It's a History Podcast

Hello! In this weeks episode I am joined by Author Matthew Davis to discuss his most recent release "A Biography of a Mountain: The Making and Meaning of Mount Rushmore.  "A Biography of A Mountain combines history with reportage, bringing the complicated and nuanced story of Mt. Rushmore to life, from the land's origins as sacred tribal ground; to the expansion of the American West; to the larger...

Hello! In this weeks episode we are looking at the history of Federal Holidays, How these holidays were created and why.  Sources for today's episode include:  An article from congress.gov titled federal holidays:evolution and current practices. https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R41990 The national museum of the american indian  A proclamation on indigenous peoples day, 2024   If you would like...

Hello! In this episode I am joined by William "Bill" Taubman to discuss his and his brother Philip Taubmans most recent release, "McNamara at War: A New History". I Loved reading this book and I have linked below where the book can be found. Thank you again to Bill for coming on the show! https://bookshop.org/p/books/mcnamara-at-war-a-new-history-philip-taubman/574930c9f2b483a3?ean=9781324007166&n...

Hello! In this Short and "sweet" episode we take a look at your favorite (or most hated) fall candy and how Candy Corn helped to shape the Penny Candy loss leader model.   Sources for today's episode include: An article from History.com titled Who invented candy corn by Becky Little. https://www.history.com/articles/candy-corn-invented   An article from the tasting table titled The nostalgic Histo...

Hello! In this weeks Episode, we explore Memento Mori. Memento Mori is a latin phrase that translates to "remember that you will die". Todays episode looks at the token of Memento Mori that are typically pieces of art, poetry, and literature, that serve as a physical reminder of the core sentiment of Memento Mori. In this episode, Death, corpses, and some other disturbing imagery is discussed.   ...

Hello! In this weeks episode we are looking at the controversial figure of Heinrich Schliemann and his part in the history of Archeology.   Sources for today's episode include  An article titled The World of Schleimann His life. His discoveries. His legacy written by James Simon Galeri A presentation from a history and civilization course written by Professor Mark Damen   

Hello! In today's episode we take a look at the history of corn mazes. While Corn Mazes are relatively new, mazes have been a fun past time for hundreds, if not thousands of years. We also take a look at the myth of the labryth and the uncovering of the location of the actual labrinth.   Sources for today's episode include:   An article titled The Winding History of the Maze by Natasha Geiling fro...

Hello! In this fourth and final instalment of the wedding series we take a look at honeymoons. Honeymoons as we know them today are a relatively recent addition to the wedding tradtion, but we can trace the practice back to the 5th century. If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at itsahistorypodcast@gmail.com . You can also find...

Hello! In this thrid instalment of the wedding series, we are looking at the history of wedding dresses. Often atributed to Queen Victoria, our modern tradition of wearing white is just that, modern. Listen to todays epsiode to learn all about the history of the wedding dress. If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at itsahistoryp...

Hello! In the second Instalment of the wedding series, we are looking at marriage itself. For most of history marriage was more of a transactional agreement then an endevour of love. But just when did love become one of the main aspects of weddings? Thats what we explore in todays episode. If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at...

Hello! Welcome to the Short and Sweet four part series on Weddings! We are kicking off this series on a breif, yet informative episode on bachelor and bacelorette parties.  Due to my own wedding (Yay!) These epsiodes will be a bit shorter and a bit lighter then somem of my usual content. I hope you guys enjoy this look at how our current wedding culture got to where it is today!   A Quick and Dirt...

Hello! In this weeks Episode we take a look at the history of crochet! Crochet has a bit of an ambigious history, but we can trace the origins of crochet to Tambour Embroidery and how the art of crochet transitioned into a way to make immitation lace. We also spend a good amount of today's episode looking at Irish Lace.  If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future pod...

Hello! In this weeks episode, as a companion to last weeks episode, we are going to be taking a look at the history of knitting. As one of the oldest fiber arts we have, knitting has a rich history of being used for necessity and as a fun past time. Today's epsiode will explore how knitting has evolved from the first iterations we have from the 10th century to modern day. Sources for today's episo...

