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Embark with us on a highway through history as we unravel the fabric of America's love affair with her roads. From the meticulous preservation efforts of past pathways in Frederick County to the lonely stretches of Nevada's Route 50, this episode is a true homage to the arteries that have shaped our nation. With guest Bob Savitt, we witness the celebratory opening of a museum dedicated to the National Road, the very first highway funded by the federal government. Join us as we discuss its evolution from trade route to leisure destination.
Saturday April 27, 9am - 5pm during the Boonsboro Spring Jubilee. A townwide spring festival with activities at several local businesses, all of the museums and in the park. The town is also planning to have carriage rides available!Sunday May 19, 11am - 4pm, during the arrival of the National Road Wagon Train, a collection of horse-drawn wagons that makes the three-day journey on the National Pike from Clear Spring just west of the city, through Hagerstown and Funkstown and ending their trip in Boonsboro.Saturday June 1, hours TBD. The peak date of the National Road Yard Sale where people along the road from Baltimore to St. Louis set up yard sales on the same weekend, and the last Saturday of the Boonsboro Fire Department Carnival in the park just behind the museums.
🚦 Road Evolution 🚗
Discover the various innovations in road development, from ancient Macadam techniques to modern paving, and how these advancements reflect America's cultural and infrastructural growth. The conversation also highlights the Good Roads Movement and the advent of automobiles, mapping out how these critical shifts influenced the way we experience road travel today.
🛣️ Time Traveler's Rest 🕰️
Finally, take a brief respite at some historical mile markers, the original rest stops that offered sanctuary for weary travelers and their steeds. So tune in, fasten your seatbelt, and prepare for a ride through time on the fascinating roads of America's past.
The open houses we will be holding for the National Road Museum will be:
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🔗 Episode Links
National Road Heritage Foundation https://nationalrdfoundation.org/national-road-museum/
Direct donation link for the National Road Museum to make sure we can get several of the exhibits completed before the opening in October: https://www.paypal.com/donate?token=pywWjsWVvmG2SuAg8IrmK7rK62NUPn0mHW_QGTVedC8mMCisLKz-X9P1XaQR1byC58M8LvdV8eCZLiH9
Maryland Byways tour information for people who want to do a roadtrip on the Maryland segment of the road: https://www.visitmaryland.org/scenic-byways/historic-national-road
Hagerstown & Frederick Railway Historical Society (for the trolley history): https://hfrhs.orgCurator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Embark on a journey into the heart of Baltimore where the first dental school took root, revolutionizing oral health care. We'll reveal the pivotal moments that sparked the dire need for dental regulation, from sideshow jaw hackers to educated dentistry professionals.
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🔧 From Baltimore's Roots to Regal Dentures 🦷
With Scott Swank as our guide, we reveal the pivotal moments that sparked the need for regulation, professional associations, and medical journals, transforming the landscape of dentistry. From extracting teeth from the mouths of the city's poorest to showcasing the most luxurious dental tools fit for royalty, we delve into the stark contrast between the struggles of early dental care and the opulence of elite dentistry.
😁 Teeth, Technology, and Oral Narratives 🧚♂️
Hear the captivating truth behind George Washington's dentures, a tale far removed from the myth of wooden chompers. Get the inside scoop on the intricate craftsmanship of these dental devices, made from materials like hippopotamus ivory, and the exclusive nature of dentures in the 18th century. We pay homage to John Greenwood, Washington's trusted dentist, whose skill with dentures proved indispensable to our nation's first president. Join us as we sift through the complex layers of this historic dental story, from the origins of oral folklore to stem cell innovations in tooth replacement.
🔗 Episode Links:
The Dr. Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry: www.dentalmuseum.comCurator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Step into the whispered secrets of the past and uncover the echoes of history within the walls of the Lee-Fendall House. With our guide, Jenny Waters, we stroll through the timeline of this architectural marvel, from its conception in 1785 by Philip Richard Fendall to its dramatic roles during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. We'll weigh the gravity of a potential name change for this historic house museum, contemplating the delicate balance between historical accuracy and the enduring legacy of its name as we near its 50th anniversary as a cherished public space.
