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Preservation Maryland
PreserveCast is where the past and present meet to discuss how history impacts today – and tomorrow. Hosted by Nicholas Redding of Preservation Maryland.
Zero Waste with Stephanie Compton
Today we're talking with Stephanie Compton, a passionate zero-waste advocate, founder of Leave No Waste, and an advisor to policy makers. We'll discuss how her work relates to historic preservation, policy, and the deconstruction movement.
25:5418/11/2024
Sailabration: Sailing Traditions in Ink with Owen McGarry
We're again connecting with New England-based hand poke tattoo artist Owen McGrarry, who will be at Sailabration: Sailing Traditions in Ink - a festival celebrating the lives of sailors and the art of tattooing - on October 26th in Baltimore. Before the electric tattoo machine was invented in 1891 by a former sailor, tattoo artists used a simple poke and stick technique. Aboard ship, sailors often used the materials they had on hand, such as large needles for sewing sails, India ink, laundry bluing, and even gunpowder. Owen Payette McGarry is a traditional hand poke tattoo artist based in Boston, Massachusetts. He came to tattooing in 2014 through his interest in maritime folk art, while working as a boat builder.
Owen's previous episode: https://www.preservecast.org/2023/02/20/stick-poke-tattooing-with-owen-mcgarry/
25:5014/10/2024
Law, Policy & the Preservation of Place with Advisory Council on Historic Preservation Chair Sara Bronin
Sara Bronin has spent her career exploring, researching, and publishing on the intersection of law, policy, and preservation. Today, as the preservation community grapples with the challenges of equity, climate and inclusionary zoning – Sara’s research and expertise is filling an important role. Bronin was nominated by the Biden administration and now serves as chair of the U.S. Advisory Council on Historic Preservation (ACHP) shaping preservation policy.
Sara and I connected via Twitter following her appointment by President Biden to chair the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation – and with her long list of credentials, publications and keen awareness of equitable land use planning, I felt she’d make an ideal guest as our field grapples with these heavy but important issues when it comes to saving historic places.
28:3507/10/2024
Protecting Rural Land & Resources with Renée Hamidi
Today we're sitting down with Renée Hamidi, executive director of Valleys Planning Council, a nonprofit that works to protect land and resources, preserve historic character, and maintain the rural feel of 130 square miles of northwestern Baltimore County, Maryland. We'll cover a bit about the work of Valleys Planning Council, and a current issue, the Maryland Piedmont Reliability Project, that would put irreplaceable heritage sites and thousands of acres of public-and-private conserved lands at risk.
32:5530/09/2024
City Archaeology with Dr. Eleanor Breen and Scott Vierick
Historical archaeologist Dr. Eleanor Breen currently directs the renowned public archaeology program and museum that preserves and interprets the buried history of the City of Alexandria, Virginia. She joins us along with return guest Scott Vierick, who serves on the Alexandria Archaeological Commission. Together they'll discuss the work of connecting Alexandrians with the Port City’s past.
42:0623/09/2024
A Journey through Atlanta's National Treasure with Gene Kansas
Gene Kansas, an award-winning cultural developer, preservationist, and social entrepreneur, joins us to discuss his upcoming book Civil Sights (UGA Press, 2025), about the Sweet Auburn Historic District in Atlanta and the movement to preserve it.
48:5603/09/2024
Crabbing with Luke McFadden: The History and Future of Maryland’s Watermen
On this week’s PreserveCast, we’re setting a course for the Chesapeake Bay with first-generation Maryland crabber Luke McFadden. Luke’s story is anything but typical – from beginning crabbing at age 12 to developing a social media following to help build a brand – but his atypical approach to crabbing might just be what the industry needs at this challenging moment. We’re talking with Luke about the beautiful swimmers, maintaining crab boats, and how his can-do approach may just help sustain Maryland’s iconic watermen heritage.
28:1119/08/2024
Restoring Historic Places One Brick at a Time
Today’s episode of PreserveCast returns to the United Kingdom to open a conversation with Colin and Dan Richards of CJR Heritage, a company that has spanned continents and worked with princes to save priceless heritage. From Transylvania to the Great Wall of China, we’re talking with two of England’s most accomplished tradespeople about the future of historic trades.
