WAMC Podcasts

In this live, special episode of A New York Minute in History, Devin and Lauren visit the annual Association of Public Historians of New York State (APHNYS) conference in Kingston, New York. What is it like to work in history? We’ll discuss how today’s public historians are striving to expand the narrative, engage with their […]

The Best of Our Knowledge, WAMC’s long-running program on education, research, and ideas, has a new host. On the next episode, WAMC’s Lucas Willard will explore a virtual painting and learn about a university course that examines doing…nothing!

It’s a new season of A New York Minute in History! In this episode, Devin and Lauren dig into the 19th Century discovery of a mastodon skeleton in Orange County. The “Orange County Mastodon” was one of the earliest, if not the first, complete mastodon skeletons discovered in the U.S. As our hosts will learn, […]

On this episode, Devin and Lauren visit New York’s oldest continuously operating courthouse, located in the City of Johnstown in Fulton County. Built in 1772 by Sir William Johnson, the Fulton County Courthouse has seen the transition from British colonial rule to the establishment of the United States, and 250 years of legal history. Among […]

On this episode, Devin and Lauren discuss how the poor conditions of female textile workers in Capital Region cities led to the creation of a retreat where women could “escape” the cities. Wiawaka was founded by Mary Fuller, an advocate for women workers in Troy, and the wealthy philanthropists Katrina and Spenser Trask. Wiawaka originally […]

On this episode, Devin and Lauren discuss a William G. Pomeroy marker recognizing a 1900 auto race in Suffolk County, New York, and the importance of racing in automobile history. Was that race to Babylon really the first of its kind in the U.S.? And how did Watkins Glen International get its start? Marker of […]

On this week’s 51%: we continue our series on women in business. Capital Region restaurateur Aneesa Waheed reflects on the success of her growing restaurant chain, Tara Kitchen, and Laura Mann, vice president of business resources for the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, offers up some advice on how to start a business. Guests: Aneesa […]

In honor of Women’s History Month, Devin and Lauren highlight a Pomeroy marker in Tioga County and tell the story of Corporal Margaret Hastings, a member of the Women’s Army Corps who survived 47 days in a New Guinea jungle during World War II. Marker of Focus: World War II, Owego, Tioga County Guests: Mitchell […]

On this episode, hosts Devin and Lauren delve into the history of Albany County’s Rapp Road Community, an African American neighborhood built by southern immigrants who moved north for a better life in the late 1920s. Marker of Focus: Rapp Road Community Historic District, Albany County Guests: Stephanie Woodard, board member of the Rapp Road […]

In the first episode of our new season, Devin and Lauren look to a William G. Pomeroy marker in Westchester County to learn about American patriot Thomas Paine, his influence on the American and French Revolutions — and just how and why his body went missing. Where is Thomas Paine today? Marker: Thomas Paine, New […]

On this week’s 51%, we speak with some of the writers and filmmakers in the Carey Institute for Global Good’s Logan Nonfiction Program. Documentary filmmaker Ilse Fernandez previews her upcoming film, Exodus Stories. And we also speak with reporter Deborah Barfield Berry of the USA Today.   Guests: Ilse Fernandez, producer/director of Exodus Stories: Voices […]

On this episode, Devin and Lauren tackle all of New York’s historical markers at once — sort of. Devin and Lauren discuss how the state’s historical marker program got started, what happened to it, and how communities can apply for a marker today. As an added bonus, Devin and Lauren speak with Susan Hughes of […]

In this episode, Devin and Lauren discuss the “Burned Over District,” and how upstate New York became a “cauldron” of emergent religions and alternative communities during the 19th century. How did the Burned Over District collide with state and national history? And what role did the Erie Canal play in establishing it? Devin and Lauren […]

This episode delves into the public health industry that emerged in New York in the 19th Century. As the understanding of medicine and health evolved over time, there were many communities in New York state whose location was thought to have healing properties, most often because of the existence of springs or some other perceived […]

Two years after taking over the Amsterdam Recorder, The Daily Gazette is acquiring the Gloversville Leader-Herald — one of the nation’s last afternoon publications. The Gazette, based in Schenectady, will acquire the Leader-Herald from the Nutting Company. The Gazette’s managing editor will oversee both outlets. Gazette Publisher John DeAugustine says the Leader-Herald will continue to […]

The Albany Institute of History and Art says Executive Director Tammis Groft will retire. In the position since 2013, Groft began at the downtown museum as an intern in 1976. Groft, who became chief curator in 1987 and deputy director in 2000, will remain through the transition to a successor. Groft called being executive director […]

Devin and Lauren dive into the history of Timbuctoo, an African American settlement founded by philanthropist Gerrit Smith in response to an 1846 law requiring all Black men to own $250 worth of property in order to vote in New York state. To counter this racist policy, Smith decided to give away 120,000 acres of […]

New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik faces new competition in the 21st District. Democrat Matt Putorti, a lawyer from Whitehall, announced his candidacy for the 2022 midterms on Monday. Putorti, an openly gay lawyer, says Stefanik’s politics are divisive. Stefanik is a fourth-term Republican and strong ally of former President Trump. In a statement, the Stefanik […]

For more than a year, we’ve been covering the devastating COVID-19 outbreak at the Holyoke Soldiers’ Home. Eventually, 76 residents — including many men who fought in World War II — died of the virus. As subsequent investigations found, that was likely exacerbated by a series of poor decisions and understaffing. A new investigation by […]

In this episode, Devin and Lauren research the life of Audrey Munson, America’s first supermodel. Born in upstate New York, Munson was one of the most famous models of the early 20th Century, and posed for the top American artists in the Beaux Arts movement. Sculptures based on Munson dot the landscape of New York […]

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider Mississippi’s bid to enforce a 15-week ban on abortion, setting up a showdown over abortion nearly 50 years after Roe v. Wade. The court first announced a woman’s constitutional right to an abortion in that 1973 case. Before the court hears the case, likely this fall, we speak […]

Traversing Iceland by foot, Mongolia by horseback, Arabia by camel and the Blue Nile Gorge by raft; Bruce Kirby’s journeys span 80 countries around the world. In his new book “Blue Sky Kingdom,” we follow Kirkby and his family as they hop on a freighter and make a remarkable three-month journey from Canada to the Himalayas. […]

In this episode, Devin and Lauren investigate the invasions of Canada by the Fenian Brotherhood, a group of Irish Nationalists intent of freeing Ireland from British control. These invasions were launched from several locations in upstate New York, including the site of a recently-erected William G. Pomeroy Foundation marker in the Franklin County town of […]

This week, Two former female aides to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo are accusing him of bad behavior. One says the governor sexually harassed her in incidents that included inappropriate touching and an invitation to play strip poker. Cuomo denies the allegations. Our political observer Dr. Alan Chartock shares his thoughts on the political ramifications […]

Democratic state Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara of the 111th district has another idea says it's time to legalize mobile sports betting.