The History Things Podcast

HTP EP 67: WWII - Pacific Theater 1937-1945 Pt. Two w/Avery Lentz

Pat and Matt are back in the Pacific with their colleague Avery Lentz! With the monster episode Avery provided the guys on the Pacific Theater in World War II, they just had to break it in two!  The twin campaigns of the Army and Navy in the Pacific often left the Empire of Japan at a loss for where the allies were headed next, or how to react. Join the guys as Avery describes the bloody slog of the island hopping campaign, as well as the war on the waves before the final air campaign again...

HTP EP 66: WWII - Pacific Theater 1937-1945 Pt. One w/Avery Lentz

With the amount of time the guys have spent in military history it's a wonder that it has taken them this long to get around to the largest conflict in human history, World War II! To help them break into this topic, Pat and Matt havd brought in their old friend and colleague, Avery Lentz. Avery has a passion for the Second World War, especially in the Pacific due to his grandfather's service there with the Sea Bee's!  Avery sits down in the War Department Studio to lay out the intricacies ...

HTP EP 65: Easter Rising 1916 w/Anthony Trusso

The History Things Podcast St. Patrick's Day special is covering a heavy topic this year, the Easter Rising of 1916. Erupting in the midst of World War One, the Irish bid for independence was well planned and initially well executed. The British response however was fast and brutal.  To cover this Pat and Matt are joined by fellow ranger Anthony Trusso to discuss the details of the uprising, the major players involved, the response and the surprising results. So grab a drink, grab a friend ...

HTP EP 64: 48th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment - The Coal Miners w/John Hoptak

Building off their first of the year topic, Pat and Matt got the chance to discuss the most famous soldiers of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania, the coal miners of the 48 Pennsylvania Infantry! To help flesh out the history of this well known and documented regiment is fellow ranger, John Hoptak. John and Matt go way back, having both previously worked at Antietam National Battlefield and Pat was fortunate to attend several of John's programs while he was there. Throughout the years however ...

HTP EP 62: Coal Miner’s Revolt w/Jake Wynn

What better way to kick off Season Five than by getting down into the weeds on some regional history!? This month the guys are speaking to Jake Wynn about the proud, but controversial history of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and the Coal Miners strike that occured there during the Civil War. For those who have spent some time with the Civil War, Schuylkill County is likely a Pennsylvania County you have heard of before. Famous for its coal mines and miners, the county was torn between try...

HTP EP 62: (Re) Introduction - Welcome To The History Things Podcast

As we kick off Season 5, we thought it would be a good idea to reintroduce ourselves and The History Things Podcast. Matt and Pat are Park Rangers with a passion for history and telling those stories. While they get to do this as part of their day to day work, The History Things Podcast allows them to reach out to an even wider audience and talk on any number of historic subjects. By bringing in subject matter experts, enthusiasts, authors, Podcators, historians, and more, we strive to prov...

HTP EP 63: Coal Miner’s Revolt w/Jake Wynn

What better way to kick off Season Five than by getting down into the weeds on some regional history!? This month the guys are speaking to Jake Wynn about the proud, but controversial history of Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania and the Coal Miners strike that occured there during the Civil War. For those who have spent some time with the Civil War, Schuylkill County is likely a Pennsylvania County you have heard of before. Famous for its coal mines and miners, the county was torn between try...

HTP EP 61: End Of Year (Season 4)

Woooo! We have made it to the end of Season 4 and another calendar year! It has been an intense season, with a wide variety of subjects covering everything from European conflicts, the Civil War, true crime, sailors in the wilderness and of course, historic recipes. The guys also experimented with even more visual elements for the show, from a watch through of a tragic sinking, to on site discussions and the cooking demonstration. None of this would have been possible without you, the liste...

HTP EP 60: Braddock’s Navy (BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL) w/Kyle Dalton

This seasons Black Friday Bonus Episode has the boys hacking through the wilderness of western Maryland and Pennsylvania with some rather unusual companions. The Braddock Expedition of 1755 and the disaster of the Battle of the Monongahela, fought July 9, 1755 is fairly well known in this part of the world, but what was completely unknown to us was the presence of sailors on the expedition as well. To talk about this Pat and Matt have brought in their friend Kyle Dalton, formally of the Nat...

HTP EP 59: Lizzie Borden & The Trial Of The Century (HALLOWEEN SPECIAL) w/ Sarah Miller

Happy Halloween from The History Things Podcast! For the last couple seasons the guys have brought you fun, spooky episodes for the Halloween holiday and this year is no different.  Ever notice how dark children's rhymes can be? One of the better known in the late 19th and early 20th century, though mostly forgotten today, featured the story of Lizzie Borden and what she may have done to her parents in one of the most famous double homicide's in US history. This Halloween Pat and Matt got ...