38:2329/07/2024
The Association of African American Museums with Vedet Coleman-Robinson, Ph.D.
Today we're talking with Vedet Coleman-Robinson, Ph.D., who serves as the president and CEO of the Association of African American Museums (AAAM), an organization bringing stories of civil rights and social injustice to the forefront, chronicling the strides that have been made, and emphasizing inequalities that still exist today.
AAAM is hosting its 46th Annual Conference in Baltimore August 13-16.
Learn more:
AAAM Website: Association of African American Museums – The official web site of Association of African American Museums. (blackmuseums.org)
Conference registration: AAAM 2024 Conference Registration – Association of African American Museums (blackmuseums.org)
40:3022/07/2024
Zoned In with Maria Tova Enriquez Dougherty
Continuing with the Smart Growth theme from last episode, today we're chatting with Maria Tova Enriquez Dougherty from HDAdvisors about urban planning, policy, affordable housing, and the Virginia Zoning Atlas. As always, we'll cover the connection to history and preservation and the real world impact of this work.
Maria is involved on a variety of projects, including providing policy research and programmatic development for HousingForward Virginia and the Virginia Statewide Community Land Trust (VSCLT) and affordable housing real estate development.
As referenced in this episode:
www.HousingForwardVA.org
https://www.zoningatlas.org
https://www.hdadvisors.net/
40:2708/07/2024
What's Smart Growth Got to Do With It? with Briana Paxton
Today we're talking with Preservation Maryland's Revitalization Policy Analyst Briana Paxton about the intersection of historic preservation and smart growth, zoning, barriers to infill, and what preservationists can do to incentivize smart development.
44:3401/07/2024
The History of Juneteenth with Dr. Dennis Doster
In 2021 - 158 years after the first Juneteenth - the celebration became a federal holiday, changing the understanding of awareness of the holiday for millions of Americans. On this week’s PreserveCast, we’re talking with Dr. Dennis Doster, who runs the Black History Program for the Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation about what the designation means and how Juneteenth fits into the broader American story.
Dennis A. Doster, Ph.D. is the director of the M-NCPPC Black History Program. Dr. Doster has close to 15 years of experience in the field of Public History. He has worked for the National Archives, the Johns Hopkins University, and the Alexandria Black History Museum. Additionally, he is an adjunct professor in African American Studies, History, and Women’s Studies at the University of Maryland, College Park and the University of Maryland, University College.
Learn more at: https://www.pgparks.com/1378/Black-History
28:4619/06/2024
The Path to Preservation with Historic Annapolis' Rachel Robinson
Today we're talking with Rachel Robinson Vice President, Preservation at Historic Annapolis, a non-profit organization in the historic capital of Maryland. Rachel takes us through her journey to a career in preservation and the organization's current projects.
36:4703/06/2024
The History of Entertainment: A Conversation with Smithsonian Curator Ryan Lintelman
The history of entertainment is a unique and compelling thread in America’s story – one that today’s guest has dedicated his life to studying, collecting, and interpreting. Ryan Lintelman is the Entertainment Curator at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and is putting the finishing touches on a massive new exhibit exploring this aspect of American history. Click your Ruby slippers three times, because we’re not in Kansas anymore on this week’s episode of PreserveCast.
Ryan Lintelman specializes in the history of entertainment as a curator in the division of culture and the arts at the National Museum of American History. He studies and cares for the museum’s collections of historical objects related to theater, television and film, including the ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, Phyllis Diller’s joke file, and Jim Henson’s Muppets.
Learn more: https://americanhistory.si.edu/profile/1176
Entertainment Nation: https://americanhistory.si.edu/exhibitions/entertainment-nation
31:0320/05/2024
Activating Historic Resources with Lauren Riviello from the C&O Canal Trust
We're excited to (finally!) sit down with C&O Canal Trust's President & CEO Lauren Riviello to talk about the C&O Canal, unique ways to activate historic resources, and the innovative Canal Quarters program.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park preserves and interprets the historical, natural, and recreational resources of the C&O Canal and has more than 5 million visitors annually.
