Revolution@250: Jim Henson

In this episode, we look at a creative revolution led by Jim Henson. Best known as the creator of The Muppets, Henson transformed puppetry, television, and storytelling by blending imagination, technology, and deep humanity. His creative journey began in Maryland, where his early experiences helped shape a vision that would influence generations.Our guest is Karen Falk, Archives Director and historian for The Jim Henson Company and Vice President of The Jim Henson Legacy. Since 1992, she has preserved and interpreted Henson’s life and work. Karen is the author of Imagination Illustrated: The Jim Henson Journal, a curator of major exhibitions including Jim Henson’s Fantastic World, and a key collaborator with institutions such as the Center for Puppetry Arts and the Museum of the Moving Image.

In this episode, Dr. Brian Goldstein discusses the life and work of Max Bond, a pioneering African American architect committed to social change through architecture. Discover how Bond's experiences, from Ghana to Harlem, shaped his approach to design and activism.

Explore the fascinating intersection of genetic genealogy, forensic science, and historical research with Allison Peacock of FHD Forensics. Discover how DNA analysis is uncovering stories from the past, solving mysteries, and aiding in historic preservation.Support the identification of the Camden Fourteen!

In this episode, Braden Bumpers, co-founder of McClintock Distilling in Frederick, Md., explores the revival of Maryland’s historic distilling tradition. He shares how the distillery combines historic preservation, locally grown heritage grains, sustainable agriculture, and traditional craftsmanship to create distinctive Maryland spirits. From restoring historic buildings in Frederick to working directly with local farmers and using traditional stone milling techniques, Bumpers explains how McClintock connects history, agriculture, and craftsmanship. The conversation also explores Maryland’s whiskey roots, the future of heritage grains, collaboration within the state’s distilling industry, and the growing opportunity to build a uniquely Maryland whiskey identity. *This episode is part of PreserveCast’s “Spirited History” project, supported by the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing Promotion Fund

We're back with a past guest Danielle Del Sol, president and CEO of the Preservation Foundation of Palm Beach and the former executive director of the Preservation Resource Center of New Orlean. She shares her journey to preservation leadership, contrasting preservation in New Orleans and Palm Beach, and discusses innovative projects like climate resilience and community engagement.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.