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🕵️♂️ Whispers of the Past: Intrigues and Intricacies within Lee-Fendall's Walls
The lives that intertwined with the Lee-Fendall House are as varied as they are compelling. We trace the ownership from the poignant story of Dr. Robert Fleming, whose chapter at the house was cut short by tuberculosis, to Robert Downham, a Freemason and business titan whose Prohibition-era adventures still linger in the home's aura. As we reveal the storied past of these walls, you'll hear about the high-profile guests, the whispers of undercover liquor trade, and the curious mysteries left behind, culminating in our annual fundraiser that draws inspiration from these Prohibition tales.
🏛️🔍 From Cane Chronicles to Prohibition Tales: Unveiling the Legacy of John L. Lewis
Closing our exploration, we delve into the complex persona of John L. Lewis, the final private owner of the house, whose leadership in the labor movement left an indelible mark on American history. His intriguing cane collection offers a physical connection to the past, with each piece holding its own hidden narrative, including a cane with a secret message that sheds light on the intimate bond between historic figures and their cherished possessions. Prepare to connect with history in a way you've never experienced before, as these artifacts bridge the gap between yesterday's stories and today's reflections.
🔗 Episode Links:
Lee-Fendall House Gardens & Museum: https://leefendallhouse.org/
The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, (1861-65): https://archive.org/details/b21934629_0003Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Step into the glittering past of Las Vegas and discover how the city's infamous mobsters played a pivotal role in its rise to fame. Our journey chronicles the visionaries like Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel, who laid the foundations of modern Vegas, and the likes of Moe Dalitz and Benny Binion, who left indelible marks on the city's landscape. Listen to the tales of ambition, power, and downfall that encapsulate the era when the mob ran the roost - a time that forever changed the face of this desert oasis and turned it into an international haven for entertainment and sin.
🔒 Unlocking America's Criminal Underbelly
This episode offers a rare glimpse into Al Capone's empire-building tactics, where talent trumped ethnicity and law enforcement's battle against the cunning of organized crime led to monumental advancements in policing. We don't just recount these tales; we dissect the symbiotic evolution of criminal enterprises and crime-fighting techniques that have shaped American society. Join us for a narrative that juxtaposes the mob's ruthless reality with its glamorized pop culture image, revealing the true cost of crime.🔗 Episode Links:
Mob Museum https://themobmuseum.org/
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Step into the quirky and captivating realm of the Poozeum, where fossilized feces are not only objects of curiosity but also a cultural phenomenon reshaping our understanding of natural history. Guiding you through this journey is your host Ayla Sparks and Coprolite Captain George Frandsen, who boasts an extraordinary repository of over 8,000 coprolites and holds two Guinness World records.
💩 Unveiling the Secrets of Fossilized Droppings
These coprolites aren't your garden-variety rocks; they're fossilized droppings that offer a unique glimpse into the diets and lifestyles of ancient earthlings. In this episode, we delve into George's remarkable journey—from his first encounter with a coprolite to his ascent as a world record holder.
🦕 VIP's (Very Important Poops)
Witness the transformation of this unparalleled collection from a digital marvel to a dynamic traveling exhibit, breathing new life into museum halls and captivating audiences of all ages. Prepare to be amazed by the tales of these fossil VIPs (Very Important Poops), from specimens bearing evidence of shark bites to the largest coprolite fossil in the world.
🏆 Securing a Guinness World Record...of Feces!
George shares the meticulous process behind earning a coveted spot in the Guinness World Records and extends an open invitation to explore the Poozeum's offerings. Whether you're a seasoned natural history enthusiast or simply someone who appreciates the educational and unconventional, this episode promises a story unlike any other.
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Episode Links
Poozeum website: https://poozeum.com
Turtle Shell Impression in a Coprolite by Godfrey, Weems, and Palmer: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10420940.2017.1386662?scroll=top&needAccess=true
Poozeum Etsy Store: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PoozeumCurator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Step aboard a journey through time as we illuminate the remarkable tale of the Drum Point Lighthouse! Your host Ayla Sparks and guest Kevin Allor guide you through the immersive chronicles of this iconic beacon and the dedicated souls who tended to its flame. From guiding vessels through the Chesapeake Bay's misty waters in the 1800s to its triumphant resurgence following years of neglect, the Drum Point Lighthouse's saga is as captivating as the resilient keepers who ensured its luminance never dimmed.
