Historic Preservation and the New Deal with Dr. Stephanie Gray

Today we're joined by Dr. Stephanie Gray, discussing how the New Deal shaped history through politically driven commemoration and her new book, Restoring America: Historic Preservation and the New Deal. Dr. Gray earned her B.A. in History from Mount Holyoke College and both M.A. in Public History and Ph.D. in U.S. History from the University of South Carolina. Stephanie specializes in public history, historic preservation, and twentieth century U.S. cultural history. At Duquesne, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in both traditional and public history, which contribute to the Department's new Public History undergraduate certificate.  As a public historian, Stephanie has worked for the James A. Garfield National Historic Site (a National Park Service unit), the South Carolina State Historic Preservation Office, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Main Street America program. Her interest in old buildings and cultural landscapes inform her research and teaching on the built environment.  To purchase: https://www.umasspress.com/9781625348975/restoring-america/  

Are you starting to get into the holiday spirit? In this episode, we’re joined by Pamela McColl—award-winning author, publisher, and historian of Christmas tradition. Since the 1990s, McColl has worked through her own publishing company to bring books of social and historical significance to readers. Her latest work, Wondrous Mrs. Claus: A Literary and Pictorial Review of the Christmas Character, delves deeply into the origins, evolution, and cultural impact of Santa’s better half. Join us as we explore the rich history and enduring magic of Mrs. Claus. To purchase: https://politics-prose.com/book/9781927979389?srsltid=AfmBOop2v7gn2gvOqINiEaWn2LhVOzt00mZT7273pF40S2mwqxvziIGI

Today we're joined by Benjamin Prosky and Will Hamilton of the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation to discuss the organization's latest report on the State of American Historic Preservation Education, calling for rebranding, resilience, and workforce growth. More here: https://www.jenrette.org/archive/preservationeducationreport

Historian Richard Bell received his PhD from Harvard University and his BA from the University of Cambridge. His research explores American history between 1750 and 1877, uncovering the people, politics, and paradoxes that shaped the early republic. Bell’s newest book, The American Revolution and the Fate of the World (Penguin/Riverhead, 2025), has earned starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, and Kirkus Reviews for its sweeping and deeply researched look at the global impact of America’s founding event. On November 14, the Maryland Center for History and Culture will host a preview screening of Ken Burns’ The American Revolution, an expansive and evenhanded exploration of the virtues and contradictions at the heart of independence. Following the screening, Richard will moderate a panel discussion delving into the film’s themes and what they reveal about civic engagement today. Register for the event here: Preview Screening: The American Revolution and Civic Engagement Night

Today we're joined by Despina Stratigakos and Elana Shapira about their new book, Finding Ella Briggs: The Life and Work of an Unconventional Architect. Ella Briggs was a talented architect, designer, and writer whose influence was felt on both sides of the Atlantic. She trained with the Viennese Secessionists and brought their radical ideas to Gilded Age New York. She designed modernist housing for the masses in Austria, was jailed as a suspected spy in Mussolini’s Italy, and thrived in Weimar Germany before suffering persecution under the Nazis. Fleeing to London, she contributed to England’s postwar reconstruction. Yet despite a long and prolific career, her name is largely forgotten today. Finding Ella Briggs restores Briggs to her rightful place in the history of modernist design. To purchase: https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691263953/finding-ella-briggs?_gl=1*m5kt06*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTMxMTM1OTU5Ny4xNzQzMTczMTE1*_ga_N1W9JWKLY3*MTc0MzQyMzU2Mi41LjAuMTc0MzQyMzU2Mi4wLjAuMTc5NTE3MjM2MA..

Today, ahead of Maryland Emancipation Day on November 1, we're joined by Alex Green, president and chief interpreter at the Harriet Tubman Freedom Center in Cambridge, Maryland, as well as founder of Harriet Tubman Tours. Come along as Alex discusses his work in education and heritage tourism. 

Today we're talking with Dr. Vaughn Scribner about his book, Under Alien Skies: Environment, Suffering, and the Defeat of the British Military in Revolutionary America. Vaughn is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Central Arkansas. In addition to his latest book, he is also the author of Merpeople: A Human History (Reaktion Books, 2020), and Inn Civility: Urban Taverns and Early American Civil Society (NYU Press, 2019)—in addition to numerous articles, book chapters, and other publications. He is currently writing a biography of America’s original celebrity “influencer,” Lord Timothy Dexter of Newburyport, Massachusetts (1747-1806). https://uncpress.org/book/9781469680774/under-alien-skies This episode is sponsored by The Landmark Trust USA

Cory McCray is a journeyman electrician, father of four, and public servant who proudly represents East and Northeast Baltimore in the Maryland State Senate. As the only member of the Maryland General Assembly to have completed a registered apprenticeship, he brings an unwavering commitment to expanding access, uplifting working families, and removing barriers to opportunity. Raised in Baltimore City, Cory’s life was transformed through an apprenticeship with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 24. That experience not only gave him a career, but a calling—and led him to invest in real estate as a tool for stabilizing neighborhoods, win elected office, and pass over 100 pieces of legislation aimed at equity and economic mobility. His debut book, The Apprenticeship That Saved My Life, is a blueprint for those navigating the “earn-while-you-learn” path and a call to action for educators, policymakers, and mentors to see the potential in every young person. When he’s not in Annapolis or working in the community, you can find Cory cheering on his daughters at track meets / tennis matches or walking his sons into basketball practice—deeply grounded in family, faith, and the future of Baltimore. To purchase: https://www.amazon.com/Apprenticeship-that-Saved-Life-Earn-While-You-Learn/dp/1636986897 Thank you to this episode's sponsor, The Landmark Trust USA

Today's episode is a re-release of an episode that originally aired in 2020 with guest Tom Moriarity, a legendary preservationist who passed away in late September. Tom was a pioneer in historic preservation, co-founding the Main Street program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which has since revitalized over 2,000 towns and generated $115B in reinvestment.  In this revisited conversation we discuss why do we do what we do and why don’t others understand why it’s so important? Those are the driving questions that prompted Tom Moriarity to dive into a discourse on what preservation needs in the years ahead. It’s a big task – but one that we need to constantly revisit if we hope to save places that truly matter.  

Today we're joined by Kevin Miller, an architect who also serves as the President of the Board of Baltimore Architecture Foundation. Kevin and his team have been preparing for Doors Open Baltimore, an annual city-wide festival honoring Baltimore’s diverse cultural tapestry by highlighting its vibrant neighborhoods, captivating architecture, and distinctive spaces that contribute to the city’s exceptional charm. Kevin obtained a BS in Architecture and a Master of Architecture from Ball State University in May 2017 and has been working professionally as an architectural designer for the last five years. He is a digital artist, author, parametric designer, and thought leader with a strong interest in computational design, architectural interiors, design details at all scales, and visual representation. Kevin is always excited to learn new skills and connect with other people who share a passion for design