Grating the Nutmeg

     Was the oldest person executed under Connecticut's now-abolished capital punishment law given a fair trial? Where did an enterprising young man find the best law school in the early years of the new nation? (hint: it wasn't New Haven)        Find out about these and others stories about crime and punishment in Connecticut from the new Fall 2016 issue of Connecticut Explored, the magazine of C...

     What's the history of Bradley International Airport and why is it named for someone from Oklahoma? Is it time to change the name? On the 75th anniversary of Bradley Field (almost to the day) CT Explored's Elizabeth Normen talks with Jerry Roberts of the New England Air Museum about the past, present, and future of Connecticut's international airport and air museum. 

     Take an earwitness journey to the 1659 John Hollister homesite on the Connecticut River in ancient Wethersfield, and join the archaeologists, graduate students, and volunteers from many walks of life as they uncover one of the richest early colonial sites ever found in Connecticut.        State historian Walter Woodward brings you with him on the last day of the dig as for a first hand accoun...

The Great Find! A pair of 18th century portraits comes up for auction. Should the Connecticut Historical Society make a bid? This is a behind-the-scenes story in more ways than one! Host: Elizabeth Normen, CT Explored. Featuring Ilene Frank, Connecticut Historical Society Pleasant Valley Drive-In  Did you go to the drive-in movies when you were a kid? You still can! Join Jennifer LaRue for another...

Most people know the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum as the place where George Washington and French comte de Rochambeau planned the campaign that won the American victory in the Revolutionary War. This year, a new  museum exhibit  commemorates another important event, one that happened there 100 years ago in 1916. That's when the minister, photographer, antiques expert, and marketing entrepreneur Walla...

More stories from "Small Towns, Big Stories," the summer 2016 issue of Connecticut Explored . Poetry and Patriots in Stonington A visit to an unexpected listing on the National Register of Historic Places: poet James Merrill's fourth-floor walk-up pied-a-terre in Stonington. Special guest poet-in-residence Noah Warren reads from Merrill's work and reveals how this place inspired both his and Merri...

This year, Lyman Orchards in Middlefield celebrates its 275th anniversary. State historian Walt Woodward sat down with John Lyman III to talk about the history of the 12th oldest family business in America, which also happens to be one of New England's most popular agri-tourism destinations. Then, listen to What's It All About – Summer Edition, a lively discussion with Bill Hosley and Betsy Fox ab...

What if you could tour writer Mark Twain's house with the maid, getting the juicy inside story? Join  Connecticut Explored  editor Jennifer LaRue as she tags along on one of the Mark Twain House's new living history tours. Plus learn about the living history tour offered at the Windsor Historical Society. Then publisher Elizabeth Normen smells the lilacs in the Florence Griswold Museum's gardens a...

In 1954, 32-year-old Al Marder was arrested in New Haven along with several others under the Smith Act for allegedly working to overthrow the US government. After a lengthy trial, during which he was defended by the celebrated civil rights lawyer Catherine Roraback, he was acquitted. Hear Al tell in his own words what he was fighting for and what it feels like when the full power of the state, fed...

In 1954, 32-year-old Al MArder was arrested in New Haven along with several others under the Smith Act for allegedly working to overthrow the US government. After a lengthy trial, during which he was defended by the celebrated civil rights lawyer Catherine Roraback, he was acquitted. Hear Al tell in his own words what he was fighting for and what it feels like when the full power of the state, fed...

        Just in time for St. Paddy's Day, Jamie Eves of the Windham Textile and History Museum in Willimantic talks to State Historian Walt Woodward about their new exhibit "Irish Eyes: The Irish Experience in a Connecticut Mill Town.         Then, in "What's It All About?", the  Connecticut Explored  editorial team discusses the articles in the Spring 2016 issue focused on civic engagement includ...

     This podcast was inspired by Connecticut Captured: A 21st Century Look at an American Classic, on view at the Connecticut Historical Society in Hartford through March 12. This exhibit, by acclaimed visual documentarian Carol M. Highsmith, is an effort to capture in images the character of Connecticut in the 21st century.       State Historian Walter Woodward worked with Carol Highsmith on thi...

     In our first segment, Jennifer LaRue takes you to the American Clock and Watch Museum in Bristol, where Executive Director Patti Philippon tells us about the Mickey Mouse watch that saved the Timex Company during the Great Depression, and so much more. The sound of the many different clocks ticking, ringing, and counting the time make this episode a feast for the ears.       In segment two, S...

In Grating the Nutmeg Episode 3, State Historian Walt Woodward takes you on a whirlwind tour of the Fall 2015 Association for the Study of Connecticut History conference, whose focus was "Connecticut in World War I". In part one of a two-part program Woodward condenses talks on weapons and whaling, the wartime transformation of Bridgeport, and Connecticut's women physicians in the war doown to the...

Listen in as the editorial team of  Connecticut Explored discusses highlights of the Winter 2015-2016 issue - on Connecticut's iconic brands. Then go on a field trip with historian Rich Malley to hear Roger Eddy's Audubon bird call in action and visit the New Britain Industrial Museum to find out about hardware and appliances from long ago. 

     In this first podcast, publisher Elizabeth Normen, Editor Jennifer LaRue, and State Historian Walt Woodward explain what Grating the Nutmeg is About; how it got its spicy name; and what their vision for its development is.     Then, inspired by the Fall 2015 Connecticut Explored issue on the history of Connecticut philanthropy, Walt Woodward visits Lebanon's historic green to learn from Ed To...