In the late 1950s, when public cross-dressing was a criminal offence in most American states, a picturesque wooden house buried in the vast surrounds of the Catskill Mountains stood as a safe haven for individuals who had previously been forced to live a double life. Casa Susanna, named after its owner Susanna Valenti, was less a commune than a weekend getaway destination, where visitors could indulge in a variety of activities (such as gardening or make-up tutorials) whilst exploring and expressing their gender identities without fear of judgement or the threat of violence.