In the 1950s, Mauch Chunk was fading - until newspaperman Joe Boyle met Jim Thorpe’s widow and a wild reinvention began. Our rebranded podcast with new co-host Molly Keilty follows the town’s rise and fall and rise again, Thorpe’s story, and the Nickel-A-Week publicity push in the 1950s. This is the wild story of how Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania came into being. Listen to the episode.
Historian Matt Maris of Local Historia joins the Public History podcast to explore how immersive walking tours turn Bellefonte, PA's layered stories into pride, tourism, and revitalization. We discuss origins, craft, and why guided walks power small-town public history across Pennsylvania - and beyond. Listen to the show and subscribe!
Discover the rich history of Rose Hill Manor with Amanda Venable and Kari Saavedra in our latest podcast episode. Learn how they’re reimagining historical interpretation in Frederick, Maryland - from founding governor Thomas Johnson’s legacy to enslaved peoples’ stories and plans for America’s 250th. This conversation showcases the power of local museums to connect communities with their shared past. Listen to the full episode and subscribe.
Discover the untold stories of Gettysburg in the latest episode of the Public History podcast! Join Jake and Justin as they chat with Codie Eash about history myth-busting and the challenges of interpreting Civil War history at Seminary Ridge Museum in Gettysburg, PA. It’s a lively, thought-provoking conversation you won’t want to miss. Click to dive in!
In this special episode of the Public History podcast, we share the story of Irvin Schwartz and his experiences during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. Schwartz, a native of Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, served as an anti-tank gunner in the US Army's famed 1st Division. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism during the battle. Listen to the full story.
In this episode, we chat with filmmaker Mark Frederick about his 2024 documentary, "Blair County: A People's History." This film shares the story of this Central Pennsylvania community, including towns and cities like Altoona and Hollidaysburg. Read more and listen to the full episode.
In this episode, we chat with Dr. Evan Kutzler about politics, historians, and the line between good history and crass punditry.
In this episode of the podcast, we discuss the state of World War II history in popular memory and the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
In this episode of the podcast, we discuss one of our favorite movies - the 1999 film "October Sky."
It's the end of the school year and we are handing out superlatives for some of our favorite museums.