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New History Twins Podcast: This Man’s A Spy!

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History Twins PodcastThis week is the debut of The History Twins podcast, storytelling duo Carla Lynne Hall and Jim Keyes discuss the creative process behind the stories and music of their historical programs.

This episode explores “This Man’s A Spy!,” Carla and Keyes’ musical retelling of the treasonous plot between American General Benedict Arnold and British Major John Andre during the American Revolutionary War. The two met in Haverstraw, New York to hand over the plans to West Point, and their lives were forever changed. The Arnold and André affair is important, because had their plan succeeded, the British could have won the Revolutionary War. [Read more…] about New History Twins Podcast: This Man’s A Spy!

New Book: Taking Sides in Revolutionary New Jersey

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Taking Sides in Revolutionary New JerseyThe new book Taking Sides in Revolutionary New Jersey: Caught in the Crossfire (Rutgers University Press, 2022) by Maxine N. Lurie looks back at the American Revolution in New Jersey, and the residents that took stands that varied from “Loyalist” to “Patriot” to neutral and/or “trimmer” (those who changed sides for a variety of reasons). [Read more…] about New Book: Taking Sides in Revolutionary New Jersey

Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution

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rebels at seaThe story of the founding of the U.S. Navy during the American Revolution has been told many times, yet largely missing from maritime histories of the war is the ragtag fleet of private vessels that truly revealed the new nation’s character ― above all, its ambition and entrepreneurial ethos.

Privateers were privately owned vessels, mostly refitted merchant ships, that were granted permission by the new government to seize British merchantmen and men of war. At a time when the young Continental Navy numbered no more than about sixty vessels all told, privateers rushed to fill the gaps. Nearly 2,000 set sail over the course of the war, with tens of thousands of Americans serving on them and capturing some 1,800 British ships. [Read more…] about Rebels at Sea: Privateering in the American Revolution

Marinus Willett to NY’s Birthday (Historians Podcast Highlights)

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The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, a highlights podcast with excerpts from six episodes. Topics include:

Early American patriot Marinus Willett, a key figure in the Revolutonary War at Fort Stanwix and Fort Plain in the Mohawk Valley who, according to New York City correspondent Jim Kaplan, later became Mayor of New York City. [Read more…] about Marinus Willett to NY’s Birthday (Historians Podcast Highlights)

American Revolution Conference Set for March 18-20

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Surrender of Lord CornwallisThe 9th Annual Conference on the American Revolution has been set for March 18th through 20th, in Williamsburg, Virginia.

This conference features scholars, historians and writers who are well-known to Revolutionary War enthusiasts, public historians and history professors. Speakers have been selected for their depth of knowledge and ability to give an engaging presentation.

All proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Fort Plain Museum and Historical Park by America’s History LLC, the organizers of the conference. [Read more…] about American Revolution Conference Set for March 18-20

Thomas Paine’s Lost Body

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a new york minute in history podcastIn the first episode of the A New York Minute in History podcast’s 2022 season, Devin Lander and Lauren Roberts look to a William G. Pomeroy Foundation historical roadside marker in Westchester County to learn about American patriot Thomas Paine, his influence on the American and French Revolutions – and just how and why his body went missing.  Guests include Dr. Nora Slonimsky and Dr. Michael Crowder of the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona College.

The sign is one of hundreds reviewed by New York Almanack founder and editor John Warren in his role as a Pomeroy Foundation Grant Consultant. You can learn how to apply for your own historic sign here. [Read more…] about Thomas Paine’s Lost Body

Remembering New York City’s Evacuation Day

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The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, attorney and historian Jim Kaplan discusses the significance of Evacuation Day and how the day has been commemorated through the years. A print version of this story previously appeared in New York Almanack.

Evacuation Day was November 25th, 1783, the day British troops left New York City after the American Revolution. [Read more…] about Remembering New York City’s Evacuation Day

A Historians Podcast Highlights Show

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The Historians LogoThis week on The Historians Podcast, a Highlights Episode. Jim Kaplan on Rich Rescorla’s heroism in the 2001 World Trade Center attack, Bob Cudmore has stories from his Daily Gazette and Recorder newspaper history columns, Joyce Stah on the history of WMHT’s audio service for the blind, Katie Turner Getty on Britain’s use of prison ships in the American Revolution, Dana Cudmore on exploring caves in Schoharie and Albany counties. [Read more…] about A Historians Podcast Highlights Show

New Film Seeks To Rehabilitate Benedict Arnold

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Benedict Arnold_Hero BetrayedLegacy Distribution will debut Benedict Arnold: Hero Betrayed, a documentary that claims to capture “the brutal hardships of the revolutionary war and the heroic deeds of a man scorned by history.”

The feature-length film challenges the long-standing narrative of Benedict Arnold as a traitor and places him among the names of American war heroes, with its in-depth interviews with historians and re-enactments featuring Peter O’Meara (Knightfall, Band of Brothers) and narrated by Martin Sheen (The West Wing, The Departed). [Read more…] about New Film Seeks To Rehabilitate Benedict Arnold