HTP EP 58: Cooking With The First Ladies w/Sarah Morgan

The guys at The History Things Podcast have had the opportunity to work with famous historians, to world class museums, as well as with our colleagues in the history community. This conversation fits into two of those categories.  Sarah Morgan is the brilliant YouTuber behind Cooking with the First Ladies, a channel that looks at the history of the First Ladies of the United States through their favorite dishes. Sarah gives Matt and Pat the run down on how the channel came to be, her intere...

HTP EP 57: Rawlins & Grant at Vicksburg w/Melissa Winn

As a follow up to the summer discussion with Melissa Winn about the important relationship between Ulysses S. Grant and his Chief of Staff John Rawlings, the guys have brought Melissa back to look at the specifics of the Vicksburg Campaign and how these men coordinated that operation.  Rawlings continued to be the support Grant needed to protect him from his own vice's during the Campaign, as well as defend him from political threats. Rawlings connections to powerful political figures, as w...

HTP 57: Rawlins & Grant at Vicksburg w/Melissa Winn

HTP EP 56: The Pennsylvania Reserves w/ Eric Mohney

After a rollicking adventure on the water the boys are back in their element, the American Civil War. This time they are hosting Eric Money, formally of the Addressing Gettysburg podcast to discuss the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps! Better known as the Pennsylvania Reserves, these were enthusiastic patriots who signed up to serve the Nation even after Pennsylvania had hit it's initial quota of troops to send to the field.  It was a good thing too! As the PA Reserves were called upon to help bo...

HTP 56: The Pennsylvania Reserves w/ Eric Mohney

After a rollicking adventure on the water the boys are back in their element, the American Civil War. This time they are hosting Eric Money, formally of the Addressing Gettysburg podcast to discuss the Pennsylvania Reserve Corps! Better known as the Pennsylvania Reserves, these were enthusiastic patriots who signed up to serve the Nation even after Pennsylvania had hit it's initial quota of troops to send to the field.  It was a good thing too! As the PA Reserves were called upon to help bo...

HTP EP 55: Black Beard The Pirate: Separating The Man From The Myth w/ Kevin P. Duffus

Hope you are ready to weigh anchor, because it's Pat's birthday week and The History Things Podcast is taking on a topic he has wanted to do for a long time, that's right, Piracy! First off, the boys dive into some of their home states stories of piracy, ranging from the Chesapeake Bay, the coast of Maine and even the Great Lakes. Afterwards they bring in a heavy hitter, Kevin P. Duffus, (minute marker 1:00:15)  a researcher and author who specializes in North Carolina history, to talk abou...

HTP EP 54: Gettysburg And The Battle For Memory w/D. Scott Hartwig

As the guys wrap up the 160th Gettysburg offensive, Pat and Matt have brought the legendary Scott Hartwig back on the show to talk about the aftermath of the battle, but also its place in historical memory.  How did the veterans remember the largest battle ever fought on the western hemisphere? How did that memory affect the memorials and monuments of the time? Just as interesting is how the memory and memorialization changed as we got further away from the Battle of Gettysburg. All this a...

HTP EP 53: “A Most Glorious Fourth!” - The Siege of Vicksburg w/ Andrew Miller

The History Things Podcast has said it before and on this 160th commemoration of The Most Glorious Fourth, we will say it again. There is so much happening in the Summer of 1863!! To help Pat and Matt better understand one of the major events of that summer is historian Andrew Miller who dives deep into the Vicksburg Campaign, the Siege and ultimate fall of the "Gibraltar of the South". Andrew also puts the Glorious Fourth at Vicksburg into context with Gettysburg, Tullahoma and Port Gibson...

HTP EP 52: Gettysburg - The Ride of Alexander Hays w/ Codie Eash

As part of The History Things Podcast continued Gettysburg 160th Blitz, the guys are speaking to historian Codie Eash about one of the most dynamic and indeed provocative actions to occur right at the end of the Battle of Gettysburg. Following the repulse of the famed Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, or as Pat likes to call it, Longstreet's Charge, Brigadier General Alexander Hays took captured Confederate flags and dragged them on the ground in front of the cheering Federal line. How this...

