As I prepare for tonight’s New Year celebrations, I have repeatedly been drawn to contact you. I apologize for my disappearing act. How are you?  My investigations dropped off toward the year’s conclusion and got increasingly difficult following the loss of friends, compounded by still more deaths. Regrettably, we are all familiar with this experience.

 

 

 

No longer frozen, no longer moving slowly, I have felt a resurgence this week and am eager to return to my deep architectural digs. However, circumstances may vary.  I have learned some things in my absence. Taking the break from social media has felt good. We may abandon social media to concentrate together on the studies we are passionate about and engage in discussions we like without the need for justification. Although I have run a tight ship on FB, it has progressively become problematic and detrimental. It is not a place for artists or research. It appears the platform promotes and therefore shapes (forces) entry-level postings and superficial exchange. I am still muddling through these thoughts. However, these shifts should not impact you, my genuine supporters.

 

Onward. We’ve got a holiday upon us.

 

 

Big News: Some wonderful someone bought the 6300 Dodge Street mansion and is making positive changes. The delicious entry gate of 6300 Dodge, long time understated view, now has new twin brick columns standing duty at an angle from the divine Fairacres Road (64th Street) off of Dodge Street. A poured drive and footlights are just the beginning. Stay tuned. This iconic 6300 Dodge home is directly north of UNO. To read its history: New Omaha: Tracking 6300 Dodge Street.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought you’d enjoy a little music. Here’s smooth Kay Kyser with What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve?

 

 

 

 

I do not recall recognizing the significance of the New Year’s Day celebration as a custom until I encountered numerous accounts of open house celebrations in Omaha between the 1900s to 1930s. I just happened upon these casual gatherings because they were listed in the papers. Certainly, it was not an Omaha-specific phenomenon; January 1st signified a tradition of daytime gatherings featuring beverages, a light repast, confections, punches, or hors d’oeuvres throughout the United States. During my study of the Elmwood cabin (article one: Mysteries of Omaha: The Log Cabin and the Jones Street Bridge and article two: Mysteries of Omaha: The Log Cabin and the Jones Street Bridge Part Two) I learned it was commonplace to visit many gatherings on January 1st, moseying from friends’ home to home. In former decades, these private gatherings were ostensibly open to the public, allowing strangers to attend, similar to a garage sale, but for the purpose of drinking and socializing. Great way to meet folks, (read– spy on incredible homes) and then wander off to another party. The open houses for invited guests during opera season, dances and other larger events seemed to encourage moving from home to home as well.

 

Open house parties were popular in my family and it warms me to think of my days still living in the family home. However this year Mr. and Miss Cassette will have a private party of two and make do with a roaring fire, pizza, pie and movies.

 

 

I estimate this photo was taken in 1909-1910. (I began recalculating in the middle of the night.) This is actually my great grandfather with his wild, beautiful pals. It is popular now to say that everyone looked “old” in the olden days but this is proof positive that people have always been much as they are now when caught in the act of casualness. I won’t point out my great grandfather as I’d like to remain on the downlow with my identity. I LOVE everything about this image and would die to be a part of this crazy, tipsy day hang out!

 

 

 

Basement bar of Omahan Charles Reed’s home. Photo by Bostwick and Frodhardt. Durham collection. 1940. I have written maybe too much and too often of my obsession for the basement bar and rumpus room. I need to recreate this space in this next year. We’ve already got the red linoleum. Godspeed.

 

 

 

 

1920’s day party.

 

 

 

 

1950’s advertisement. The quintessential card table. Every family had one in their basement. In fact I just found a family Thanksgiving photo earlier today where my cousins and I were seated at the kids’ card table for dinner.

 

 

 

Call it a day.

 

 

Here is the lovely June Christy singing Sorry to See You Go, an interesting reflection for a challenging year.

 

 

 

 

 

1960s house party fun.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wishing you all the best. I hope you are all well…and possibly some of you have New Year’s Day gatherings today! Cheers!

 

Thank you, thank you everyone for reading my articles and supporting me. It means so much to share this obsession with houses and their people with all of you. I welcome your feedback and comments. I also welcome your kind corrections. We know more together. You can keep up with my latest investigations without even leaving your inbox, by “following” My Omaha Obsession. You will get sent email updates every time I have written a new mystery article. Thank you Omaha friends.

 

© Miss Cassette and myomahaobsession, 2025. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Miss Cassette and myomahaobsession with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.