🏡 Cottage-Style Design and Daily Keeper Lives
Step into the quaint quarters of the Drum Point Lighthouse and explore the ingenious screw pile cottage-style design that anchored it in the soft silt of the Chesapeake Bay. Experience the daily challenges of isolation faced by the keepers and delve into their captivating stories forever etched in lighthouse logbooks.
📚 U.S. Lighthouse Service Library BoxExplore the day-to-day life of the Weems and Yeatman families who made it their home. Their narratives, marked by ingenuity and resilience, reveal the reality of living in isolation, relying on innovative solutions for supply deliveries, and the comfort brought by the US Lighthouse Service Library boxes – a fascinating traveling library that brought literary treasures to the keepers and their families.
📜 A Legacy Preserved
Through meticulous record-keeping and relics from the Drum Point Lighthouse, this episode pieces together a life of reliance on the Chesapeake's bounty, the innovative use of fog warning systems, and the personal triumphs amidst societal upheavals, including Prohibition and World War II. Heartwarming heroics and lively tales of illicit activities color the history of these guardians of the light.
Episode Links
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Calvert Marine Museum: https://www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Discover a treasure trove of history as your host Ayla Sparks, along with guest Jess Cragg, take you through the industrial evolution of Pensacola, Florida. Our episode unearths how the Industrial Revolution reshaped a fort town into a center of progress, revealing the ingenuity behind Snapper Smacks and the monumental role of trains like the T.R. Miller Mill Company Steam Engine #12. As we walk through time, you'll be captivated by the narratives of industries, from timber to turpentine, that left an indelible mark on the Gulf Coast.
🌊 Maritime Saga: Red Snapper Industry
Step into the past with vibrant tales of Pensacola's maritime saga, where the red snapper industry reigned supreme before succumbing to overfishing and ecological challenges. We canvas the transformative impact of trains on the local economy and share the poignant history of brick making in a sandy region. The rise of the Pensacola Ice Company and its revolutionary fish preservation methods unfold, painting a picture of innovation amidst adversity. The Museum of Industry stands as a testament to these stories, with artifacts that connect you to a time of bustling industry and cultural richness.
☠️ Pirate Archaeology and Turpentine?
Shift to the darker side of the Gulf of Mexico as we explore pirate archaeology and the turpentine industry's reliance on penal labor. Discover the realities of the pirate's life beyond romanticized tales through the co-authored book "Deadman's Chest." Jess Cragg's insights provide a unique lens into the past that continues to shape the present and future of this coastal gem.
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Episode Links:
"Dead Man's Chest: Exploring the Archaeology of Piracy" Co-authored by Jess Cragg: https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/227/edited_volume/book/111420
Guest:
Jessie Cragg earned her Bachelors in History, with a minor in Archaeology, from the University of Georgia. She earned her Master's in History/Public History from the University of West Florida, focusing on colonial and early republic maritime history. She has previously worked for Gulf Islands National Seashore, the Pensacola Lighthouse & Maritime Museum, and Emerald Coast Tours but is currently the Curator of Exhibits at the UWF Historic Trust. She also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Pensacola History Illustrated, a publication of the Historic Trust. She is currently the Vice President of the Northwest Florida Maritime Landscape Alliance for Preservation, and recently co-authored a book chapter with Mike Thomin on identifying pirates in the archaeological record. Jessie is also a certified SCUBA diver, and is about to start the Heritage Awareness Diver specialty course, so while not at work she spends most of her spare time under the water.Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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On today’s episode, join host Ayla Sparks as she embarks on a captivating journey through the evolution of roadway travel at the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum in Luray, Virginia. Our guest, Rod Graves, takes us on a tour of this remarkable institution, showcasing over 140 items that paint a vivid picture of transportation history. From the opulent mid-18th century Berlin Coup de Gala, emblematic of Portuguese nobility's grandeur, to the utilitarian charm of horsehair blankets and coal boxes that tell tales of early travelers' resourcefulness—this episode is a treasure trove for aficionados of motion and mechanics. Rod illuminates how the humble pursuits of the common man have propelled society forward, with artifacts that echo the cultural reverberations of their era.
