“One Night Stand Happening”

The “One Night Stand” series transforms our understanding of historic house museums through immersive overnight experiences. Rather than accepting these spaces as public venues filled with decorative arts and artifacts, I seek a deeper, more intimate connection by living within their walls. I create a vital bridge between past and present by sleeping in historic bedrooms and using period furniture as the original residents did. This approach breaks down the artificial barrier between “museum” and “home,” revealing layers of understanding that conventional daytime tours simply cannot capture.

The true power of these overnight stays lies in their ability to uncover how these spaces shaped their inhabitants’ daily rhythms, relationships, and behaviors. As I move through these homes in the quiet hours, I experience firsthand how they functioned as dynamic spaces where social interactions flourished, and political discussions echoed through the halls. This hands-on immersion transforms our perspective, moving beyond the traditional view of historic houses as static collections to understand them as vibrant spaces where life unfolded in complexity.

Far from being exercises in privilege, these overnight experiences serve as a democratic window into the past, offering insights previously inaccessible to the public. I aim to share these intimate encounters with everyone through my detailed accounts, translating the private moments into shared experiences that enrich our collective understanding. These stories become a bridge not just between past and present but between all who seek to understand these historic spaces as true homes where life, in all its complexity, once flourished. By documenting and sharing these experiences, I transform what might appear as exclusive access into a communal exploration of our shared heritage.

If you have a suggestion for a “One-Night Stand”™, please contact Twistedpreservation@gmail.com