Lauren joined the C&O Canal Trust in February 2021, serving as Director of Development prior to becoming President & CEO in April 2023. During her tenure leading the Trust’s development team, the organization steadily enhanced its fundraising efforts, growing critical support for conservation, education, and preservation efforts in the C&O Canal National Historical Park. A native of Shepherdstown, WV, she grew up exploring the C&O Canal at Lock 38.
29:1014/05/2024
Talking Pretzel History with Tim Snyder of Julius Sturgis Pretzels
Pretzels. Few words are as synonymous with snacking – and they are ubiquitous on tables across the nation, no matter the region. Today’s guest, Tim Snyder, leads one of America’s oldest pretzel brands – where the history of the twisted treat is almost equally as important as the taste. Connecting food and history is a theme this year on PreserveCast, and this is a great place to start with an icon in the food industry.
As a part of our historic foods series – where we’re diving into preserving some of the most iconic foods and brands, we sat down with Tim Snyder, President of the Julius Sturgis Pretzel company, America’s oldest pretzel bakery, based in historic Lititz, Pennsylvania to talk about preserving the history and charting the future of one of America’s favorite snacks.
More About Our Guest
Since 2006, Tim Snynder has been the President and majority owner of the Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery, based in historic Lititz, Pennsylvania. A former educator, Tim has worked in the food industry for the past four decades representing and selling iconic brands across the region. Tim has also served Lititz on the Town Council from 1998 to 2005 and as Mayor since 2012.
Learn more at: https://juliussturgis.com/
20:1106/05/2024
Balancing Contemporary Sustainability Standards with Historic Structures with Daniela Holt Voith
On this week’s PreserveCast, join us as we talk with Daniela Holt Voith, a founding principal of Voith & Mactavish Architects. Daniela will take us through her history as an architect, how she was introduced to preservation, and one of her latest projects in the Town of Oxford, Md., where she and her team had to walk the line between modern sustainable practices and preservation.
38:5029/04/2024
Leading the Maryland Park Service with Angela Crenshaw
On today's PreserveCast we're sitting down with Angela Crenshaw, Director of the Maryland Park Service. We'll hear about Angela's background, the State Park system, famous Marylanders, and the important work she's doing leading the department that safeguards Maryland's cultural and natural resources.
35:3222/04/2024
Historic Charleston Foundation with Winslow Hastie
Join us this week as we talk with Winslow Hastie, President & CEO of the Historic Charleston Foundation (HCF). On this week’s episode, we chat with Winslow about the 77-year old organization - it’s past and future - and the Nathaniel Russell House, a 19th century historic house museum in Charleston, South Carolina, owned and operated by the Historic Charleston Foundation.
In December 2023, HCF announced they would be divesting the house and a month later, after public outcry, that decision was reversed. Sit in on our conversation with Winslow as we discuss what this story says about the current and future state of preservation.
58:0015/04/2024
Historic Shoemaking with Andrew Rowand
On this week’s PreserveCast, join us as we talk with Andrew Rowand, a shoemaker who focuses on recreating shoes from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Andrew will take us through his process for making the shoes, where his inspiration comes from, and what started his decade-long journey.
37:0401/04/2024
Building Futures: Apprenticeship Insights with Jennifer Dewees
On this week’s PreserveCast, join us as we talk with Jennifer Dewees, President at Maryland Center for Construction Education and Innovation, Inc. (MCCEI). Jennifer will discuss apprenticeships and how important they are to the construction industry, and the workforce as a whole. Jennifer is a co-founder and Construction Lead at the Maryland Apprenticeship Center where they are championing apprenticeships as essential pathways across all industries.
26:3425/03/2024
The Tenement Museum with Annie Polland
On this week’s PreserveCast, join us as we talk with Annie Polland, President of the Tenement Museum, about their new exhibit A Union of Hope. Annie will take us through how they discovered the story of Joseph and Rachel Moore, Black New Yorkers who lived in the tenement in the 1860s – 1870s, and how they recreated their apartment in the Tenement Museum while navigating historic preservation and interpretation.
30:5318/03/2024
Researching a Historic Property with Christiana Limniatis and Maggie Pelta-Pauls
Today we're joined by two of Preservation Maryland's own (the organization that powers PreserveCast!), Christiana Limniatis and Maggie Pelta-Pauls, to discuss the process of researching a historic property - why people conduct the research, the hidden histories that can be uncovered, and how researching a historic property has real-world impact today.