HTP EP 52: Gettysburg - The Ride of Alexander Hays

As part of The History Things Podcast continued Gettysburg 160th Blitz, the guys are speaking to historian Codie Eash about one of the most dynamic and indeed provocative actions to occur right at the end of the Battle of Gettysburg. Following the repulse of the famed Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge, or as Pat likes to call it, Longstreet's Charge, Brigadier General Alexander Hays took captured Confederate flags and dragged them on the ground in front of the cheering Federal line. How this...

HTP EP 51: The Battle of Gettysburg w/D. Scott Hartwig

You read that episode title correctly, not only are Pat and Matt taking on the Battle of Gettysburg in honor of its 160th commemoration, but they have brought on Scott Hartwig to be their guide! In the unlikely event that you don't know that name, Scott Hartwig was the long time Chief Historian of Gettysburg National Military Park and a frequent contributor to such programs as Civil War Journal. Scott is featured in the Antietam National Battlefield NPS movie and has written two massive vol...

HTP EP 50: Mid Year Review/Episode 50!!!!!

Holy Cow! The History Things Podcast has made it to 50 episodes! Pat and Matt didn't really know how far they would go with their podcast, but 50 episodes is a good start.  This milestone is thanks to you, our listeners, as well as to our fantastic guests! None of this would have been possible without your support and the guys are so honored that you decided to tune in and join them on this journey.  Looking forward to 50 more!! The History Things Podcast is brought to you by HistoryNet, ...

HTP EP 49: “ It is simply country or no country…” Major John Rawlins w/ Melissa Winn

Heading into the summer, Pat and Matt are joined by Melissa Winn, the now former Director of Photography Research for HistoryNet. Melissa provides the guys with details on a man who is often overlooked by history and was overshadowed by his boss during the American Civil War, John A. Rawlins, aide-de-camp of Ulysses S. Grant himself.  Rawlins, a prewar friend of Grant's, was an influential lawyer and democrat in Galena, Illinois prior to the war. Upon the outbreak of hostilities he famously...

HTP EP 49: “ It is simply country or no country…” Major John Rawlins

Heading into the summer, Pat and Matt are joined by Melissa Winn, the now former Director of Photography Research for HistoryNet. Melissa provides the guys with details on a man who is often overlooked by history and was overshadowed by his boss during the American Civil War, John A. Rawlins, aide-de-camp of Ulysses S. Grant himself.  Rawlins, a prewar friend of Grant's, was an influential lawyer and democrat in Galena, Illinois prior to the war. Upon the outbreak of hostilities he famously...

**HTP YouTube Special** - Real-time sinking of the Lusitania

Coming Sunday May 7th! Join us as we watch the sinking of the RMS Lusitania in real-time as produced by the YouTube channel Titanic Animators! 

HTP EP 48: Sinking of RMS Lusitania (Murder On The Atlantic)

For the second quarter of Season 4 the guys are diving deep with our resident shipwreck enthusiast and producer Parker! You may recall Parker's excellent show on the White Star Line and RMS Titanic in Season 1, well he is back with another tragedy on the high seas, this time, the sinking of the Lusitania on May 7, 1915! The guys will be looking at the history of the ship, it's relationship to the First World War and the circumstances surrounding its sinking. It's a harrowing story and one t...

HTP EP 47: St. Patrick's Day Special

Happy St. Patrick's Day and welcome to The History Things Podcast St. Patrick's Day Special! For this four leaf clover festooned holiday the guys have pulled in one of our very first fans, the host of the wildly successful Addressing Gettysburg Podcast, Matt Callery!  When Pat and Matt were starting out, Addressing Gettysburg had them on to promote the show. They have since been on talking St. Patrick's Day history, so it was only appropriate that they invited Matt down to the War Departmen...

HTP EP 47: St. Patrick's Day Special w/ Matt Callery (Addressing Gettysburg)

Happy St. Patrick's Day and welcome to The History Things Podcast St. Patrick's Day Special! For this four leaf clover festooned holiday the guys have pulled in one of our very first fans, the host of the wildly successful Addressing Gettysburg Podcast, Matt Callery!  When Pat and Matt were starting out, Addressing Gettysburg had them on to promote the show. They have since been on talking St. Patrick's Day history, so it was only appropriate that they invited Matt down to the War Departmen...

HTP EP 47: St. Patrick's Day Special w/ Matt Caller (Addressing Gettysburg)

Happy St. Patrick's Day and welcome to The History Things Podcast St. Patrick's Day Special! For this four leaf clover festooned holiday the guys have pulled in one of our very first fans, the host of the wildly successful Addressing Gettysburg Podcast, Matt Callery!  When Pat and Matt were starting out, Addressing Gettysburg had them on to promote the show. They have since been on talking St. Patrick's Day history, so it was only appropriate that they invited Matt down to the War Departmen...

