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PreserveCast

PODCAST · history

PreserveCast

PreserveCast is where the past and present meet to discuss how history impacts today – and tomorrow. Hosted by Nicholas Redding of Preservation Maryland.

  1. 315

    Ep. 4: We're Still Here

    Anjela Barnes (Piscataway) serves as the Executive Director of the Accokeek Foundation, located at Piscataway Park, where she proudly stewards and preserves the traditional homelands of the Piscataway people. She joins Revolution@250 to discuss the history and ongoing impact of this remarkable place—from the activism of the 1960s and 70s to the legacy of leaders like Turkey Tayac—and explore how the ideas born here continue to shape the park and our understanding of Indigenous presence today.

  2. 314

    Finding Your Roots with Athina Ramphal

    Athina Ramphal is a psychology student at Johns Hopkins University, founder and CEO of The Genealogy Club, and Miss Diwali 2026, a preliminary titleholder for Miss Maryland (June). Through her nonprofit work, she has launched initiatives including Seedlings of the Caribbean, a grant-funded international program empowering youth across the Caribbean to explore identity through genealogy, and Project I.D.E.A. (Identity, Diversity, Exploration, All-Inclusive): Who Am I?, which encourages young people to begin exploring questions of identity early by seeing themselves reflected in history and the world around them.She also serves as an ambassador for Finding Your Roots: The Seedlings, a three-time Emmy Award-winning, WPSU-produced web series and educational program inspired by Henry Louis Gates Jr.’s PBS series Finding Your Roots. Athina is deeply committed to helping young people connect with their heritage, understand their stories, and build a stronger sense of identity and belonging.

  3. 313

    Worth Preserving with Kate Wood

    Join us for a conversation with Kate Wood, founder and principal at Worth Preserving where she works with owners, architects, trades and others to rescue, rehabilitate and reimagine residential properties. With expertise on character-defining features we explore what’s “worth preserving.”

  4. 312

    Researching a Historic Property with Christiana Limniatis and Maggie Pelta-Pauls

    Today we’re joined by Preservation Maryland’s (the organization that powers PreserveCast!) Outreach Manager Christiana Limniatis and Maggie Pelta-Pauls, our former Property Redevelopment Specialist, 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

  5. 311

    Historic Shoemaking With Andrew Rowand

    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.Andrew Rowand has worked as a shoemaker, for a decade. His work focuses on recreating examples of historical artifacts from the 17th century through the 19th century using period tools, materials, and methods. He has currently undertaken researching and cataloguing shoes found in early New England structures as part of his work. When he is not doing research or making shoes, Andrew serves as the curator and site administrator of the Eric Sloane Museum in Kent, CT, and on the Board of Directors of TradesUp, an organization building the next generation of creators, makers, and tradespeople through try-the-trades events, learning workshops, and community engagement.

  6. 310

    The Rise and Fall of the Ferry Era with Martin J. Bollinger

    Author and historian Martin J. Bollinger joins us to discuss his book, When Claiborne Bridged the Chesapeake: The Rise and Fall of the Ferry Era. Published in 2025, the book explores the rise and decline of ferry transportation linking Maryland’s Eastern and Western Shores before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, highlighting the economic, political, and technological forces that shaped the region. Where to buy the book: Direct from the publisher: Buy from MCHC Press shop

  7. 309

    Architecture and the Displacement of Cultural Heritage with Itohan I. Osayimwese

    Welcome back to PreserveCast! Today's guest is Itohan I. Osayimwese, professor of the history of art and architecture and urban studies at Brown University, where she is an affiliate faculty in Africana studies and at the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies. She is the author of Colonialism and Modern Architecture in Germany and the editor of German Colonialism in Africa and Its Legacies.

  8. 308

    EP. 3: The Postmaster Who Printed a Revolution

    Mary Katharine Goddard, known for her role as one of the first women to run a newspaper in American history, was appointed as the postmaster of Baltimore in 1775. This dual role placed her at the heart of communication during a time of great upheaval and transformation. Her contributions as a printer not only included the printing of newspapers but also vital documents like the Declaration of Independence. Through her work, she helped facilitate public discourse and community engagement, underscoring her importance in the early American landscape.

