Letters from War: 1861 | “Shoulder Arms” meets the enslaved and the self-emancipated on the shores of the Potomac

"I picked up some old letters, bills of negro sales, &c., that were lying around, which are quite indicative of southern character..." A correspondent of the Luzerne Union of Wilkes-Barre, PA wrote about encountering formerly enslaved people at the Virginia home of a woman arrested for assisting Confederate soldiers. Read the full letter.

Rewatching John Adams: Power, Politics, and Governing a New Nation (Episodes 5-7)

Independence was only the beginning. In the final episodes of John Adams, the Revolution gives way to politics, power struggles, and the difficult work of governing a fragile new nation. Adams finds himself caught between rivals and expectations, while the cost of public life reshapes his family and his legacy. Listen to our review on the Public History podcast.

Podcast | Before Emancipation: Reconstruction Starts on the South Carolina Coast with Rich Condon

In this episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly, Jake and Molly are joined by public historian Rich Condon to explore the Port Royal Experiment - an early, improvised effort to build freedom during the Civil War. Long before Reconstruction formally began, formerly enslaved people tested land ownership, education, and self-governance in coastal South Carolina. Listen to the episode.

Podcast | Removing History in Philadelphia on the eve of the 250th of American Independence

In this "emergency" episode of Public History with Justin, Jake, and Molly, Jake and Molly respond to the quiet removal of slavery interpretation at Philadelphia’s President’s House ahead of America’s 250th. Listen to the full episode.

Podcast | The Patriot: The American Revolution as action movie

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.

Podcast | Rose Hill Manor with Amanda Venable and Kari Saavedra

Rose Hill Manor Park and Museums Frederick, MD America 250 Public History podcast

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.

The Gazette: Episode 5 – Farewell Letter

We explore the story of Pittston's volunteer aid association, refugees from southern states, and an epic rant written by a Wyoming Valley minister.

The Gazette: Prologue – The Looming Crisis

The first full episode of "The Gazette" examines the coming of the Civil War and the founding of Pittston's newspaper in the 1850s.

Introducing “The Gazette” – A podcast about a Coal Region town during the Civil War

A podcast that explores the Civil War experiences of Pittston, Pennsylvania and its weekly newspaper.