Ben Franklin’s World

Dutch History of Christmas Treats With Peter Rose

December 24, 2022 by Liz Covart 2 Comments

Undoubtedly, you have heard or read Clement Moore’s famous poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (1822), but have you ever wondered where the traditions of stockings, presents, and cookies come from? And what about jolly old Saint Nick? Who was he and why do we call him Santa Claus?

In this episode of the “Ben Franklin’s World” podcast, Peter G. Rose, culinary historian of Dutch foodways in North America and author of Delicious December: How the Dutch Brought Us Santa, Presents, and Treats (SUNY Press, 2014), joins me to discuss the origins of Santa Claus, cookies, and more in the United States. [Read more…] about Dutch History of Christmas Treats With Peter Rose

Ken Burns’ Benjamin Franklin Documentary with Producer David Schmidt

May 4, 2022 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World Podcast, David Schmidt, a senior producer at Florentine Films and a senior producer on Ken Burns’ Benjamin Franklin, joins Liz to investigate documentary filmmaking and the life of Benjamin Franklin. [Read more…] about Ken Burns’ Benjamin Franklin Documentary with Producer David Schmidt

The British Are Coming: Independence and American Character

August 19, 2020 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

Book purchases made through this link support New York Almanack‘s mission to report new publications relevant to New York State.

The American Revolution is embedded in the American character. It’s an event that can tell us who we are, how we came to be who we are, and how we can strive to be who we want to be as a nation and people.

In this episode of Ben Franklin’s World: A Podcast About Early American History, Rick Atkinson, author of The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777 (Henry Holt & Company, 2019), joins us to explore how the War for Independence has impacted and shaped the American character.

Podcast: One Colonial Woman’s World

June 10, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

What was everyday life like for average men and women in early America?

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, Michelle Marchetti Coughlin, author of One Colonial Woman’s World: The Life and Writings of Mehetabel Chandler Coit (University of Massachusetts Press, 2012), joins us to explore the life of an average woman who lived in early New England. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/032

Benjamin Franklin and His Papers

June 3, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

Benjamin Franklin’s life spanned almost the entire 18th century.

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, Michael D. Hattem, research assistant for the Papers of Benjamin Franklin Documentary Editing Project, leads us on an exploration of the life and deeds of Benjamin Franklin. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/031

Second Great Awakening in Northern New England

May 27, 2015 by Liz Covart 1 Comment

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, Shelby M. Balik, author of Rally the Scattered Believers: Northern New England’s Religious Geography (Indiana University Press, 2014), joins us to explore the New England town-church ideal, how it helped New Englanders organize their towns, and why the post-Revolution migration into northern New England forced New Englanders to change and adapt how they maintained civic and moral order within their communities. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/030 [Read more…] about Second Great Awakening in Northern New England

Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776

February 4, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

When we think of North America in 1776, our minds take us to the Atlantic seaboard where inhabitants in thirteen colonies fought Great Britain for independence. However, as the American Revolution and its War for Independence raged, events occurred elsewhere in North America that would have important implications for the development of the later United States.

In this episode of the “Ben Franklin’s World” podcast, Claudio Saunt, the Richard B. Russell Professor of History at the University of Georgia and author of West of the Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776 (W.W. Norton, 2014), joins us to explore events that took place west of the American Revolution. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/014 [Read more…] about Revolution: An Uncommon History of 1776

Same-Sex Marriage in Early America

January 28, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

Did you know that some early Americans lived openly in same-sex marriages?

In this episode of the “Ben Franklin’s World” podcast, Rachel Hope Cleves, an Associate Professor of History at the University of Victoria in British Columbia and author of Charity and Sylvia: A Same-Sex Marriage in Early America, will reveal the story of Charity Bryant and Sylvia Drake, women who lived openly as a married couple in Weybridge, Vermont between 1807 and 1851. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/013 [Read more…] about Same-Sex Marriage in Early America

Early United States Trade with China

January 21, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

A mercantile partnership led by Robert Morris sent the Empress of China, a 360-ton ship to Canton, China one month and eight days after the Congress of the United States ratified the Treaty of Paris, 1783.

Why did these merchants look so far east to secure a profitable trade? And why did they attempt such a venture not long after the United States secured its independence from Great Britain?

In this episode of the “Ben Franklin’s World” podcast, Dane Morrison, Professor of History at Salem State University and author of True Yankees: The South Seas and the Discovery of American Identity, helps us discover the answers to these questions and more as he leads us on an exploration of the early American trade with China. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/012

The Woodlands Historic Site of Philadelphia

January 14, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

William Hamilton built The Woodlands mansion in Philadelphia in the 1760s. The estate stands as a tribute to the significant architectural and botanical contributions Hamilton made to Philadelphia and the young United States, including a part in the Lewis and Clark expedition.

This week on the “Ben Franklin’s World” podcast we speak with Jessica Baumert, the Executive Director of The Woodlands Historic Site in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/011 [Read more…] about The Woodlands Historic Site of Philadelphia