Pod-Textualizing the Past

Taylor Spence (Ph.D. MFA, Artist and Independent Scholar) will delve into the world of utopian communities in the nineteenth century and explain how and why they were formed.  From free love to rethinking how labor practices and gender roles were discussed, these communities shaped the development of early America. For more information on this topic, you may read Dr. Spence’s book, Grasping Democracy: The Settler Colonial Turn in Early National America or check out his website:  https://www.taylorwyoming.com/the-cowboy-flaneur-a-culture-blog

Sarah Jencks (History Co-Lab, A non-profit company) will discuss traveling in the 1820s.  While we may just hop in a plane or take our cars for travel, in the 1820s traveling around for pleasure was much more difficult.  It could involve steam ships, canal boats, or a stage coach and in the case of Ellin Curson it entailed all three.  Ellin left behind a diary that traces her 6 week trip from Baltimore to New York which reveals what it was like to be a young woman on a trip at this time. You can read a transcription of the diary and also find links to a map and the travel guide used on the trip here:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XU_PhqsCkL-91reSQ950RL-vEUYUaWn7B1v9HnCGhuQ/edit?invite=COa3lJIK  

Joshua Greenberg (Ph.D. American University) is the author of Banknotes and Shinplasters: The Rage for Paper Money in the Early Republic.  In this podcast Dr. Greenberg discusses the development and circulation of paper money in the early years of the United States and how it impacted the lives of the people in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Dr. Evan Elizabeth Hart (History-Missouri Western State University) discusses the history of abortion and birth control in this country beginning in the 1700’s.  When does life begin? What was important for women’s health? What kinds of birth control were available in the 18th and 19th centuries?  Dr. Hart answers these questions and more as she tracks the history of women’s reproductive health. 

Dr. Liz Covart (Ph.D. University of California-Davis) joins us today to discuss the first governing bodies and the document of the newly formed United States of America.  Creating a nation from separate colonies during a war for independence is no easy task.  The United States transitioned from the Continental Congress to the Congress of Confederation during the war, however after independence was confirmed with the Treaty of Paris (1783) how did governing work?   Liz Covart hosts the podcast, Ben Franklin’s World: A Podcast about early America https://benfranklinsworld.com/ It covers a variety of fascinating topics and is worth checking out. 

John Legg, (Ph.D. candidate, George Mason University) discusses the war with the Dakota in 1862 which took place in south central Minnesota.  Legg has studied the Dakota extensively for years and his Master’s degree focused on the war and historical memory. John has a book chapter that will be published soon on the Oregon Trail video game—an old school game that certainly inspired many people to study history.  You can follow him on Twitter @thejohnlegg

Jose Miguel Chavez Leyva, (Ph.D. candidate, University of Texas at El Paso) discusses the Pueblo Revolt of 1680, that took place in modern day New Mexico.  The Pueblo challenged the Spanish occupation of their lands preserving their autonomy.  Leyva studies environmental history and native groups in the Southwest Borderlands from the pre-Columbian era to the Spanish Colonial era, and through the modern era. For further information about his research see his website: https://www.josemleyva.com/

Courtney Cauthon, historian and period seamstress joins us today for a discussion of 19th century fashion and the dress reform movement.  Cauthon explains why this movement is important and why the study of dress and fashion helps us understand the past.  You can find out more about this topic at Cauthon’s website https://www.thebarefoothistorian.com

Dr. Bridget Marshall (English-University of Massachusetts-Lowell) gives us the scoop on the Lowell Mills and the female workforce that kept them running. What was daily life like for a mill girl?  How were mill workers portrayed in popular culture?  In this podcast, these issues and more are discussed. You can follow Dr. Marshall on twitter @factorygothic. 

Dr. Bridget Marshall (English-University of Massachusetts-Lowell) discusses accusations of witchcraft and witchcraft trials in British North America, focusing on two cases (Mary Parsons and Mary Webster) that took place before the Salem trials in 1692-1693.  You can follow her on twitter @factorygothic.