In this episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly, we revisit The Patriot (2000) as both a Revolutionary War story and a product of its time. The conversation digs into mythmaking, historical shortcuts, and how Hollywood action tropes still shape how Americans imagine the Revolution. Listen to the episode.
This holiday episode of the Public History podcast revisits It’s a Wonderful Life as more than a Christmas classic. We unpack the war trauma behind Jimmy Stewart’s performance, the clash between Bedford Falls and Potterville, and why Frank Capra’s critique of power still feels uncomfortably relevant today. Read the full story.
Step inside Eckley’s 1861 Church of the Immaculate Conception - built for Irish Catholic mineworkers and later deconsecrated, then immortalized in the film, The Molly Maguires. Today, it stands restored as part of Eckley Miners’ Village, a testament to faith and community in Pennsylvania’s Coal Region. Read the full story.
Explore Eckley Miners’ Village in Luzerne County We stepped back in time at this preserved 1850s patch town - the filming site of "The Molly Maguires" – and learned more about patch towns in the Coal Region. Read the full story of our visit and how you can plan your own trip.
Spotlight (2015) shows how Boston Globe journalists uncovered the Catholic Church’s child abuse scandal, highlighting how investigative reporting can change the world. This film resonates today amid corporate pressures and misinformation. I explore why it’s my favorite film and why fearless journalism still matters. Read the full story.
"Anthracite rallies" encouraged miners to produce more coal to help the American war effort in 1942.
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."
On January 28, 1970, The Molly Maguires appeared on the big screen for the first time. Here's Wynning History's takeaway.
A scene from the film mirrors the experience of a Coal Region doctor who served with the British in WWI.