Check out Christiana and Maggie's work here: https://www.preservationmaryland.org/researching-the-history-of-the-berlin-house/
and Preservation Maryland’s Property Research Guide here: https://www.preservationmaryland.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/PresMD-Property-Research-Guide.pdf
32:5111/03/2024
Historic Trades Apprenticeship with Natalie Henshaw
On this week's episode we're talking with Natalie Henshaw, Director of The Campaign for Historic Trades. You may recognize Natalie's name (and voice!) as she hosts PreserveCast's Trades Takeover episodes, some of our most downloaded conversations here on PreserveCast.
Listen in to learn about the value of historic trades, apprenticeship programs, the impact they're having, and how you can get involved to make sure trades training happens in your community.
*March 3-9th is also Women in Construction Week - a perfect time for the head of a national historic trades program to share her knowledge about the industry and discuss equitable opportunities in the trades.
31:2104/03/2024
A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse with Daniel A. Gagnon
Join us as we talk with Daniel Gagnon about his book A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse. Dan will take us on a deep dive into the world of the Salem Witch Trials and how one story stuck out and just had to be told. We cover everything from the accusations to the legacy, and how witchcraft themed tourism impacts modern storytelling.
Dan is the author of A Salem Witch: The Trial, Execution, and Exoneration of Rebecca Nurse. He is a high school history teacher on the North Shore of Massachusetts, serves on the board of directors of the Rebecca Nurse Homestead Museum, and serves as Chairman of the Town of Danvers’ Salem Village Historic District Commission. He has shared his research through many in-person and online programs, including C-SPAN’s television program American History TV, and has served as a subject-matter expert for local media.
Learn more: https://danielgagnonhistory.com/
30:4126/02/2024
Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America with Candacy Taylor
As we continue to recognize Black History Month, honoring the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout U.S. history, we're revisiting a conversation with Candacy Taylor, an award-winning author, photographer and cultural documentarian working on a multidisciplinary project based on the Green Book. In Overground Railroad: The Green Book and the Roots of Black Travel in America, Taylor has masterfully pulled together this story of resilience and segregation in a way that elevates and memorializes this history – a history still rooted in countless towns and cities across America.
41:1812/02/2024
Sacred Places with Bob Jaeger
Join us on this week's PreserveCast episode as we talk with Bob Jaeger, President at the Partners for Sacred Places. Partners for Sacred Places, founded in 1989, is the only national, non-sectarian, non-profit organization focused on building the capacity of congregations of historic sacred places to better serve their communities.
Bob co-founded Partners for Sacred Places in 1989. Previously, Bob worked with the Philadelphia Historic Preservation Corporation as Senior Vice President for the Historic Religious Properties Program. He is the co-author of Sacred Places at Risk (1998) and Strategies for Stewardship and Active Use of Older and Historic Religious Properties(1996), author of Sacred Places in Transition (1994), and editor (from 1985 to 1989) of Inspired, a bi-monthly magazine with news and technical articles on religious property preservation. Bob holds a master’s degree in preservation planning from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.
Learn More: https://sacredplaces.org/
37:3205/02/2024
The Goodall Fellowship: South Bend TradeWorks with Elicia Garske
On this week’s PreserveCast we are talking with Elicia Garske, a 2022 recipient of the Harrison Goodall Fellowship. Elicia shares her project, a summer program to connect skilled preservation contractors with young adults interested in learning more about this line of work. Join us to hear how her project unfolded and what lessons she learned along the way.
BIO: Elicia Garske manages preservation projects for H.G. Christman Construction in South Bend. In her previous role as the historic preservation administrator for the City of South Bend, Elicia observed firsthand the challenge of locating skilled craftspeople who repaired vintage windows and that specialized in historic preservation. At home in La Porte, Elicia is the grounds superintendent for her neighborhood the Pine Lake Assembly–a historic lake retreat founded by settlers in the 1890s. Elicia’s honed her skills as an interior designer and a sustainable building advisor with each of the three personal houses she has renovated. Dedicated to educating people on the importance of historic preservation, Elicia is a founding board member of South Bend TradeWorks, a non-profit group that rescues historic buildings and materials by reclaiming and selling architectural salvage and providing training on historic building renovation best practices.