🕰️ Uncovering History: The 1898 Benz Vis a VisDive into the intriguing story behind the 1898 Benz Vis a Vis, a vehicle with roots tracing back to Carl Benz, often regarded as the father of the modern automobile. Learn how the Vis a Vis, meaning "face to face" in French, reflects the evolution of the automobile industry from horse-drawn carriages to the front-facing designs we know today. Explore the unique features that make this vehicle a timeless piece of automotive history.
🏰 Opulence Among Nobility: The Berlin Coupe de Gala
Switching gears (pun intended), we unravel the fascinating history of the mid-18th-century gilded coach—the Berlin Coupe de Gala. This opulent Berlin Carriage revolutionized travel for Portuguese nobility, incorporating a leather strap suspension system Remarkably, this carriage stands as one of the oldest on permanent display in the United States!
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#CuratorsChoice #RoadwayTravel #TransportationHistory #CarMuseum #ArtOnWheels #BenzVisaVis #BerlinCoupeDeGala #PortugueseNobility #GildedCoach #PodcastJourneyCurator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Curator’s Choice is back and better than ever! We're thrilled to unveil a fresh design, upgraded mic equipment, and an array of new museums and artifacts to share with you. Get ready for some upcoming highlights, including a visit to the Poozeum – yes, you heard that right! We'll also be exploring the enchanting Drum Point Lighthouse, the delectable Southern Food and Beverage Museum, and so much more. Could an interview with the Smithsonian Museum be in the cards? From ancient relics to modern marvels, brace yourself for a season filled with exhilarating artifacts and captivating guest interviews!
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Continuing our trek in Luray, Virginia, I meet with Isabela Graves from the Shenandoah Heritage Village Museum. She shares the incredible work she and her husband have been doing to preserve the history of the valley, and some truly spectacular artifacts housed there.
Shenandoah Heritage Village website: https://luraycaverns.com/attractions/shenandoah-heritage-village/
Shenandoah Heritage Village
The Shenandoah Heritage Village is a seven-acre re-creation of a small 19th-century farming community made up of restored historic buildings, cottage-style gardens, and a small vineyard with a scenic mountain backdrop. They even have a cafe and gem mining sluice!
Iron Stoves
It was a very complicated process, to create the highly decorated iron stoves. The artists would have to carve their designs to create a wooden mold. Then that carving would be pressed into very hard sand, so molten iron could be poured in. These different plates of iron would then be assembled into a stove that could replace large, dangerous hearths. They were safer, easier to cook with, and really revolutionized kitchen life for colonials. And they were made with incredibly elaborate designs.
1539 Bible
This bible was not only an important religious relic but also a catalog of historic events. It was printed in Zurich, Switzerland in 1536 by Christopher Froschauer who was a printer of the Swiss Reformation. It has illustrations painted by Hans Holbein the Younger, the King's Painter to Henry VIII of England.
Episode Links:
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693zJK8ixiHithOu3Y5CCurator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we head to Virginia to visit Luray Caverns, the most highly decorated caverns in the world according to the Smithsonian. In this episode, we hear from three professionals who share the history of the caverns, the science behind the decorating formations, and how The Great Stalacpipe Organ creates music.
Phantom ChasersLuray Caverns was discovered on August 13th, 1878 by three local men: Andrew J. Campbell (a local tinsmith), William Campbell, and local photographer Benton Stebbins. These fellows were prospecting for a show cave as they knew of a cave in southern Virginia that was open and giving tours. If they could find a cave, they too could make some money.
They spent a whole summer looking at every sinkhole on every farmer's land, all around town. The townspeople thought they were crazy, calling them “Phantom Chasers”. Eventually, the group came across one particular sinkhole. When they put their hands down, they felt cool air coming out of a quarter-size hole in the ground. They enlarged the hole enough for one man, Andrew Campbell, to slide down on a rope with a candle in hand. They discovered what they were looking for, one of the largest caverns in the world.
