Chalkboard History: The Official Podcast of the Battle of Franklin Trust

Just a quick update on what we're up to this Winter!  Subscribe to the TENN in 20 newsletter here: https://boft.org/podcast . __________________ Please like, subscribe, and comment to support The Battle of Franklin Trust! The mission of the Battle of Franklin Trust is to preserve, understand, and interpret the story of a people forever impacted by the American Civil War. ⌲ Website: https://www.bof...

By the end of the Civil War roughly 180,000 African American men, many of them former slaves, were soldiers in the United States Army. These USCT (United States Colored Troops) soldiers made up approximately 10% of the entire United States armed force. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they interview Kurt Vetters, author of the books Confederate Win...

Francis Watkins Carter was the youngest son of Fountain Branch and Polly Carter. He grew up in the Carter House in Franklin, TN, but his life's journey brought him through some of the roughest fighting of the Civil War, then to South America, and finally to the western American frontier. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they discuss the life of "Wa...

Josie Wells was a prominent African American doctor in Tennessee in the early 20th Century. She worked to provide health care for women and children, particularly for those in the African American community who were unable to find quality care elsewhere. She did these things in the midst of the Jim Crow Era, a time of legal segregation and disenfranchisement for African Americans. This week on "TE...

Josie Wells was a prominent African American doctor in Tennessee in the early 20th Century. She worked to provide health care for women and children, particularly for those in the African American community who were unable to find quality care elsewhere. She did these things in the midst of the Jim Crow Era, a time of legal segregation and disenfranchisement for African Americans. This week on "TE...

After failing in his attempt to take over Mexico, William Walker toured the American south, garnering support for his next big filibustering expedition. From 1854 to 1860 Walker made repeated attempts, of varying success, to expand America's slave empire into Central America by seizing control of the war-torn nation of Nicaragua. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Bra...

To commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Franklin, 10,000 luminaries, representing the casualties of the battle, will be lit at dusk on November 30, 2018. This event starts at 4pm at Carnton, followed by open houses at both Carnton and Carter House.  In this BONUS EPISODE of "TENN in 20," hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah, along with BOFT CEO Eric Jacobson, discuss the legacy...

In the 1850’s, a Tennessean created a mercenary army, led them into central America, and declared himself president of a foreign nation. He did this TWICE before becoming a martyr to the Confederate cause in the months before secession. His name was William Walker. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they discuss the life of "The Filibuster" William W...

This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they interview historian Bill Lee, author of the book "Runaways, Coffles and Fancy Girls: A History of Slavery in Tennessee."  If you would like to support this podcast and add some cool items to your library or wardrobe, head over to our online store at https://store.boft.org . __________________ Please like, subsc...

At the end of his life, General John Bell Hood was regarded by most as a well-respected soldier who had risked life and limb for his country. He was so beloved by the men in his Texas Brigade that they raised thousands of dollars to care for his orphans, and it was his legacy as a battle commander that led to Fort Hood being named after him in the 1940's.  But decades after his death, allegations...

When General John Bell Hood took command of the Army of Tennessee on July 17, 1864, he was tasked with saving Atlanta from falling into the hands of General William T. Sherman. Hood was only 33 years old, and would be facing two of his former West Point classmates and one of his former instructors. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they discuss the...

John Bell Hood was a Confederate soldier who was known as an aggressive and effective brigade and division commander, and became the youngest person to attain the rank of full general in the Confederate Army. He is also one of the most misunderstood figures from the Civil War. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they discuss the life of General John B...

Can you name all three presidents who called Tennessee home? What is the Tennessee state animal? How about how many cities have been Tennessee's state capital? Learn the answers to these questions in the first ever Tennessee Trivia Showdown!  This is a BONUS episode of "TENN in 20!" Come back every other Tuesday for our regularly scheduled Tennessee history content. If you enjoyed this episode, fe...

In 1909, Tennessee became one of the first states to vote to prohibit the sale and manufacture of alcoholic beverages. But this does not mean that the production of alcohol ceased. In fact, during the years of prohibition, Tennessee became known for moonshine: high-proof distilled spirits produced without government authorization. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Br...

Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer and politician. He was most notable for the Lewis and Clark expedition, which explored much of the Pacific Northwest and helped to spread American Democracy to the westernmost portions of the United States. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah, along with special guest Derek, as they discuss how Lewis met his trag...

Meriwether Lewis was an American explorer and politician. He was most notable for the Lewis and Clark expedition, which explored much of the Pacific Northwest and helped to spread American Democracy to the westernmost portions of the United States. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah, along with special guest Derek, as they discuss the life of Meriwether...

Roughly three hundred enslaved men from Williamson County, TN fought for the United States in the Civil War, yet until recently very little was known about them. Now, a project is being undertaken to commemorate these men. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah, along with special guest Tina Jones, as they discuss the stories of these individuals who fought...

He went to college with Chief Supreme Court Justice Roger B. Taney. His wife was related to Senator John C. Calhoun and Attorney General Felix Grundy. His daughter married William Giles Harding, owner of the Belle Meade Plantation. His son was an aide to James K. Polk. And he was good friends with Andrew Jackson. This week on "TENN in 20," join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as th...

Join guest speakers Pastor Hewitt Sawyers and Tennessee State Historian Dr. Carroll Van West in episode two of our ongoing BOFT Lecture Series! This is a BONUS EPISODE! Brad and Sarah will be back on Tuesday, July 31. We have a SPECIAL OFFER for our podcast listeners! Head over to our online store at https://store.boft.org and stock up on BOFT apparel, housewares, and (most importantly for our fel...

If you live in Middle Tennessee, there is a good chance you've heard the name J. Percy Priest. Nowadays, his name is most commonly associated with the dam and lake system that are named after him. But who was the REAL J. Percy Priest? This week on "TENN in 20" join hosts and historical enthusiast Brad and Sarah as they discuss the life of Percy Priest the man, the creation of Percy Priest the lake...

If you have ever visited the Carter House then you almost certainly have heard the story of Captain Tod Carter. As a young man, Tod fought for the Confederacy in the 20th Tennessee regiment. On the night of November 30, 1864, during the Battle of Franklin, Tod participated in some of the most intense combat of the entire Civil War, which just so happened to take place in the yard of his childhood...

In the 1980's, a group of historians ranked all Tennessee governors in a list from best to worst. William Gannaway Brownlow came in dead last. Some say you can still see tobacco stains on his portrait from where passersby chose to pay him their respects... But does he really deserve such treatment? This week on "TENN in 20" join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they discuss the l...

Introducing episode one of our BOFT Lecture Series! Join historian and BOFT CEO Eric A. Jacobson as he speaks on the 14th Amendment as well as the creation of the Confederate Cemetery at Carnton, both of which unfolded simultaneously and symbolized America’s struggle to make sense of and move beyond the Civil War. This is a BONUS EPISODE! Brad and Sarah will be back on Tuesday, June 18. __________...

When it comes to the Trail of Tears, the name that comes to mind for most historical enthusiasts is Andrew Jackson. But Native American removal as a United Sates policy began before Jackson's presidency, and continued for years after.  This week on "TENN in 20" join host and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah, along with special guest Grace, as they discuss the impact of the Trail of Tears on T...

Less than one hundred years ago, the 19th Amendment was ratified, granting women the right to vote in the United States. This was the culmination of a generations long struggle, and it all came down to a showdown in Nashville, TN, referred to in the newspapers as the "War of the Roses." This week on "TENN in 20", join hosts and historical enthusiasts Brad and Sarah as they discuss the Women's Suff...