  9. 307

    Breathing Space: The Architecture of Pneumatic Beings with Tim Altenhof

    Today we're joined by Tim Altenhof, a Berlin-based architect, teacher, and author, currently serving as a senior scientist in architec­tural theory at the University of Innsbruck. He is the author of Breathing Space: The Architecture of Pneumatic Beings (New York: Zone Books, 2026), which we explore together in this episode.

  10. 306

    GeoTours in Heritage Tourism with Emily Huebner

    Join us as we explore the innovative use of geocaching and GeoTours in heritage tourism with Emily Huebner from the Heart of the Civil War Heritage Area. Discover how these tools engage visitors, promote regional history, and support preservation efforts, especially around the 250th anniversary of the United States. Learn more: https://heartofthecivilwar.org/explore/250th-geotour/

  11. 305

    Harrison Goodall Fellowship with Elicia Garske

    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. Applications for this year's fellowship are due March 16th. Learn more at https://historictrades.org/goodall/

  12. 304

    History of Cities in the Modern World with Bruno Carvalho

    Today we're joined by Bruno Carvalho, Chair of the Program of History and Literature professor at Harvard University, where he teaches courses on cities. He is the author of The Invention of the Future: A History of Cities in the Modern World on the history of urbanization—from Lisbon to New York, Paris to Rio de Janeiro, and Buenos Aires to Lagos and Porous City: A Cultural History of Rio de Janeiro.

  13. 303

    Revolution@250: Washington's Resignation

    Today we’re traveling back to December 23rd, 1783, to the Maryland State House in Annapolis, a quiet moment that spoke louder than any battle: General George Washington’s resignation of his military commission.It’s easy to remember Washington as the victorious commander of the Continental Army, but what he did after the war was just as revolutionary. When he handed back his commission to Congress, he voluntarily gave up power, something almost unheard of in the 18th century, especially for a man who could have ruled as a king.In today’s episode, we’ll unpack why that decision was so significant — how it set a precedent for civilian control of the military, influenced the founding of the Republic, and helped define the very idea of American leadership. We’ll also look at what this moment meant for Washington himself — and for a nation still learning what it meant to be free.Our guest is Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky, a presidential historian and the Executive Director of the George Washington Presidential Library. She’s the author of the award-winning book The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution, which explores how Washington built the presidency and set lasting precedents for executive power. Her work has appeared in outlets like The Washington Post, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal, and she’s a frequent commentator on how early American leadership continues to shape our politics today.Her insight into Washington’s character, decision-making, and vision for the new republic makes her the perfect person to help us understand the deeper meaning behind that quiet yet revolutionary moment in Annapolis, when the most powerful man in America chose to give up power.

  14. 302

    The Historic Savannah Foundation with Collier Neeley

    Today we're talking with the president and CEO of the Historic Savannah Foundation, Collier Neeley about his path to preservation and the work of the Historic Savannah Foundation, a legacy organization when it comes to preservation here in the United States.

  15. 301

    What’s Community Archaeology with Katherine Sterner

    You are once again listening to PreserveCast. Today I'm joined by archaeologist, professor, and a great friend, Dr. Kat Sterner, an assistant professor of anthropology at Towson University and the director of the Baltimore Community Archaeology Lab. This episode covers community archaeology and its impact.

  16. 300

    Revolution@250: John Brown

    Welcome to Revolution@250, a special production of PreserveCast, in partnership with Preservation Maryland and the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Our hosts are Katie Caljean, President and CEO of the Maryland Center for History and Culture and Nicholas Redding, host of PreserveCast and President and CEO of Preservation Maryland. In 1818, 42 years after the shot heard around the world cracked across a Massachusetts field, John Adams was asked to reflect on the meaning and impact of the American Revolution. In this brief letter, Adams explained that,   The American Revolution was not a common Event. Its Effects and Consequences have already been over a great part of the globe. And when and where are they to cease? But what do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American War? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the Minds and Hearts of the People.  Revolutionary thought and thinking did not end with the Treaty of Paris, nor did it begin at Lexington and Concord. In this special podcast series, we’ll explore the revolutionary ideas that were catalyzed and accelerated by the self-evident idea that all men are created equal and what bold and new thinking that declaration has forged.  In our first episode we discuss abolitionist John Brown with historian Dennis Frye.    

