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PreserveCast

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.

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22 episodes
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English

Episodes 22

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Yesterday · 1 hr 2 min
Revolution@250: The Maryland 400
In this episode of Revolution@250, we delve into the remarkable story of the Maryland 400 and their pivotal role in the Battle of Brooklyn—one of the most consequential and dramatic encounters of the American Revolution. Facing overwhelming British forces, these largely untested Maryland soldiers made a courageous stand that helped give George Washington’s army time to escape and survive another day. Historian and researcher Owen Lourie draws on 13 years of research to bring the Maryland 400 out of the shadows, uncovering the individual stories, sacrifices, and experiences of the men behind this legendary moment. Their actions became a powerful symbol of courage and perseverance, and their legacy continues to shape how we understand the Revolution and the human cost of the fight for American independence.
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Monday · 53 min
Preserving Memory and Shaping the Future with Cecily Bedwell and Brian Reetz
In this episode, we explore the complex history and future of Crownsville Memorial Hospital and the Crownsville Memorial Park Master Plan. Cecily Bedwell and Brian Reetz of Design Collective discuss how landscape architecture, preservation, and community engagement can transform a site of difficult history into a place for healing, learning, and reflection.
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August 17 · 59 min
Sidewalk Nation with Michael Pollack
In this episode, author Michael Pollack discusses the overlooked importance of sidewalks in urban life, law, and community development. He shares insights from his book 'Sidewalk Nation' about how sidewalks shape our communities and what can be done to improve them.
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August 3 · 41 min
Shared Stewardship: Historic Resources and Nature with Andrew Brown
Today we're joined by Andrew Brown from The Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership, an organization dedicated to protecting and enhancing native bird populations. Andrew, Maryland Farmland Raptor Program project manager, discusses how historic resources intersect with his line of work and why preserving both natural and cultural landscapes is essential for the future of Maryland's birds.
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July 31 · 49 min
Rev@250 Ep. 7: The Whiskey Rebellion
In this episode of Revolution@250 we cover the Whiskey Rebellion of 1791–1794. While the uprising took place mainly in western Pennsylvania, many farmers in western Maryland faced the same challenges under the new federal whiskey tax. We'll discuss how Maryland responded, why the region's economy depended on whiskey production, and what this event meant for the young United States. Joining us are Christopher Logsdon, President of the Allegany Museum, and Dave Williams from the Allegany County Historical Society, who share their knowledge of this fascinating chapter of Western Maryland and national history.
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July 27 · 43 min
Protecting Our Parks with Paul Coussan
Today we're joined by Paul Coussan, Vice President of Government Relations at the National Park Foundation, where he oversees efforts to lead, direct, and manage the Foundation’s government affairs portfolio. In this role, Paul engages with the Executive Branch and Congress as a trusted voice advocating for federal dollars to protect and enhance national parks.
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July 20 · 51 min
The Capitol with Brian J. Jones
Today we're joined by biographer Brian J. Jones about his latest book, 'The Capital,' a unique biography of the U.S. Capitol building. Together we'll explore the building's history, architectural details, political significance, and the personal stories intertwined with its evolution.
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July 15 · 51 min
Artists and the American Revolution with Zara Anishanslin
In this episode Zara Anishanslin discusses her new book 'The Painter's Fire,' exploring the often overlooked role of artists and material culture in the American Revolution. She highlights the importance of preservation and the interconnectedness of art, history, and politics.
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June 30 · 42 min
Ep. 6: The Legacy of Harriet Tubman
Harriet Tubman's story is often told through her extraordinary courage, but her deep connection to Maryland's landscapes is just as essential to understanding her legacy. In this episode, Angie Crenshaw, Director of the Maryland Park Service, explores how Tubman's early life on Maryland's Eastern Shore shaped the skills, resilience, and determination that enabled her to escape slavery and repeatedly return to lead others to freedom. Together, we discuss why place matters in preserving history, how Tubman's faith and unwavering sense of purpose guided her life's work, and how her legacy has evolved over generations. The conversation also highlights Maryland's ongoing efforts to preserve and interpret African American history through parks, historic sites, and new public resources, ensuring that Tubman's story—and the broader story of freedom, resilience, and self-determination—continues to inspire future generations.
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June 29 · 49 min
Brewing New Life into Historic Buildings with David Lopez
