Netflix’s Death by Lightning tackles Garfield’s brief presidency, his assassination, and Charles Guiteau’s madness. In this episode of the Public History podcast, we offer our review and take a look at the history behind this series about the 20th President of the United States and the man who killed him. Listen to the episode.
Back in 2014, as a student at Hood College, I created my first historical documentary on the preservation battle at Monocacy National Battlefield, threatened by a massive trash incinerator. Though rough around the edges, this short film captures my journey into public history and the importance of protecting historic landscapes. Read the full story and watch the video.
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!
In July 1864, Union and Confederate troops clashed near Frederick, Maryland, at the Battle of Monocacy. In 2021, I recorded a series of videos at Monocacy National Battlefield highlighting the medical story of the battle in partnership with historians and park rangers for the National Museum of Civil War Medicine. Watch the videos and learn more of the story.
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.
In this Monday Dispatch, I'm revisiting my transformative 2015 internship at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park - where battlefield interpretation, the Charleston massacre, and rising Confederate flag debates reshaped my career. Discover how that summer defined my career path and the future of Civil War memory. Read the full reflection.
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!
Reflections on a busy year in 2024 with a huge thank you to you, dear readers, who have supported all of this! Let's share some stories from 2024, reflect on a memorable year, and get excited for new things happening in 2025! Read it all here.
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.