  17. 299

    The Legal Side of Preservation with Benjamin Takis

    Today we talk with Benjamin Takis, founding attorney of Takis Nonprofit Law, a Washington, D.C.–based firm serving nonprofit organizations in tax, governance, employment law, and business transactions. Ben explains why strong legal foundations and smart governance are critical for nonprofits — especially those stewarding historic places. As co-founder of Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits and a frequent national speaker on nonprofit law, Ben brings practical guidance to help organizations stay compliant, resilient, and focused on their mission.

  18. 298

    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 book Civil Sights (UGA Press, 2025), which examines the Sweet Auburn Historic District in Atlanta, the birthplace of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Sweet Auburn was a hub of Black commerce, community, and civil rights activism that helped shape Dr. King’s early life. As the district declined after the 1960s, preservation efforts emerged to protect its history, including MLK’s childhood home, culminating in its designation as a National Historic Landmark in 1976 and ensuring this powerful civil rights landscape endures.

  19. 297

    Managing the Magic of Old Places with Dr. Jeremy Wells

    Dr. Jeremy C. Wells is an award-winning historic preservation scholar, teacher, author, consultant, and musician. He is an expert in US-based and international historic preservation theory, practice, and public policy; social science applications in historic preservation; community-based preservation/conservation and urban planning; and higher education teaching and administration. His latest book, Managing the Magic of Old Places: Crafting Public Policies for Human-Centered Historic Preservation was released by the University of Tennessee Press in October 2025. More here: https://utpress.org/title/managing-the-magic-of-old-places/

  20. 296

    A History of an American House with Lori Beth Finkelstein and Michelle Fitzgerald

    New year's greetings from PreserveCast! Today we're talking with Lori Beth Finkelstein and Michelle Fitzgerald from Johns Hopkins museums about Homewood Museum’s recently opened If Homewood’s Walls Could Talk: A History of an American House. Lori is the Philip Franklin Wagley Director & Curator of Johns Hopkins University’s Evergreen Museum & Library and Director of Homewood Museum. Michelle is the Curator of Collections at Johns Hopkins University Museums, which is comprised of the university’s two historic houses, Homewood Museum and Evergreen Museum & Library. She has curated several exhibitions at Hopkins, including the new Homewood exhibit. 

  21. 295

    The History of New Year’s with Dr. Alexis McCrossen

    10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...HAPPY NEW YEAR! As we await 2026 we're talking with Dr. Alexis McCrossen, an author and Professor of History at Southern Methodist University, who is now working on book about the history of New Year’s observances in the United States, tentatively titled, Time’s Touchstone: New Year’s in American Life. She is also the author of Holy Day, Holiday: The American Sunday (Cornell University Press, 2000) and Marking Modern Times: Clocks, Watches and Other Timekeepers in American Life (University of Chicago Press, 2013).  

  22. 294

    *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.

  23. 293

    Digging Deeper with Julia Berg and Sarah Mason

    Julia Berg and Sarah Mason are veteran Maryland public school educators and co-founders of Digging Deeper Educational Consulting, established in 2024. With nearly 30 years of combined classroom experience, they have taught middle school social studies, developed curriculum for elementary and middle grades, and led professional development at the school, district, state, and national levels. Their expertise centers on helping educators navigate difficult classroom conversations around hard history, including the Holocaust and race-based slavery, through evidence-based inquiry. As contributors to Gibbs Smith Education’s textbook series aligned with Maryland’s newly revised 6th and 7th Grade Social Studies Standards, Julia and Sarah are recognized as middle school social studies standards experts and champions of culturally responsive instruction.

  24. 292

    Preserving Nevada, a Conversation with Dr. Paige Figanbaum

    Today we're joined by Dr. Paige Figanbaum, executive director of Nevada Preservation Foundation (NPF), to discuss Nevada's landscape, the "Endangered Sites” list, and the preservation of the Howard Hughes House.  Prior to her current role at NPF, she served as lead historian and program manager for the organization’s Home + History Las Vegas festivals, where she researched, curated, and developed a range of walking tours, bus tours, and educational events throughout Southern Nevada. Paige continues her advocacy, collaborating with organizations statewide to preserve Nevada’s cultural heritage.