Hello! In this weeks episode I have a conversation with Special Guest Nicole Nehrig about her most recent release With Her Own Hands: Women Weaving Their Own Stories. Over teh course of todays episode we discuss the hidden work that goes into fiber arts, how it has evolved over time, and how fiber arts like knitting and crochet create community.  I had such a blast talking with Nicole about her bo...

Hello! In this weeks Episode we are going down one of the many rabbit holes I wanted to go down while researching GIlded Age Summer. Just how did those Ladies go about laundering those gowns. In true Rabbit Hole Nature, I go from Laundry to how soap works, to how Urine was used as a cleaner, to personal hygeine. We definetly go on a journey today.   Sources for today's episode include:    Thunderb...

Hello! In todays episode we are fininhing up our coverage on Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt. Both Alva and Consuelo had led some pretty impressive lives, each due to different circumstances, and in todays episode we look at Consuelos life after the Duke where she really focuses in on her phinthropic work. We also look at Alvas rather impressive involvment in the Womens Suffrage movement.    Sources...

Hello! In this weeks episode we are continuing our look at Alva and Conseulo Vanderbilt. This weeks episode focuses on the marriage between the Duke and newly minted Duchess Consuelo. The Begining of the end came rather quickly for these two and we most definetly discuss that in this episode.  Sources for today's episode include the husband hunters: American Heiresses Who Married Into the British...

Hello! In this Weeks Episode we are starting our look at Alva and Consuelo Vanderbilt, two of the most well known Gilded Age figures. In this first epsiode of the series we take a look at Alva and her childhhod, Alva meeting Willie K. Vanderbilt, their marriage (and Divorce), and Alvas role in Consuelos marriage.   Sources for today's episode include The Husband Hunters: American Heiresses Who Mar...

Hello! In this weeks episode we are taking a look at what our gilded age ancestors did in their Leisure Time. From activities like walking, atttending sporting events, reading, and traveling, we will take a look at what we used to do for fun.    Sources for todays episode include: An article from the Frick Pittsburg museum entitled People at Play: Sport, Leisure, and Fun in the Gilded Age by Dawn...

Hello! In this weeks Epsiode of we are going to be taking a look at the Cycling craze that took over the Gilded Age. In this epsiode we will take a look at the progression of the Bicycle and how certain fearures changed the bikes popularity. We will also take a look at how bikes helped to improve road conditions.   Sources for todays episode include an article from the Smithsonian titled How the 1...

Hello! In this Short and Sweet Epsiode, I am Thanking You!! The Listener! For a Wonderful first year in podcasting. I have had such a great time this year and am looking forward to what teh next year has to offer!   Thank you all again!   If you would like to send me any questions, comments, or ideas for future podcast episodes please email me at itsahistorypodcast@gmail.com . You can also find me...

Hello! In the fourth and final episode in this Jennie Jerome Churchill series we will take a look at Jennies life after Randolph. If anythung, Randolphs death opened many doors for Jennie that would have otehrwise been closed. She was a major player in Winston Churchills climb up teh political ladder, she started. aliterary magazine, wrote two plays, many essays, and even unite the US and Britain...

Hello! In this weeks episode we take a look at what Jennie and Randolphs married life looked like. Jennie and Randolph, though not the most romantic of partners did make for great political partners. Unfortunatly due to Randolphs increasing difficulty with syphilis, his actions soon became eratic and his career in politcs, once promising began to tumble down. This epsiode also explores some of Jen...

Hello! In this weeks episode we are continuing our look at Jennie Jerome Churchill. This weeks epsidose really dives into what exactly happened in the time between Jennnie and Randolph becoming engaged and their wedding. Afterall, they did only have a three day courtship.    Sources of today's episode include The Husband Hunters: American Heiresses Who Married Into the British Aristocracy by Anne...

Hello! In this weeks episode we start our deep dive into the life of Jennie Jerome Churchill. In todays epsiode we start our look by getting a grasp on her parents seperate fortunes, the time the family spent in Paris France in the court of Empress Euguinie, and the first meeting between Jennie and Randolph that led to very quick marriage. This is the first epsiode in what is expected to be a four...