Learn More: https://historictrades.org/project/elicia-garske/
Interview with Harrison Goodall: https://www.preservecast.org/2020/05/11/building-a-legacy-in-the-preservation-trades-with-dr-harrison-goodall/
2021 Fellows Selected: https://www.preservationmaryland.org/2021-harrison-goodall-fellows-selected/
2022 Fellows Selected: https://www.preservationmaryland.org/2022-harrison-goodall-preservation-fellow-selected/
36:0529/01/2024
Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers, Freeborn Men of Color, Soldiers of Independence with Dr. Shirley L. Green
Join us as we talk with Dr. Shirley Green about her book Revolutionary Blacks: Discovering the Frank Brothers, Freeborn Men of Color, Soldiers of Independence. Shirley’s book follows William and Benjamin Frank through their military service in the Continental Army, their experience as free Black soldiers, and the paths they travelled.
38:0622/01/2024
Preservation Trades Specialist Training Program at NRF with Alyssa Lozupone & Kris Turgeon
Join us on this week’s PreserveCast - our 300th episode! - as we talk with Alyssa Lozupone and Kris Turgeon about preservation training opportunities at Newport Restoration Foundation. Alyssa and Kris will provide us with background on this legacy preservation organization and the work they’ve done to establish a robust and successful Preservation Trades Specialist Training program and what lessons were learned along the way that could help other efforts like it around the country.
In 2023 The Campaign for Historic Trades partnered with Newport Restoration Foundation (NRF) to create a customized training program focused on providing participants with an introduction to the preservation trades. The 12-week program is comprised of 60 contact hours of instruction including lectures, in-class activities, demonstrations, site visits, and shop tours.
Learn More: https://www.newportrestoration.org/preservation/
27:2408/01/2024
*Special Release* The History of Santa Claus
On the last Monday before Christmas Day, the PreserveCast team brings you a special release on the history of Santa Claus. You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen . . . but what about the jolly old elf holding the reins? St. Nicholas, Old St. Nick, Sinterklaas, or simply Santa Claus. He’s gone by many names – but where does this rich and seemingly timeless tradition come from? On this special edition of PreserveCast, we’re headed down a winding reindeer path to uncover the rich history of Santa Claus and how he came to define the modern celebration of Christmas.
19:3818/12/2023
Time Will Not Dim with Mary Cleary & Michael Knapp
Join us on this week's PreserveCast episode as we talk with Mary Cleary, Senior Editor at the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and Michael Knapp, Chief of Historical Services at the American Battle Monuments Commission, about the newly released book, Time Will Not Dim: American Battle Monuments Commission, A Century of Service, 1923 - 2023. Mary and Michael will take us through the book, their experience working on the book, and the history and future of the ABMC.
32:0211/12/2023
Trades Takeover with Héctor J. Berdecía-Hernández of the Centro de Conservación y Restauración de Puerto Rico (CENCOR)
On the heels of The Campaign for Historic Trades' announcement that is has successfully registered its group apprenticeship program, Trades Takeover returns! The Campaign's Director, Natalie Henshaw, speaks with Héctor J. Berdecía-Hernández, founding Director-General of the Centro de Conservación y Restauración de Puerto Rico (CENCOR). CENCOR is a unique institution that seeks to develop the capacity of communities in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean to protect and conserve their cultural heritage. Its initiatives, programs, and projects provide educational and professional development opportunities to public and private cultural institutions, professionals, and the general public. Through preservation and conservation projects, study and research, education and training, dissemination, and promotion of cultural heritage, CENCOR helps people to know and explore Puerto Rican culture, history, and heritage, to protect and preserve it. In this episode, Natalie and Héctor discuss his career path into conservation, leading to the founding of CENCOR.
01:04:2027/11/2023
Exploring Presidential Gravesites with Christiana Limniatis
Cemeteries, like historic buildings and landscapes, provide critical connections to our past. On today’s episode of PreserveCast we’re talking with Preservation Maryland’s Program & Outreach Manager Christiana Limniatis about U.S. presidential gravesites – how presidents are laid to rest, cemetery architecture, and a discussion about the unique features of presidential gravesites across the country.