The Science of Cavern DecorCavern formations are created when water on the surface infiltrates into the ground. It picks up minerals that are in the soil and rock as it seeps into the earth.
Eventually, it enters the cavern system through microscopic pores in the rock. As the water drips and flows in, it deposits those minerals along the ceilings, walls, and floors. And over many, many years those minerals build up and reconstitute into these larger formations.
The Great Stalacpipe Organ
On average, scientists estimate that formations at Luray take around 120 years to grow one cubic inch. The largest formation in the cavern system is 40 feet tall, 120 feet in circumference at the base, and is an estimated seven and a half million years old. It’s called the Giant Redwood Tree as it resembles the trunk of a giant Sequoia.Mr. Leland Sprinkles brought his son to Luray Caverns for his fifth birthday. At the time, tour guides would play a tune on the stalactites and stalagmites by striking them with a mallet. This gave Mr. Sprinkles, an engineer and organist, the idea to create a playable organ using the cave’s formations. With an agreement over a handshake, Sprinkles began developing the organ.
He would scout for tones by striking the formations and pick those that were closest. Then he would tune them to concert pitch by sanding them down. It was first played in 1957 and is still in use today. It covers three and a half acres, making it the world’s largest natural musical instrument!
Luray Caverns webpage: https://luraycaverns.com/Discovery of Luray Caverns, Virginia by Russell H. Gurneebook: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/discovery-of-luray-caverns-virginia_russell-h-gurnee/1801668/item/8715266/#edition=727824&idiq=32909429Support the show
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we meet with Julia Rose at the Marietta House Museum.
“Marietta House Museum houses the histories of multiple generations of families, free and enslaved, who lived and labored on the roughly 600 acres that made up Marietta Manor. The historic site holds the stories of how life was lived in agricultural Maryland from the Federal Era, Antebellum years, Civil War period, Jim Crow and Reconstruction through to the rise of the modern Civil Rights era in the early 20th century.”
The work done at the house primarily focuses on the slavery era and understanding the mechanics of that system, and the paradox of the legal language of Liberty. Silenced stories of enslaved individuals are shared, as well as the different avenues (legal and illegal at the time) that they used to pursue their freedom.
Gabriel Duval’s Law OfficeGabriel Duval was a very successful lawyer for enslaved people and their families who were filing petitions for freedom, freeing over 100 individuals throughout his career. He became a Supreme court associate justice during the time of President Madison, and his law office is found next to the Marietta House. It had contained a library of over 500 books and by examining the language of these texts, and comparing them to influential writings of the time, we can better understand the legal language and the definition of Liberty. However: “All men are created equal” did not apply to all men, and even Duval himself was dichotomous in this nature.
The Butler family, who Gabriel Duval enslaved in 1805, sued for their freedom in 1828. Though Duval was a lawyer for enslaved people who were filing petitions for freedom, he fought the Butler family in court for over three years. Though they were eventually successful, the legality of freedom was anything but simplistic.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.— second paragraph of the United States Declaration of Independence
Marietta House Museum: https://www.pgparks.com/3072/Marietta-House-MuseumSlavery Inventory Database: https://slaveryinventorydatabase.com/Duval Family Association: https://www.duvalfamilyassociation.org/Support the show
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we meet with Robert Hicks, the previous Director of the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. The Museum contains a collection of anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment, and is part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Along with the many preserved specimens in the macabre repository, you can find the liver of conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker, a 40 lb colon, and anthropodermic books (or books bound in human skin).
Robert shares with us the history of some radioactive artifacts used by Marie Curie, including the Piezoelectric Quartz Electrometer, which is the oldest extant device for measuring radioactivity. We also learn about a very rare disorder called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), and an incredible individual who not only lived with the disorder but thrived through adversity and even donated her skeleton to be displayed at the Mutter (along with her jewelry, of course!).