  25. 291

    Historic Preservation and the New Deal with Dr. Stephanie Gray

    Today we're joined by Dr. Stephanie Gray, discussing how the New Deal shaped history through politically driven commemoration and her new book, Restoring America: Historic Preservation and the New Deal. Dr. Gray earned her B.A. in History from Mount Holyoke College and both M.A. in Public History and Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of South Carolina. Stephanie specializes in public history, historic preservation, and twentieth century U.S. cultural history. At Duquesne, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in both traditional and public history, which contribute to the Department's new Public History undergraduate certificate.  As a public historian, Stephanie has worked for the James A. Garfield National Historic Site (a National Park Service unit), the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street America program. Her interest in old buildings and cultural landscapes inform her research and teaching on the built environment.  To purchase: https://www.umasspress.com/9781625348975/restoring-america/  

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    Unwrapping the Story of Mrs. Claus with Pamela McColl

    Are you starting to get into the holiday spirit? In this episode, we’re joined by Pamela McColl—award-winning author, publisher, and historian of Christmas tradition. Since the 1990s, McColl has worked through her own publishing company to bring books of social and historical significance to readers. Her latest work, Wondrous Mrs. Claus: A Literary and Pictorial Review of the Christmas Character, delves deeply into the origins, evolution, and cultural impact of Santa’s better half. Join us as we explore the rich history and enduring magic of Mrs. Claus. To purchase: https://politics-prose.com/book/9781927979389?srsltid=AfmBOop2v7gn2gvOqINiEaWn2LhVOzt00mZT7273pF40S2mwqxvziIGI

  27. 289

    Reimagining Preservation Education with Benjamin Prosky and Will Hamilton

    Today we're joined by Benjamin Prosky and Will Hamilton of the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation to discuss the organization's latest report on the State of American Historic Preservation Education, calling for rebranding, resilience, and workforce growth. More here: https://www.jenrette.org/archive/preservationeducationreport

  28. 288

    The Revolution in Context with Richard Bell

    Historian Richard Bell received his PhD from Harvard University and his BA from the University of Cambridge. His research explores American history between 1750 and 1877, uncovering the people, politics, and paradoxes that shaped the early republic. Bell’s newest book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World (Penguin/Riverhead, 2025), has earned starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews for its sweeping and deeply researched look at the global impact of America’s founding event. On November 14, the Maryland Center for History and Culture will host a preview screening of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, an expansive and evenhanded exploration of the virtues and contradictions at the heart of independence. Following the screening, Richard will moderate a panel discussion delving into the film’s themes and what they reveal about civic engagement today. Register for the event here: Preview Screening: The American Revolution and Civic Engagement Night

  29. 287

    Finding Ella Briggs with Despina Stratigakos and Elana Shapira

    Today we're joined by Despina Stratigakos and Elana Shapira about their new book, Finding Ella Briggs: The Life and Work of an Unconventional Architect. Ella Briggs was a talented architect, designer, and writer whose influence was felt on both sides of the Atlantic. She trained with the Viennese Secessionists and brought their radical ideas to Gilded Age New York. She designed modernist housing for the masses in Austria, was jailed as a suspected spy in Mussolini’s Italy, and thrived in Weimar Germany before suffering persecution under the Nazis. Fleeing to London, she contributed to England’s postwar reconstruction. Yet despite a long and prolific career, her name is largely forgotten today. Finding Ella Briggs restores Briggs to her rightful place in the history of modernist design. To purchase: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691263953/finding-ella-briggs?_gl=1*m5kt06*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTMxMTM1OTU5Ny4xNzQzMTczMTE1*_ga_N1W9JWKLY3*MTc0MzQyMzU2Mi41LjAuMTc0MzQyMzU2Mi4wLjAuMTc5NTE3MjM2MA..

  30. 286

    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. 

  31. 285

    Telling Harriet's Story with Alex Green

    Today, ahead of Maryland Emancipation Day on November 1, we're joined by Alex Green, president and chief interpreter at the Harriet Tubman Freedom Center in Cambridge, Maryland, as well as founder of Harriet Tubman Tours. Come along as Alex discusses his work in education and heritage tourism. 