36:4320/11/2023
How to Tell a Complete Battlefield Story: Falling Waters with Scott Vierick
Join us this week's PreserveCast episode as we talk with Senior historian and interpretive planner, Scott Vierick with the History Associates, Inc (HAI). We’ll talk with Scott about the Falling Waters Battlefield and how HAI and Preservation Maryland worked to conduct an interpretive reconnaissance survey and the impact it had on plans for the Battlefield.
29:2213/11/2023
Abandoned Maryland Houses: Ruins of the American Dream with Robyn Hodgson
Join us on this week’s PreserveCast as we talk with Robyn Hodgson about her book Abandoned Maryland Houses: Ruins of the American Dream, which she co-authored with her partner Rhea Hodgson. Her book takes the reader through abandoned historic homes throughout Maryland through photographs and history. Robyn will share some of the behind-the-scenes of her photography and book.
A brief disclaimer on this episode – neither PreserveCast nor Preservation Maryland, which powers this podcast, endorses, suggests or encourages anyone to ever explore, enter or otherwise investigate a historic place without owner consent. Always engage in ethical documentation and exploration of historic places.
Learn More: https://www.instagram.com/morning_reveries/
Order the Book: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781634994361
24:3306/11/2023
Special Release: History of Witchcraft in Maryland
Although Salem is certainly the most famous American community to be beset by the mania of witchcraft, it was far from alone in its paranoia. On this special edition of PreserveCast, we're exploring the history of accusations of witchcraft and sorcery in Maryland.
At this time of the year, as we look for opportunities to get the good shivers, we’d be wise to balance the frightening tales of witchcraft with the harsh reality of the lives ended by the hysteria and the lesson in that story – that well meaning people can make strange decisions driven by fear of the unknown. Perhaps, the story of witchcraft fascinates us, because in each of us there is fear of the supernatural and we wonder, if only subconsciously, if we too, could fall for an equally absurd fallacy.
14:3630/10/2023
Michael Zittle: The Wizard of South Mountain
Our team has happily welcomed "spooky season" and this week we're bringing you a tale of old about the story of Michael Zittle – the Wizard of South Mountain. If you enjoy this type of content, you'll also want to tune in next week for another Halloween-inspired episode, an in-depth feature on the Maryland Witch Trials.
Much of what we know of Michael Zittle and the lore of South Mountain comes from Madeline Vinton Dahlgren, a 19th-century author, tavern keeper, anti-suffragist, and owner of the still-operational South Mountain Inn. New research, writing, and dramatic reading by your host, Nicholas Redding.
As the chill of autumn arrives and we approach All Hallows Eve, we'll indulge in this haunted history and talk of wizards, spells, and sorcery...
20:2523/10/2023
Authentic New Orleans: Experiencing the Big Easy Like a Local
You’re visiting New Orleans and you want to get off the beaten path – out of the French Quarter and into neighborhoods to experience the real, authentic cultural assets this historic, over 300-year-old city has to offer. So where do you go and what do you do? On this week’s PreserveCast, we’re sitting down with Danielle Del Sol, the Executive Director of the Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans and Nathalie Jordi to talk about an Authentic New Orleans experience.
44:3516/10/2023
Drunks: The Story of Alcoholism and the Birth of Recovery with Dr. Christopher Finan
Join us this week's PreserveCast episode as we talk with Dr. Christopher Finan about his book Drunks: The Story of Alcoholism and the Birth of Recovery. We’ll talk to Chris about the history of alcoholism in America, the story of recovery, and how the preservation and museum community can approach telling the full story of alcohol at sites and places across the nation. All that and more on this week’s PreserveCast.
BIO: Chris Finan is executive director of the National Coalition Against Censorship, an alliance of 56 national non-profits that defends free speech. Mr. Finan has been involved in the fight against censorship for over 40 years. He is former president of American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression.
A native of Cleveland, Chris is a graduate of Antioch College. After working as a newspaper reporter, he studied American history at Columbia University, where he received his Ph.D. in 1992. He is the author of How Free Speech Saved Democracy: The Untold History of How the First Amendment Became an Effective Tool for Securing Liberty and Social Justice (Steerforth Press), Drunks: An American History (in paperback, Drunks: The Story of Alcoholism and the Birth of Recovery) (Beacon Press) and Alfred E. Smith: The Happy Warrior" (Hill and Wang), a biography of the New York governor who was the first Catholic to run for President.
