Casa Susanna (event)
Casa d'Eon and Casa Susanna were two upstate New York resort properties owned and operated by Susanna and Marie Valenti of New York City. These properties hosted recurring and special-occasion TG Community events during the late 1950s and 1960s which were known colloquially as Casa Susanna. These get-togethers appear to be the first non-exclusive TG events in North America.
Casa d'Eon was an aging resort complex in the Catskill Mountains in the popular vacation community sometimes known as the "Borscht Belt." It was originally a country estate that was expanded into a resort with the addition of several detached private bungalows and other various outbuildings. The complex was named after Chevalier d'Eon, a well-known crossdresser of historical note.
Casa d'Eon was advertised in Transvestia and other similar publications as a safe place for crossdressers to be themselves.
In 1961, Susanna, along with Virginia Prince and a few other correspondents became entangled in a postal investigation having to do with alleged obscene material being exchanged in the mail. Susanna escaped charges, but unfortunately Virginia did not.
The resort was sold after the 1963 season due to cash flow issues.
In 1964 the couple bought another resort property somewhat west of the original Casa d'Eon. This resort was located in Greene County, on the edge of the village of Hunter. This second resort was officially dubbed Casa Susanna.
Both resorts were patronized by members of the general public as well as crossdressers.
Casa Susanna events frequently had 50-70 in attendance. Virginia Prince, noted TG author and activist, was one of the regular attendees.
In the early 2000s, a collection of photographs taken at various Casa Susanna events surfaced at a flea marked in New York City. These were published in Casa Susanna (book), which is currently in publication. The Casa Susanna events and the book formed the basis of Casa Valentina, a stage play by Harvey Fierstein.
See Also
Casa Susanna (book) Book of found photos of Casa Susanna
Casa Valentina Play by Harvey Fierstein based on Casa Susanna
