What Remains: A FAM Podcast

In this special episode of What Remains , Kylie and Clarissa discuss FAM’s newest exhibition, Witness to a Revolution: 250 Years of History . They share behind-the-scenes stories from the exhibit planning process, explore how artifacts are selected, and highlight a few featured objects, including Revolutionary-era portraits and items connected to the Bicentennial. Tune in for a closer look at the...

In this episode of What Remains , Kylie and Clarissa explore Fredericksburg’s Soap Box Derby history through two derby cars in the Fredericksburg Area Museum collection. Learn about William Street races, local champions, trailblazing female racers, and where derby racing continues in the region today. Music Credit: "Phantom Waltz Dance" by Stocktune, used with permission.

In this episode, Kylie and Clarissa step into the Victorian era to explore how music shaped life at home. They highlight two artifacts from the Chewning House—a portable melodeon and a hand-cranked Regina music box—and what they reveal about technology, social life, and the role of music in the 19th century. They also connect these historic sounds to Fredericksburg’s music scene today and invite y...

Join us as Kylie and Clarissa welcome our special guest, Reverend Hashmel Turner for a meaningful conversation about the 23rd Regiment United States Colored Troops. Together, they explore the powerful story of the first Black soldiers to engage in combat against the Confederate Army during the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. The discussion also highlights how their courage and legacy are honor...

In this episode of What Remains , Kylie and Clarissa take a closer look at a familiar household object with an unexpected story: a 19th-century stoneware crock from the FAM collection. Once used for everyday food storage, this piece becomes far more meaningful thanks to the name stamped on its side, “E. L. Heinichen, Fredericksburg, VA.” That single detail leads to the life of Edward L. Heinichen,...

In this episode, Kylie and Clarissa are back from our holiday hiatus to chat about the Princess Anne Hotel, once located at 904 Princess Anne Street and one of Fredericksburg’s most recognizable buildings. The story begins with a unique countertop advertisement board once used in the hotel’s lobby, leading us into the hotel’s past as a center of travel, events, and community life. From its 1914 op...

In this episode, we pull Kylie and Clarissa out of the collections to get to know them as hosts, learn how they found their way to FAM, and hear about their favorite things around the museum. They also share a sneak peek at what’s coming up in 2026, including the 250th anniversary exhibit and a new food-focused exhibit. The podcast will take a short break for the holidays and return on January 6,...

In this episode of What Remains , Kylie and Clarissa take listeners inside the museum’s textile collection, exploring not just one object but several remarkable garments. From memorable dresses to surprising fabric finds, they share some of their favorite pieces and the unique stories stitched into each one. It’s a behind the scenes look at how clothing can illuminate personal histories, local cul...

November is Indigenous Peoples Month, and in this episode, Kylie and Clarissa explore the story of Link Wray , a musician of Shawnee descent whose gritty guitar sound helped shape rock and roll. In 1957, right here in Fredericksburg, an improvised performance at a local record hop gave birth to Wray’s hit “Rumble,” a song so raw and rebellious it was banned from radio. From humble beginnings to ro...

After a brief hiatus during Dark History week and two sold-out What Remains: Dark History live shows (thank you to everyone who joined us!) we’re back with an episode that’s sure to crinkle a few memories. This week, Kylie and Clarissa dive into the story of cellophane, the transparent, rustling material that helped carry Fredericksburg through the Great Depression. Produced at the Sylvania Plant...

In this episode of What Remains , we head into the archives to uncover the story behind one of Fredericksburg’s most vibrant cultural traditions—the Black Arts Festival. As the city prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the festival this September 26–28, we look back at its roots and the community that built it. Join us as we connect past to present and honor the creativity, resilience, an...

It wouldn’t be What Remains without a flood story, and this one’s a big one! In this episode, Kylie and Clarissa take you back to the Flood of 1942, one of the most devastating events in Fredericksburg’s history. Drawing from donated photographs, firsthand accounts, and museum resources, we retrace the week of unrelenting rain, the chaos of burning gasoline on the river, and the incredible efforts...

In this episode of What Remains , we dive into the story of The Christian Banner , a short-lived Fredericksburg newspaper edited by James W. Hunnicutt. Once a respected community voice, Hunnicutt’s pro-Union stance during the Civil War put him at odds with his neighbors, leading to conflict, controversy, and the eventual silencing of his press. We’ll trace the paper's turbulent story, the powe...

On this episode of What Remains we are having our first guests, Worshipful Master Michael Dove and Senior Warden Seth Roderick from Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 4. Instead of focusing on one object, we dive into several important pieces of Fredericksburg and Masonic history. Learn about what Freemasonry is, how a very special Bible made it to the World's Fair, what's in a cornerstone, and we e...

When a curious metal tool sparks a deep dive into Fredericksburg’s gaslight era, Kylie uncovers a story of innovation, forgotten history, and unexpected preservation. From 19th-century lamplighters to a lone surviving gas lamp outside the museum, this episode explores how even the smallest objects can shine a light on the past. In this episode of What Remains , we explore: The story behind a lampl...

In this episode, Kylie and Clarissa uncover the story behind 24 eerily adorable carnival cats in the Fredericksburg Area Museum’s collection—and the wild history they represent. These stuffed leather felines once lived on Scott’s Island, a small patch of land beneath Chatham Bridge better known in the 1920s as Pleasure Island . But this story stretches far beyond one decade. From patriotic celebra...

In this special solo episode, Kylie takes you behind the scenes of the Fredericksburg Area Museum’s collection to answer your most-asked questions about what we collect, how we care for it, and what happens to the objects once they’re donated. From deciding what makes it into the permanent collection to handling duplicates and concerns about storage and display, this episode is packed with insight...

Today’s story starts with... a thermometer. Yep, you heard that right. But trust us, this small wooden thermometer on display in our “Living Legacies” exhibit opens the door to a fascinating chapter in Fredericksburg’s history. In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Dr. Webster Lee Harris—dentist, entrepreneur, and community leader—whose impact shaped the city’s Black community in powe...

Today, we explore not one but two intriguing objects: a beautifully bound 19th-century account book from Catharine Furnace and a newly acquired portrait of its proprietor, John Spotswood Wellford. From the fine details of financial transactions to the mystery of an unsigned painting, we uncover the story behind these items and the industrial legacy they represent. Join us as we connect the dots be...

We thought it would be fun on this episode of What Remains to take a look at the history of the building that holds our history. The Old City Hall building (now the FAM) was built in 1816 and has many stories. Learn about why we're here, what's the deal with those hooks, and how the Civil War almost caused us to lose this building. We love this building, and we hope after listening you will too!

In this debut episode, we set sail—figuratively andhistorically—down the Rappahannock River to explore the story of the batteau, a flat-bottomed wooden boat once envisioned to transform trade in the area. Tune in for a fascinating conversation with FAM’s CuratorKylie Thomson about river transport, local history, and what the batteau’s story tells us about the ambitions—and limitations—of early inf...

Welcome to What Remains: A FAM Podcast . Join Kylie Thomson, FAM's Collections & Exhibitions Coordinator, as she dives into FAM's collections. Explore the history and impact of the objects left behind, and sometimes the thing that aren't. Join us in discovering What Remains!