His book, From the Palmer Raids to the PATRIOT Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America (Beacon Press), won the American Library Association’s Eli M. Oboler Award for the best work on intellectual freedom published in 2006 and 2007.
Chris is married to Pat Willard, a writer whose most recent book is "America Eats! On the Road with the WPA - the Fish Fries, Box Supper Socials and Chitlin Feasts that Define Real American Food" (Bloomsbury). They have two sons and live in Brooklyn, New York.
Learn More: https://www.chrisfinan.com/
Find the Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/drunks-the-story-of-alcoholism-and-the-birth-of-recovery-christopher-m-finan/7213639?ean=9780807019931&ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.chrisfinan.com%2F&source=IndieBound&title=Drunks%3A+The+Story+of+Alcoholism+and+the+Birth+of+Recovery
35:0309/10/2023
Demystifying Preservation Projects with Ann Powell
Get a peek behind the curtain and join us on this week’s PreserveCast as we talk with Ann Powell, Principal Owner of Plan B. Ann will share what she does as an owner's representative and how she supports preservation projects. After 25 years as an architect, Ann will let us glimpse the complexities of preservation projects and how an owner's representative can benefit the project.
32:4602/10/2023
From the Brink to Brilliant: The Revitalization of Downtown Frederick and Lessons for Cities Across America with Kate McDermott
Join us on this week’s PreserveCast as we discuss the rebirth of Downtown Frederick, Maryland. We’re talking with writer and journalist Kate McDermott about her book, From the Brink to Brilliant: The Revitalization of Downtown Frederick, Maryland, where she paints a picture of downtown Frederick’s revitalization and what lessons this story holds for cities like it across America.
Kate McDermott is the author of “From the Brink to Brilliant: The Revitalization of Downtown Frederick, Maryland.” She is a freelance writer and journalist, working with clients that range from national transportation companies to major medical centers and biotechnology firms. She holds a degree in journalism from Kent State University and resides in Frederick.
Learn More: https://www.amazon.com/Brink-Brilliant-Revitalization-Downtown-Frederick/dp/B0BV43CXJZ
38:4125/09/2023
San Francisco’s Forgotten Cemeteries with Beth Winegarner
When in San Francisco you could be walking over thousands of forgotten graves. Join us on this week’s PreserveCast as we talk with Beth Winegarner about her book San Francisco’s Forgotten Cemeteries: A Buried History. Beth will take us through why San Francisco’s cemetery history, relocation, and the oversight that left thousands of graves and their deceased behind.
Beth Winegarner is an author, journalist, essayist, and pop culture critic who’s contributed to the New York Times, the New Yorker, the Guardian, the Washington Post, Wired, Mother Jones, and many other publications. Her books include Sacred Sonoma, The Columbine Effect: How Five Teen Pastimes Got Caught in the Crossfire and Why Teens Are Taking Them Back and Tenacity; Heavy Metal in the Middle East and Africa. She grew up in northern California and now lives in San Francisco.
Learn More: https://www.bethwinegarner.com/san-franciscos-forgotten-cemeteries
Order the Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/san-francisco-s-forgotten-cemeteries-a-buried-history-beth-winegarner/19987377?ean=9781467154925
31:4518/09/2023
Boots on the Ground with Paul Coussan
On this week’s PreserveCast we are talking with Paul Coussan, the Director of Government Relations at the American Battlefield Trust about Boots on the Ground: A Manual for Battlefield Friends Groups. Paul walks us through how the manual aims to provide resources for friends groups, new and established, who serve as the first line of defence against potential threats to American heritage.
39:4011/09/2023
Early American Industries Association with Lara Miller
Join us on this week’s PreserveCast as we talk with Lara Miller, the Director of Member Engagement for the Early American Industries Association. Lara will take us through EAIA’s history of being the go-to community to learn about American tools, trades, and industries for 90 years. She will also dive into their resources, network, and how listeners can get involved.