CAROL ANN ORZELCarol Ann Orzel, born on April 20, 1959, was diagnosed with FOP as a child. When she was 23, she moved to a long-term care facility and spent the rest of her life there. Though her muscles were slowly turning to bone, she was a strong voice in disability activism, established communication networks with other individuals suffering from FOP, and advocated for more research into the disease (of which there currently is no cure). She was also quite the social butterfly, charming many with her bright personality and colorful jewelry. Upon her death, Carol wished for her skeleton to be displayed at the Mutter Museum, alongside the skeleton of Harry Raymond Eastlack Jr, who also suffered from FOP. She did have one condition, her jewelry must also be displayed next to her.
MARIE CURIEMarie is best known for her pioneering research on radioactivity. She was a Polish and naturalized French physicist and chemist who was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the only woman to win the Nobel Prize twice, and the first person to win the Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.
Mutter Museum webpage: https://muttermuseum.org/Carol and Harry, Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP), Mutter Museum: https://muttermuseum.org/exhibitions/harry-and-carolHarry Eastlack with FOP, Mutter online exhibit: http://memento.muttermuseum.org/detail/fibrodysplasia-ossificans-progressivaThe glowing graphic novel "Radioactive: Marie & Pierre Curie, A Tale of Love and Fallout" by Lauren Redniss: http://laurenredniss.com/radioactive/Dog Edition Conservation Canines: https://shows.dogpodcastnetwork.com/show/dog-edition/conservation-canines-dog-edition-51/Support the show
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we meet with Kristin DeGrace at the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum in Maryland. She shares with us the incredible dream behind a vacation paradise destination, getting buried alive to make a living during the Great Depression, and about a railway trying to stay relevant in a changing world.
“In the late 1800s, a group of Colorado railroad men shared a dream to build a world-class seaside destination on the shores of the Chesapeake and a railroad to connect it to Washington, D.C. The official opening ceremony for the railway took place on June 9, 1900, and the last train departed on April 15, 1935. The amusements continued until the 1970s, evolving with the times. During its heyday, the Chesapeake Beach Resort attracted tens of thousands of people. However, changing tastes, wars, damaging storms, the great depression—experiences that are familiar to us today – all conspired to bring this enterprise to a close. The town created by this grand endeavor lives on, and the traces of its beginnings are evident everywhere. The Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum (CBRM) tells the story of these men, the dream they built, and the town that continues to redefine the story.”-Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum
Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum webpage: https://chesapeakebeachrailwaymuseum.com/Support the show
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we meet with Robert Emerson at Old Fort Niagara in New York. The first fortified structure on the area was built in 1678 and has a few rebuilds and remodeling done since. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the roads were abysmal and the best way to travel was by water. And the great lakes created this water superhighway, so the location of the Fort at the mouth of the Niagara River was coveted by the French, British, and Americans.
Fort Niagara website: https://www.oldfortniagara.org/Dog Edition episode I produced: https://shows.dogpodcastnetwork.com/show/dog-edition/conservation-canines-dog-edition-51/Support the show
Also situated in the fort, is the French Castle, built in 1726. We learn why this castle was meant to look like a peaceful place of business rather than the fortification it was, who occupied the fort throughout its lifetime, and the Star-Spangled Banner’s older sister flag, the 1813 Garrison flag.
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we meet with Laura Scharle at the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Life saving stations were erected along the Eastern coastline, at about 5 - 7 mile intervals. The purpose of these stations was to offer rescue and first aid to victims of shipwrecks. A precursor to today’s U.S. Coast Guard, the United States Lifesaving Service staffed these stations with trained servicemen who practiced drills during the day, and conducted beach-patrols at night. The station at Indian River was originally in 1876, but was moved to its present location in 1877 due to a sand dune building up around the station. It has since been restored to it’s 1905 appearance.
Breeches BuoyA lyle gun was used to deploy the breeches buoy: a gun and carriage of solid bronze weighing 186 pounds would fire a 17 pound steel projectile with a line attached. Once this whip line was secured to the mast of the ship in distress, the hozer line would be strung up. Hanging from the hozer line was a life ring with a pair of pants sewn to it. Using the system as a zip-line, sailors could be pulled from the sinking vessel to safety on shore.
