New York State Podcasts

We publish several podcast announcements each week. You can find them all here.

If you produce a podcast about an aspect of New York State and want to have it noticed here, e-mail editor John Warren at nyalmanack@gmail.com

Historic Hudson Valley & Washington Irving

July 1, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

Washington Irving was an historian and writer. Some historians and biographers have called him the first great American author.

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, Michael Lord, Director of Education at Historic Hudson Valley, joins us to explore the life of Washington Irving, his home, Sunnyside, and the historic Hudson Valley region he immortalized in stories such as Diedrich Knickerbocker’s History of New York, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” and “Rip Van Winkle.”

Bernard Cornwell and The Battle of Waterloo

June 26, 2015 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

This week “The Historians” podcast features an interview with Bernard Cornwell, the author of Waterloo: The History of Four Days, Three Armies, and Three Battles (Harper, 2015). Listen here. [Read more…] about Bernard Cornwell and The Battle of Waterloo

Life And Times of Andrew Jackson, Southerner

June 24, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

During his lifetime, Jackson served as one of the most popular presidents and yet, today we remember him as a controversial figure given his views on slavery, Native Americans, and banks.

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, Mark R. Cheathem, professor of history at Cumberland University and author of Andrew Jackson, Southerner (LSU Press, 2013), leads us on an exploration of the life and times of Andrew Jackson. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/034

The Hidden History of America at War

June 19, 2015 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

This week “The Historians” podcast features an interview with Ken Davis, author of The Hidden History of America at War: Untold Tales from Yorktown to Fallujah (Hachette, 2015). Davis is also the author of the Don’t Know Much About series of history books, with more than 4 million copies in print worldwide. Listen on Soundcloud here. [Read more…] about The Hidden History of America at War

The George Washington Presidential Library

June 17, 2015 by Liz Covart Leave a Comment

Did you know that George Washington loved to read?

In this episode of the Ben Franklin’s World podcast, we chat with Douglas Bradburn, the Founding Director of the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of George Washington, which serves as the George Washington Presidential Library. You can listen to the podcast here: www.benfranklinsworld.com/033

Folk Singer Dave Ruch On “The Historians” Podcast

June 12, 2015 by Bob Cudmore 2 Comments

This week “The Historians” podcast features an interview with performer and teaching artist Dave Ruch from Buffalo. Ruch will perform traditional and historical songs of New York State at 7 p.m. on Saturday June 13 at the Mabee Farm Historic Site on Route 5-S in Rotterdam Junction, N.Y. The Radio Rounders will entertain as well. The event features beer, wine and snacks and is sponsored by the Schenectady County Historical Society. Listen online here.
[Read more…] about Folk Singer Dave Ruch On “The Historians” Podcast

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

The Legacy of Fort Plain Inventor William Yerdon

June 9, 2015 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

A foundation named for a Fort Plain inventor and his wife, both born in the 19th century, continues to support local charitable organizations. William Yerdon was born in the town of Minden, NY in 1843. He married Sylvina “Vina” Barker in 1881.

Born in Canada, Vina Barker had studied telegraphy and came to Fort Plain in 1876 as a telegraph operator for the New York Central Railroad. She kept her job for about a year after marrying Yerdon, a businessman and Fort Plain postmaster who patented the Yerdon Double Hose Band in 1890. [Read more…] about The Legacy of Fort Plain Inventor William Yerdon

Underground RR Researcher Tom Calarco Interview

June 5, 2015 by Bob Cudmore Leave a Comment

This week “The Historians” podcast features an interview with Tom Calarco, who has written six books on the Underground Railroad. Calarco and Don Papson are co authors of Secret Lives of the Underground Railroad in New York City: Sydney Howard Gay, Louis Napoleon and The Record of Fugitives. (McFarland, 2015). Listen at “The Historians” online archive here.
[Read more…] about Underground RR Researcher Tom Calarco Interview

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