Peckerwood Manor

Josephine Baker was the American-born French dancer and singer who captured the hearts of audiences in Paris during the vibrant 1920s. Renowned for her dazzling performances and charismatic stage presence, she broke barriers as the first Black woman to star in a major motion picture, paving the way for future artists. She was frequently accompanied on stage  by her beloved pet cheetah, Chiquita, who added an exceptional touch to her acts. Dressed in a sparkling diamond collar, Chiquita often stole the spotlight with her playful antics, including her thrilling leaps into the conductor’s pit, much to the delight and astonishment of the audience. Together, Josephine and Chiquita created an unforgettable and enchanting experience that resonated with the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. Photograph of Gérard de Nerval by Félix Nadar. The French Romantic poet Gérard de Nerval was quite the character, significantly influencing the later Symbolist and Surrealist movements. Picture this: Nerv...

Freda Josephine MacDonald was born in St Louis, Missouri, on June 3rd, 1906, and died on April 12th, 1975. She was a larger-than-life, vibrant woman who was extraordinarily courageous, bold, erotic, alluring, and much more than an entertainer. Her lovers were both men and women who were legendary in their own right. Some include Colette, (possibly) Frida Kahlo, Le Corbusier, and Georges Simenon. Her exotic beauty was admired by the likes of Hemingway, Matisse, Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and many other artists and writers of that time; she still inspires them today. Miss Baker (her last name came from her second husband, who she ditched but kept the name) made an enormous splash when she left America for the friendlier shores of France following another African American performer named (fascinating woman) Bricktop. The same Josephine who, as a child, was eating out of garbage cans catapulted herself into the stratosphere, becoming the first African American woman to star in a major motion p...