Beach PatrolsBeach patrols were a daily part of life for the men working the stations, and between nightly patrols and daily drills, there may have been a man or two who would rather take a quick nap than complete their patrol. With the life saving stations only about 5 to 7 miles apart from each other, the men walking the patrols would meet in the middle, one heading South, the other North) and exchange surfman’s checks with their corresponding identification information. This ensured no one skipped out on doing their portion of the patrol! If a water source like a river inlet blocked the path to next station, a patrol clock would be installed. This clock would punch out a time on a piece of paper (effectively acting as the first punch clock) to show the guard completed his route.
Indian River Life Saving Station webpage: https://destateparks.com/History/IRLifeSavingStationU.S. Life-saving Station Service Heritage Association: https://uslife-savingservice.org/station/locate-a-station/Support the show
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we meet with Bob Beggs, co-founder of the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He shares with us the process of establishing a museum and what progressive programs have been developed there. We discuss rotor heads, whirly girls, and the impressive ingenuity of rotary flight, as well as Harold Pitcairn and his Collier Award for his development of the autogyro and the human-powered, award-winning Aerovelo Atlas helicopter.
Whirly-GirlsThe Whirly-Girls are an international organization of women helicopter pilots that was developed “in hopes of sharing information and camaraderie regardless of country, race, religion or politics”-Jean Ross Howard Phelan, founder and first president of the organization. The first Whirly Girl, Hanna Reistch (WG#1) was the first woman in the world to fly a helicopter, an FW-61 Focke-Achegelis. She also holds the world record for sustained flight and altitude in gliders, flew horizontal bombers, dive-bombers, fighter planes, and a ME 163 rocket plane. She was the only person, male or female to ever successfully fly the V-1 rocket.
Harold Frederick PitcairnHarold is credited with developing the autogyro, the precursor to rotary-wing helicopters. For this, he won the Collier Award, which is a prestigious award given to someone in the aviation industry for the most significant accomplishment in aviation that year. The Collier Award trophy is kept at the National Air and Space Museum in D.C., but each winner is given a personal, mini replica. Harold’s trophy is now on display at the American Helicopter Museum.
Aerovelo Atlas
Find a list of all the Collier Award Winners, click here: https://www.curatorschoicepodcast.com/collier-trophy-award-winnersThe Aerovelo Atlas is the first human-powered helicopter that achieved the goals of the American Helicopter Society International’s Igor I. Sikorsky Human Powered Helicopter Competition. It was designed by Dr. Todd Reichert and Dr. Cameron Robertson of the University of Toronto and constructed with the help of students and graduates of the University. Steering was accomplished by leaning the bicycle to tilt the rotor axes. On June 13, 2013, the Aerovelo team flew the Atlas for 64 seconds and achieved an altitude of 3.3 meters (11 feet) in a Toronto area arena, and captured the $250,000 prize.
American Helicopter Museum and Education Center webpage: https://americanhelicopter.museum/Whirly-Girls International Women Helicopter Pilots webpage: https://whirlygirls.org/history/Aerovelo website: http://www.aerovelo.com/Support the show
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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This week we meet with Tim Baxter at the Oakwood Cemetery in Niagara Falls, New York. Historic Oakwood Cemetery was founded in 1852 on land donated by Lavinia Porter, daughter of Judge Augustus Porter (who is also one of the acknowledged founders of Niagara Falls). The Oakwood landscape we know today dates from an original design drawn in 1852 by noted civil engineer T.D. Judah. Drake Whitney, and consists of 18.5 acres of land in downtown Niagara Falls. Oakwood today contains many outstanding examples of funerary art including obelisks, sarcophagi, and beautiful statuary. Additionally, the landscape is lush with mature plantings and trees, many dating from the earliest time of the cemetery.