  32. 284

    Under Alien Skies: Environment, Suffering, and the Defeat of the British Military in Revolutionary America  with Dr. Vaughn Scribner

    Today we're talking with Dr. Vaughn Scribner about his book, Under Alien Skies: Environment, Suffering, and the Defeat of the British Military in Revolutionary America. Vaughn is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Central Arkansas. In addition to his latest book, he is also the author of Merpeople: A Human History (Reaktion Books, 2020), and Inn Civility: Urban Taverns and Early American Civil Society (NYU Press, 2019)—in addition to numerous articles, book chapters, and other publications. He is currently writing a biography of America’s original celebrity “influencer,” Lord Timothy Dexter of Newburyport, Massachusetts (1747-1806). https://uncpress.org/book/9781469680774/under-alien-skies This episode is sponsored by The Landmark Trust USA

  33. 283

    The Apprenticeship that Saved My Life with Senator Cory McCray

    Cory McCray is a journeyman electrician, father of four, and public servant who proudly represents East and Northeast Baltimore in the Maryland State Senate. As the only member of the Maryland General Assembly to have completed a registered apprenticeship, he brings an unwavering commitment to expanding access, uplifting working families, and removing barriers to opportunity. Raised in Baltimore City, Cory’s life was transformed through an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24. That experience not only gave him a career, but a calling—and led him to invest in real estate as a tool for stabilizing neighborhoods, win elected office, and pass over 100 pieces of legislation aimed at equity and economic mobility. His debut book, The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life, is a blueprint for those navigating the “earn-while-you-learn” path and a call to action for educators, policymakers, and mentors to see the potential in every young person. When he’s not in Annapolis or working in the community, you can find Cory cheering on his daughters at track meets / tennis matches or walking his sons into basketball practice—deeply grounded in family, faith, and the future of Baltimore. To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Apprenticeship-that-Saved-Life-Earn-While-You-Learn/dp/1636986897 Thank you to this episode's sponsor, The Landmark Trust USA

  34. 282

    Remembering Tom Moriarity: Why Preservation Matters

    Today's episode is a re-release of an episode that originally aired in 2020 with guest Tom Moriarity, a legendary preservationist who passed away in late September. Tom was a pioneer in historic preservation, co-founding the Main Street program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has since revitalized over 2,000 towns and generated $115B in reinvestment.  In this revisited conversation we discuss why do we do what we do and why don’t others understand why it’s so important? Those are the driving questions that prompted Tom Moriarity to dive into a discourse on what preservation needs in the years ahead. It’s a big task – but one that we need to constantly revisit if we hope to save places that truly matter.  

  35. 281

    Opening Doors: Architecture, Design, and Built Heritage with Kevin Miller

    Today we're joined by Kevin Miller, an architect who also serves as the President of the Board of Baltimore Architecture Foundation. Kevin and his team have been preparing for Doors Open Baltimore, an annual city-wide festival honoring Baltimore’s diverse cultural tapestry by highlighting its vibrant neighborhoods, captivating architecture, and distinctive spaces that contribute to the city’s exceptional charm. Kevin obtained a BS in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Ball State University in May 2017 and has been working professionally as an architectural designer for the last five years. He is a digital artist, author, parametric designer, and thought leader with a strong interest in computational design, architectural interiors, design details at all scales, and visual representation. Kevin is always excited to learn new skills and connect with other people who share a passion for design

  36. 280

    How to Make a Home: An Ancient Guide to Style and Comfort with Marden Fitzpatrick Nichols

    Today we're joined by Marden Fitzpatrick Nichols, who selected, translated, and introduced a collection of ancient Roman writings about home design and decoration in How to Make a Home: An Ancient Guide to Style and Comfort (Princeton, 2025). Nicholas is particularly interested in how debates about the significance of art and architecture shaped ancient Roman cultural and intellectual history. She has also written about the reception of classical art in the 19th and 20th centuries. https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691249124/how-to-make-a-home?srsltid=AfmBOooDqFMm2YMd3tql7jjGhL3nUUL_hbQ5FUq9mf-_iDgXZa15_L3P

  37. 279

    Around the Table at MACo: Preservation, Policy & Maryland’s Future

    Typically we're in studio 1:1 with our guests, but today's episode comes to you in different format. Join us on-site at the Maryland Association of Counties' annual conference where we pulled up a chair (and a mic) with policymakers, heritage area colleagues, Main Street advocates, county reps, elected officials, and fellow history lovers to swap stories about historic preservation, Maryland’s past, funding, and what's in store for the future.

