Q & Abe

This bonus episode accompanies episode 8.3, "Is the house haunted?"  Michele Hanks told us which ghost tours she's seen handle the subject carefully, and Ben Alderson-Day let us know how folks can participate in his presence research. 

For this episode, we're thinking through a question from visitors who've felt something extra at the Cottage. Along the way we explore the science of mysterious presences, the intersection of doubt and belief, and what makes a place feel like something more.   Guests: Benjamin Alderson-Day Michele Hanks Tommy Griffiths www.lincolncottage.org

This bonus episode accompanies episode 8.2, "Weren't they friends?"  Lucas Morel and Jon White told us about the surprises they discovered in researching their book about Lincoln and Douglass, and Kevin Bryant shared a story that highlights the separation Douglass had to keep between his personal and professional lives.

For this episode, we're looking into a question about the relationship between Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Along the way we learn how they talked about each other, what we know about what friendship operates among boys and men, and how good relationships can make for good democracy.    Guests: Jonathan White Lucas Morel Kevin Bryant Niobe Way www.lincolncottage.org

This bonus episode accompanies episode 8.1, "Which chimney did Santa come down?"  Ken Turino highlighted a few differences in Victorian Christmases, and Jeff Larry shared his adventures taking care of the Cottage chimneys. 

For this episode, we're exploring a question from a young person surprised to see another fireplace on their tour of the Cottage. Along the way we check out the origins of Christmas trees, how to believe in things you can't see, and how many chimneys the Cottage actually has.    Guests: Ken Turino Penne Restad Jeff Larry Vaughn Joy www.lincolncottage.org

During this week in 1862, the Lincolns moved out to the Cottage for the first time. Part of their reason for coming was to find solace in the wake of their son Willie's death earlier that year. To mark the anniversary, we're making public our live show from March!    Guests: Alexandra Lord Matthew Laurens Brian Deer   www.lincolncottage.org

For this episode, we're talking about a question asked by a college student hoping to make contemporary political connections. Along the way we learn the difference between agrarian, republican, socialist, and democrat, hear some of Lincoln's speeches, and discuss the process of unionization here at the Cottage.    Guests: Harold Holzer Sean Griffin Haley Bryant   www.lincolncottage.org

 This episode accompanies episode 7.2, "Was it this hot when Lincoln was around?"   Jason Samenow described the craziest DC weather he's ever experienced, and Jason Hauser told us about some… creative… historical remedies for coping with the heat.     www.lincolncottage.org

For this episode, we're discussing a question from a slightly desperate visitor to the Cottage this past summer. Along the way we meet the Capital Weather Gang, find out the surprising cultural baggage heat carried in the 1800s, and see if we can actually do anything about how hot it is out there.    Guests: Jason Samenow Jason Hauser Shawna Weaver   www.lincolncottage.org

This episode accompanies episode 7.1, "Have you seen Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter?"   Elizabeth Richmond-Garza told us why the director of the movie might have been particularly suited to this material, and we heard from all our guests - AND our staff - about whether they'd recommend the movie to others.    www.lincolncottage.org

For this episode, we're addressing a question from a teenage student curious about how seriously we take ourselves. Along the way we talk about what vampire archetypes can mean for society, history on film, and how to think about whether something is "real" or not. Come along with us!   Guests: Dr. Scott Magelssen Dr. Andrew Salvati Dr. Elizabeth Richmond-Garza   www.lincolncottage.org

This bonus episode accompanies episode 6.3, "When was DC its unhealthiest?" While we were talking to the inimitable Dr. Ayanna Bennett, she was very clear that the Covid experience was a moment where the interconnectedness of everyone's health became clear. We asked her, how else did Covid affect way she and her team approach their work?    www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

For this episode, we're talking about a question we got after telling the story of Willie Lincoln's death from typhoid. Along the way we talk about the sanitary revolution - try washing your dishes!, equity in health resources across the city, and how to even measure what "healthy" means. Come along with us! Guests: Dr. Ashesh Patel Dr. Jim Downs Dr. Ayanna Bennett www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 6.2, "Did Lincoln ever go to church?" John O'Brien shared more stories about the Lincoln family's life at New York Ave Presbyterian, and Dr. Corey Walker explained how Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth were grappling with how the god they believed in could let slavery happen. www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

For this episode, we're talking about a question we often get from visitors with a strong faith practice. On the way we talk about Mrs. Lincoln's Sunday best, the intersection of religion and politics re: slavery, and definitions of Christian nationalism. Come along with us! Guests: Richard Carwardine Holly Hollman John O'Brien Dr. Corey D.B. Walker www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acas...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 6.1, "Does anybody know what Lincoln's next big idea was?" Kate Masur explained more about Lincoln's willingness to collaborate with Congress, and Shannon Janean Currie made an intriguing connection between his time and our own. www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, we're talking about a question we got from a supporter of the Cottage who was thinking about what Lincoln would have done with more time. On the way we talk about what political candidates need to do to connect with voters, how historians approach uncertainty, and how to know if your idea is a good one in the first place. Come along with us! Guests: Dan Barker Shannon Janean Curr...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 5.3, "Why would Maryland do that?" Terry Alford told us more about Booth's weapon, and Alex Wood encouraged us to think deeper about place(s) of memory. www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, we're talking about a question we got from a student trying to understand the reasons behind Lincoln's assassination. Along the way we'll encounter a troubling relationship to cats, one of history's most dramatic moments, and resources to stop radicalization in the present. Come along with us! Guests: Terry Alford Alex Wood Brian Hughes www.lincolncottage.org https://www.lincolnc...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 5.2, "How fast did emancipation happen?" Greg Downs recounted other emancipation celebrations you may not have heard of, and General Blanchard ran us through how the National Guard's timeline for deployment works. www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, we're talking about a question we got from a British couple curious about the aftermath of the Emancipation Proclamation. Along the way we wander through several alternate timelines, the experience of Black soldiers, and the contemporary work of the National Guard. Come along with us! Guests: Holly Pinheiro Jr. Gregory Downs BG Leland Blanchard www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Ac...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 5.1, "Was Lincoln gay?" Hugh Ryan shared an additional story of queer life in the 19th century, and Callie had a scenario she wanted to run by him to help understand how people in Springfield may have seen Lincoln and Speed. www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this episode, we're answering a question we've gotten from young people curious about Lincoln's relationships. Along the way we talk about gossipy Springfield, Illinois in the 1840s, Lincoln's close friend Joshua Speed, the invention of the term "straight," and how museums can tell queer stories. Come along with us! Guests: Charles Strozier Margaret Middleton Hugh Ryan www.lincolncottage.org H...

This bonus episode accompanies episode 4.3, "Did Lincoln ever play basketball?" Curtis Harris told us a little more about how the aftermath of the Civil War affected the ideologies behind the invention of basketball, and Len Elmore spoke to us about how he tries to share the long arc of history with his students.  www.lincolncottage.org Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.