Lara Miller Rowand is the Director of Member Engagement for the Early American Industries Association. Growing up in the Central Appalachian regions of eastern Kentucky & southern West Virginia, she garnered an appreciation for and dedication to historic trades and crafts. When not engaging with trades for her day job, she can often be found throwing pottery, carving print blocks, finding something to sew, or growing vegetables. She holds an undergraduate degree in History & a graduate degree in Nonfiction Writing, and has formerly worked for institutions such as Old Sturbridge Village and the Valentine Museum in Richmond, Virginia. She now lives in rural Connecticut with her shoemaker husband, two dogs, and overly sassy cat.
Learn More: https://www.eaia.us/
20:2704/09/2023
Gravestone Recipes with Rosie Grant
Some people take their recipes to the grave, others put them on their gravestones. On this week’s PreserveCast, join us as we talk with Rosie Grant about her journey recreating gravestone recipes. Rosie documented her journey of making recipes of Spritz, Fudge, and everything in between on TikTok. Listen in as we hear how all of this started.
Rosie Grant is a part time digital librarian at the American Jewish University in Los Angeles and full time Outreach and Communications Manager at UCLA. Follow her on TikTok @ghostlyarchive or message on Instagram @ghostly.archive. Fellow taphophiles and cemetery lovers are welcome to connect and share any favorite graves or cemetery recommendations.
Learn more: https://www.tiktok.com/@ghostlyarchive?lang=en
23:5128/08/2023
I Dread the Thought of the Place with Scott Hartwig
The Battle of Antietam is the single bloodiest day in American history, chronicled in D. Scott Hartwig's new book I Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign. Join us on this week’s PreserveCast as we talk with Scott about the vital turning point that was the Battle of Antietam. He will give us a sneak peek into his book, the research it took to write it, and how the Battle of Antietam shaped the American Civil War.
**Join Preservation Maryland September 13th for a special book release party at McClintock Distilling to celebrate Dread the Thought of the Place: The Battle of Antietam and the End of the Maryland Campaign.
Purchase tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/an-antietam-evening-a-book-release-party-for-d-scott-hartwig-tickets-673181924257?aff=oddtdtcreator
01:05:3721/08/2023
Maryland in the French & Indian War with Timothy Ware
On this week’s PreserveCast, take a step back in time as we talk with Timothy Ware about his book Maryland in the French & Indian War. Tim will talk to us about where his interest in American history started, why he decided to write his book, and the importance of the French & Indian War to Maryland.
Tim Ware grew up outside of Martinsburg, West Virginia, in a region filled with history spanning from the colonial period to the American Civil War and beyond. His passion for history pushed him to pursue an undergraduate degree in history from Shepherd University and a graduate degree in American history from American Public University. In the first book, Tim dives into Maryland’s participation in a war that began as a skirmish on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and grew up into a global war for empire. Tim resides in Hagerstown, Maryland, with his wife, Heather; son Clyde; and two dogs, Nell and Kash.
Learn More: https://www.amazon.com/Maryland-French-Indian-War-Military/dp/1467150347
34:5414/08/2023
Preservation on the Silver Screen
Today we're joined by our own Preservation Program & Outreach Manager Christiana Limniatis where we're talking about preservation in pop culture, specifically preservation on the silver screen. Listen in to hear Christiana and Nick's chat about their favorite preservation-related films.
42:1707/08/2023
The Heirloom Gardener: Traditional Plants & Skills for the Modern World with John Forti
Join us in the garden on this week’s PreserveCast as we talk with John Forti about his book, The Heirloom Gardener: Traditional Plants & Skills for the Modern World. John will take us through how he started gardening, why he decided to put pen to paper, and the importance of heirloom and indigenous plants in our gardens.
John Forti is an award-winning heirloom specialist, garden historian, ethnobotanist, garden writer, and local foods advocate. He is Executive Director of Bedrock Gardens, an artist-inspired public sculpture garden and landscape in Lee, New Hampshire, and the recipient of a 2020 Award of Excellence from National Garden Clubs. He is also a regional governor and biodiversity specialist for Slow Food USA, a national chapter of Slow Food, a global organization and international grassroots movement that connects food producers and consumers to champion local agriculture, farmers markets, and traditional, regional cuisine. John gardens and lives along the banks of the Piscataqua River in Maine.
Learn More: http://jforti.com/
29:5124/07/2023