Annie Taylor
Among those buried at Oakwood Cemetery is Annie Taylor, the first person to travel over the falls in a barrel. Annie wrote a book about her trip and in it she describes her inspiration for making the dangerous ride over the Falls:“For two years I had been constantly studying, when not occupied in teaching, what I could do to make money-to make it honestly and quickly. All kinds of schemes ran riot through my brain. Reading in a New York paper about people going to the Pan-American Exposition, and from there to Niagara Falls, the idea came to me like a flash of light, “Go over the Niagara Falls in a barrel. No one has ever accomplished this feat.” -Over the Falls: Annie Taylor’s story of her trip
Niagara Falls Oakwood Cemetery: https://oakwoodniagara.org/“Over the Falls”, written by Annie Taylor in 1902 about her trip over Horseshoe Falls : https://archive.org/details/overfallsannieed00tayluoft/page/n3/mode/2up“The Kite that Bridged a River” article from Kit History: http://www.kitehistory.com/Miscellaneous/Homan_Walsh.htmThe Kite That Bridged Two Nations – The Musical: https://thekitemusical.com/Support the show
Homan Walsh
Also laid to rest at Oakwood is Homan Walsh, the young kite flyer whose kite and progressively larger ropes sent the cable across the gorge for the suspension bridge.
In the mid 1800’s, the area around Niagara Falls was growing in terms of population and recognition as a tourist destination. To increase the opportunities of travel for the Niagara area, a bridge was needed to connect the Canada side of the Gorge with the United States side. The Niagara Gorge is 800 feet across and up to 200 feet deep, and many ideas were concocted to complete this challenging task. However, a kite competition in 1848 proved successful! With an award of $10 (or $5, depending on your source) for the first person to fly their kite across the Gorge, Homan Walsh entered the competition with his kit ‘Union’, and won! Using his kite’s string, stronger string was attached an pulled across, followed with steel cables, until a small cable car could be ridden across the Gorge. This process created the foundation for the Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge, which stood from 1855 to 1897 and played an important role not only in tourist activity and everyday transportation between two countries, but also as an important escape route of the Underground Railroad.
Episode Links:Curator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Starting off the new year, we meet at Historic Sotterley and speak with Katherine Humphries, who is the Education Coordinator, and Jeanne Pirtle, who is the Director of Educational Programming and Partnerships. Sotterley is a historic plantation, with parts of the house dating back to 1703. It has survived 3 major wars, hurricanes, lightning strikes, and numerous renovations, and today is an interpretive site comprised of 94 acres of land, over 20 authentic historical structures, and a sustainable farm that donates food to local pantries. For this episode, we focus on the Chinese Chippendale Banister, which was constructed ~1780, and the portrait of Sarah Satterlee, whose artist was a mystery until a curator from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery visited and thought the style looked familiar!
Official Historic Sotterley webpage: https://www.sotterley.org/Met Museum’s artifact “The Gentleman and Cabinet-maker's Director: Being a Large Collection of Designs of Household Furniture in the Gothic, Chinese and Modern Taste 1754”: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/591840Seth Cheney’s painting of James Jackosn, circa 1842, at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery: https://npg.si.edu/object/npg_NPG.98.126?destination=edan-search/default_search%3Fedan_local%3D1%26edan_q%3Dseth%252Bcheney%26edan_fq%255B0%255D%3Donline_visual_material%253Atrue
Episode Links:
Sotterleys Recognitions and Awards2012 Designated a Middle Passage Ceremonies and Port Marker’s Project Site
2017 Maryland Sustainable Growth Award for Preservation & Conservation
2018 Maryland Preservation Award for Slave Cabin Exhibit dedicated to Agnes Kane Callum
2019 Designated a UNESCO Site of Memory for the Slave Route Project
2020 Maryland Preservation Award for Excellence in Public Programming for Common Ground
Support the showCurator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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Happy New Year!
31 regular episodes5 bonus episodes3,143 downloads26 different museums and historical places36 different people interviewed12 different states and territoriesOver 57 artifacts, historic people, exhibits, or fossils featured
And welcome to Season 2 of Curator's Choice! So, for today's episode, I thought it could be fun to do a year review of the podcast, talk about some of the success, some of the not-so-great moments, and give you a sneak peek of what the next year will look like and what goals I have for the podcast.What a year! Thank you so much for your support and for listening to Curator's Choice!
Cheers!
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AylaCurator's Choice - A podcast for history nerds and museum lovers
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