Brooksville, Fla. — Chinsegut Hill in Hernando County holds the key to more than a century of women’s history.
“The more you understand Chinsegut, the more you understand Hernando County,” said former Brooksville Mayor Natalie Kahler.
Kahler said she's left in awe everytime she visits.
“It’s just a place that makes you take a deep breath and relax,” Kahler said.
She loves the beautiful landscape, but it’s the history that keeps amazing her.
“A lot of things we take for granted to this day like the right to vote, the right to work in a safe environment, all of that comes down to the people who lived in this house,” Kahler said.
It was the women who lived in the house on Chinsegut Hill that were the driving force for change.
“It shows me that one persona can make a difference.” Kahler said.
Elizabeth Robins bought the place in the early 1900s. She was a writer and an actress who fought for women’s voting rights in the United States and the United Kingdom.
“She lived a really fascinating life,” Kahler said.
Kahler said she found it odd when there was no mention of Robins or any other woman in what was considered one of the county’s most comprehensive history books.
After noticing the discrepancy, Kahler felt compelled to share the untold story of Robins. Kahler said she took it upon herself to go to New York University to find Elizabeth’s diaries, stored in archives there.
“Oh my, 100% worth it,” Kahler said.
Kahler brought back photocopies of Elizabeth’s diary entries, including her most personal thoughts and intriguing stories. One of those stories includes the time when Robins wanted to find out more about human trafficking.
“She goes undercover in England as a Salvation Army worker to start interview the girls that are sex workers to find out how they got there, if they wanted to be there,” Kahler said.
Kahler shares those stories in her podcast E.R. Diary.
“She wanted people to see the humanity in every person and I think when you see the humanity in your adversary, you are a little more willing to come up with a solution,” Kahler said.
Kahler feels a strong connection to the history at Chinsegut Hill.
“My mom calls it the Downton Abbey of America,” she said.
Delving through centuries of untold stories, Kahler said she’s discovered the kind of person she wants to be.