How do historic buildings become thriving breweries, restaurants, and gathering places? On this episode, we sit down with architect David Lopez, Principal at Twopoint Studio, to explore the intersection of historic preservation, adaptive reuse, and Maryland's brewing heritage. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience designing and rehabilitating historic buildings, David shares how old industrial spaces can be thoughtfully transformed while preserving the stories embedded in their walls. From iconic brewery projects like Guilford Hall, Diamondback, and Checkerspot to the broader role preservation plays in community revitalization, this conversation uncorks the fascinating relationship between architecture, history, and the places where we raise a glass. As part of Preservation Maryland's Spirited History series, it's a look at where preservation and alcohol truly converge.
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June 15 · 36 min
Say it with History with Holley Snaith
Today we're joined by Holley Snaith, fellow podcaster (Say it with History), historian and writer to discuss the digital preservation of history and a historical restoration project at Val-Kill, Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. Eleanor's Pictures - National Park Service My Website - www.holleysnaith.com Author Profile - American Masters Say It With History - Apple Podcasts or Spotify
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June 1 · 40 min
Maryland's Agricultural Heritage with Secretary Kevin Atticks
Join us as we sit down with Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Kevin Atticks to explore the connection between Maryland’s agricultural heritage and its thriving craft beverage industry. From the state’s early history of grain production and distilling to today’s farm breweries, wineries, distilleries, and cideries, we discuss how agriculture continues to shape Maryland’s economy, rural communities, and cultural identity. As the nation prepare to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, we also look at how these traditions connect the past to the future and what lies ahead for agriculture and craft beverage production. This episode is part of our "Spirted History" project supported by the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing Promotion Fund. Spirited History reflects our ongoing commitment to preserving not only historic places, but also the living traditions that define them.
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June 1 · 48 min
Ep. 5: The Free Press
May's Revolution@250 episode is here, focusing on the free press – and how ideas around free expression and freedom of speech impacted generations of Marylanders. We’ll explore how this core value of the revolutionary generation was embraced by Black Marylanders and the legacy of the Baltimore Afro-American, the longest-running African-American family-owned newspaper in the United States, established in 1892. Joining us today is Savannah Wood, an artist with deep roots in Baltimore and Los Angeles. As the Executive Director of Afro Charities, Wood is leading the charge to increase access to the 130+-year-old AFRO American Newspapers’ extensive archives. In this role, she has shepherded the organization through a period of historic growth, initiated new programming, and attracted support from national funders including the Mellon Foundation, the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and The Ruth Foundation. In this conversation, we’ll explore how the landscape of a free press in Maryland evolved, the challenges faced by the founders of the Baltimore Afro-American, and how the revolutionary concept of free speech was utilized by Black Americans to advocate, develop community, and document their experience in newspapers in Baltimore and beyond.
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May 19 · 36 min
We Make History with Jennifer Sieck
Jennifer Sieck (she/her) has been sharing stories of metropolitan Washington, D.C., through the Anacostia Community Museum’s collection and archives since 2018. In addition to curating We Make History, her recent projects include DC Women Speak and spotlights on D.C. artists and musicians. She holds an interdisciplinary PhD from George Washington University, specializing in African American literature and history. We Make History opens on May 30, 2026, the 185th anniversary of the day Adam Francis Plummer began his diary, one of the centerpieces of the show. It closes in January 2028. More info at https://anacostia.si.edu/wemakehistory
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May 11 · 40 min
Women Who Watched the Skies with Anne Dobberteen
Join us as we explore the history of women's roles in America's early air defense system during World War II with public historian and museum professional Anne Dobberteen. Today's episode focuses on the hidden figures behind the aircraft warning service in Washington, D.C.
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May 4 · 35 min
Developing Multi-Sensory Experiences with Dr. Cheryl Fogle-Hatch
Today's guest is Dr. Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, founder of MuseumSenses LLC, a consulting firm that helps museums develop multi-sensory exhibits for everyone, regardless of their visual acuity. Creating exhibit content with tactile and audio components engages blind people with history, the arts, and sciences. Exposing sighted people to tactile and audio content creates an integrated experience for all visitors.
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April 30 · 37 min
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.
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April 27 · 36 min
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.
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April 20 · 32 min
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.”
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April 13 · 32 min
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
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