment in its history. RESOURCES: Learn more about Historic Garden Week here, including how to purchase tickets.Follow along on Facebook and/or Instagram to stay updated on events, photographs, and more.Interested in the book recommended by today's guests? Snag your copy of Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nature. If you enjoy Grandma’s Silver, follow the podcast and share this episode with a friend who loves heritage, design, and timeless living.

    43 min

Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Grandma’s Silver explores the culture of everyday life, from design and interiors to food, tradition, and the rituals that shape how we live. Hosted by Allie Kochinsky, each episode features thoughtful, approachable conversations with designers, historians, and tastemakers, uncovering the meaning behind timeless style and enduring traditions. New episodes every Wednesday.

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