  38. 278

    A Timely Conversation with Carol Quillen as PastForward 2025 Begins

    As preservationists from across the country gather for the PastForward 2025 conference, we’re reminded that our work—protecting and activating historic places and the stories they hold—is more important than ever. On this special release episode of PreserveCast, we welcome Carol Quillen, President & CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, for a timely and thoughtful conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing our field. We discuss the importance of preservation not just as a way of protecting the past, but as an essential investment in our future. At a moment when federal programs, grant opportunities, and staffing that support preservation are at risk, we cover what we should expect from our leadership in this space and the work being done to save history.

  39. 277

    Oysters, Origins, and the Chesapeake with Kate Livie

    Kate Livie is a Chesapeake educator, writer and social historian whose work explores the Chesapeake’s culture, history, traditions and environment. Formerly the director of education and associate curator at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Livie serves as adjunct faculty in Chesapeake Studies at Washington College and as chairman of the maritime committee at the Maryland Center for History and Culture. Her 2015 book, Chesapeake Oysters: The Bay’s Foundation and Future, won the Maryland Historical Society’s Marion Brewington prize for Maritime History. Livie contributes regularly to regional publications like Chesapeake Bay Magazine, Baltimore Magazine, and Edible Delmarva, and has hosted programs on Bay culture and history for MPT, NPR and the History Channel. Livie regularly lectures on topics exploring the intersection of Chesapeake environment and tradition at cultural institutions, colleges and non-profits throughout the region.

  40. 276

    Historic House Museums with Dr. Melissa Reid

    Dr. Melissa Reid is the executive director of the Taylor House Museum, located in historic downtown Berlin, Maryland. Dr. Reid's doctoral research focused on community and artifactual literacies. Her work documented how historical stories of the local Black community were shared in the larger Berlin community. This research helps supports the mission of the Taylor House which is Telling the Stories of Berlin. Her family has roots in the Berlin area, going back several hundred years. She comes from a long line of storytellers.

  41. 275

    A Frank History of the Hot Dog with Jamie Loftus

    Historic foodways is a fan-favorite topic here on the podcast (pretzels, pizza, and many others) so we're thrilled to have comedian, Emmy Award-nominated TV writer, podcaster, and author of Raw Dog, the Naked Truth About Hot Dogs, Jamie Loftus join us today! Jamie's book is a blend of travelogue, culinary history, and critique of capitalism, revealing how the hot dog, a food often associated with low culture and affordability, has become deeply intertwined with American identity and commercialism. To purchase: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250847751/rawdog/  

  42. 274

    Piracy and Pirates on the Chesapeake Bay with Dr. Jamie Goodall

    When you think of pirates – you may think of far-off warm islands and tropical beaches or perhaps your mind goes to modern-day piracy off the dangerous horn of Africa – but you probably don’t think of the brackish waters of the Chesapeake Bay off the coast of Maryland and Virginia. Dr. Jamie Goodall has spent years studying that very story – and has published a compelling account of piracy on these now quiet waters. Let’s set sail for Chesapeake Bay – but keep a clear eye because these waters be dangerous!

  43. 273

    Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free with Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson

    Today we're joined by journalist and author Elizabeth Evitts Dickinson, talking about her critically-acclaimed book, Claire McCardell: The Designer Who Set Women Free, which came out in June of 2025 from Simon & Schuster. Named a New York Times Editors’ Choice, an Amazon Editor’s pick for Best History, and a must-read book featured in Oprah Daily, The Atlantic, Elle, Forbes, Harper's Bazaar, and on NPR's All Things Considered, among many others, Dickinson’s first book has been hailed as an exceptional biography and an essential read that “puts the American fashion icon Claire McCardell back in the pantheon,” according to Kate Bolick of The New York Times Book Review. Learn more, including where to purchase: https://www.eedickinson.com/          

  44. 272

    The Smithsonian Folklife Festival x Historic Trades with Jordan Riggs

    Today we're joined by The Campaign for Historic Trades' Recruitment and Outreach Manager Jordan Riggs to talk about the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and The Campaign's role in this year's event, spotlighting the value of careers, training, and education in historic trades. The Campaign for Historic Trades, like PreserveCast, is powered by Preservation Maryland. 

  45. 271

    Building for the Future: Cultural Heritage & Climate with Nina Jean-Louis

    Today we're talking with Nina Jean-Louis, a structural engineer passionate about bridging engineering, cultural heritage, and climate science to design culturally sensitive strategies that help communities safeguard their heritage sites from climate change impacts. Her research involves transdisciplinary methodologies merging qualitative and quantitative approaches to holistically quantify cultural landscape resilience in co-production with community relational values.

  46. 270

    Tailcoats to Tan Suits: Presidential Fashion with Summer Anne Lee

    Today's episode features a first - a fashion historian, Brooklyn-based Summer Anne Lee. She has an MA in Fashion and Textile Studies from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she currently teaches various courses in fashion history. Summer's research areas have included subcultural style and the history of women's underpinnings, and she is currently writing a book titled Presidential Fashion: An Illustrated History for the Yale University Press. Learn more: https://www.summerannelee.com/ As referenced: The Roaring Twenties and The Swinging Sixties: https://www.fitnyc.edu/museum/exhibitions/roaring-and-swinging.php  

  47. 269

    Trades Takeover with John Chan of Durable Restoration

    Trades Takeover is back! In this episode, Director of Historic Trades Natalie Henshaw speaks with John Chan, Principal and Executive VP for the Durable Slate Company. John is a nationally recognized expert in historic roofing and a passionate advocate for preserving traditional roofing methods. He started slate, tile and copper roofing at The Durable Slate Company while on college summer breaks in 1986 and joined the company full-time in 1989 after graduating from UCLA. After working through the ranks in the field, he became a principal of the company in 1992. In 1996, he relocated to open the Cincinnati branch, then went on to open the New Orleans branch in 2006. During this time, he worked on over 10,000 slate and tile roofs all over the United States and Europe. John’s expertise in slate and cooper roofing has led to his role as a board member of the National Slate Association. He also served as the organization’s president from 2012-2018, tripling the typical term limit for the position. Over the years, his lectures and educational outreach have influenced best practices across the industry. Take a look at the Norwegian Embassy’s pre-patinated copper roof John mentions in the episode, and learn more about Durable Slate at https://www.durableslate.com/   Episode Links: International Federation of the Roofing Trade  (IFD) https://ifd-roof.com/index.php/en/about/ National Slate Association (NSA) https://mobile.slateassociation.org/ National Roofing Contractors Association (NRCA)  https://www.nrca.net/ The Slate Roofing Contractors Association of North America, Inc. (SRCA) https://www.slateroofers.org/ The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors’ National Association (SMACNA) https://www.smacna.org/

  48. 268

    Giants of Urban Design with Thomas Campanella

    We're sitting down with historian and author of the new book, Designing the American Century: The Public Landscapes of Clarke and Rapuano, 1915–1965, Thomas Campanella. Tune in as we talk about two unsung giants of American landscape and urban design.  

  49. 267

    A Foundation for the Future with Benjamin Prosky from the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation

    Today we're on with Benjamin Prosky, president of the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, working to advance education, innovation, and stewardship in the fields of historic preservation, decorative arts, and historic landscapes. Listen in as Ben covers his preservation journey and the resources the Foundation stewards. 

  50. 266

    All Hands on Deck: a Maritime Story with Olive Theodore

    Join us as we sit down with Olive Theodore, founder of Walrus Boat Recycling, a nonprofit project centered around saving and upcycling boats, and the capital campaign manager of the Center for Wooden Boats, aiming to connect each of us to Seattle's living maritime heritage of building, exploring, and using small boats through hands-on experiences. Listen in as we cover all things maritime!

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

PreserveCast is where the past and present meet to discuss how history impacts today – and tomorrow. Hosted by Nicholas Redding of Preservation Maryland.

HOSTED BY

Preservation Maryland

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