HTP EP 46: The Crimean War: The Siege of Sevastopol 1854 - 1855

Sevastopol, THE siege of the Crimean War and the focus of much of the mythology surrounding the conflict. Sevastopol became not only a strategic point important to both sides during the war, but a symbol of the war itself. The Russians looked to capitalize on a successful defense of the port city, while the Allies on forcing it's capitulation and opening said port to their fleets. The Siege was also the sight of the use of new and fantastic technologies, as well as terrible suffering. All o...

HTP EP 46: The Crimean War: The Siege of Sevastopol 1854 - 1855 w/ Darrell Rivers

Sevastopol, THE siege of the Crimean War and the focus of much of the mythology surrounding the conflict. Sevastopol became not only a strategic point important to both sides during the war, but a symbol of the war itself. The Russians looked to capitalize on a successful defense of the port city, while the Allies on forcing it's capitulation and opening said port to their fleets. The Siege was also the sight of the use of new and fantastic technologies, as well as terrible suffering. All o...

HTP EP 45: The Crimean War 1853 - 1856: An Overview

To begin Season 4 of The History Things Podcast, Matt and Pat have brought on the Minister of the Ministry for History, Darrell Rivers, known to many as the Lord Rivers. Darrell is a historic advisor and life long historical presenter. His specialty is the history of Great Britain, particularly in the 19th century. Due to this the guys brought Darrell on to talk about a war that has important ramifications for the American Civil War, the Crimean War of 1854-1856! Known to some historians as...

HTP EP 45: The Crimean War 1853 - 1856: An Overview w/ Darrell Rivers

To begin Season 4 of The History Things Podcast, Matt and Pat have brought on the Minister of the Ministry for History, Darrell Rivers, known to many as the Lord Rivers. Darrell is a historic advisor and life long historical presenter. His specialty is the history of Great Britain, particularly in the 19th century. Due to this the guys brought Darrell on to talk about a war that has important ramifications for the American Civil War, the Crimean War of 1854-1856! Known to some historians as...

HTP EP 44: Season 3 Year End Review 2022

It's that time of year again, the end of season, so it's time for the Season 3 Year End Review! What a season it has been! The guys have brought you great conversations from both coasts and even from our friends up north! The History Things Podcast  covered a wide range of topics this season from maritime history and shipping disasters, to shots heard round the world, to the darkest day in the British military. We touched on lighter topics like local murder!  During all this and while juggl...

HTP EP 43: Historians On Tap LIVE @ Frederick Social 7/19/2022

The following is a recording of The History Things Podcast's guest appearance on Historians on Tap when they visited Frederick, MD earlier this fall. The guys had a great time hanging out with the Historians on Tap crew, as well as swapping local history stories in downtown Frederick at Frederick Social. As you might have guessed, because this was originally a live event, the sound quality is significantly different. Regardless, we hope you enjoy all the stories presented and get a better a...

HTP EP 42: Murder Along The Potomac! The Shocking Killing of Samuel Calvin Lamar

Friend of the show and Editor in Chief of the Civil War Times, as well as Historynet.com, Dana Shoaf, is back in the studios to drop another Civil War story on Pat and Matt. Where last time we discussed Brigadier General Erastus Tyler and his career both during and after the war. This time the guys are getting down to the men in the ranks. The same day as our National Tragedy unfolded on the plains of Manassas, a shooting occurred along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, not far from Frederick,...

HTP EP 41: HALLOWEEN SPECIAL 2022

It's Halloween! This year Matt & Pat are going all in with a special Halloween Episode of The History Things Podcast! To aid them in their efforts the guys have brought on two special guests. The first, Avery Lentz, the primary host of the Battles and Banter Podcast, while the second is The History Things Podcast's own behind the scenes man, Producer Parker! The gang is talking horror movies, their favorites and why they are. So grab some candy and check it out Halloween night The History ...

HTP EP 40: Brigadier General Erastus B. Tyler

For Quarter 4, Pat and Matt sit down with the editor of HistoryNet, Dana Shoaf. If you don't know his name you definitely know his work, as Dana is the editor of Civil War Times Illustrated, America's Civil War and all the other great history magazines that are under the HistoryNet umbrella. It's a ton of work, so we thought we would get Dana in to relax and talk about what he wants to talk about. Turns out, what Dana wanted to talk about was one of the general's at Monocacy National Battle...

HTP EP 39: Air War - World War One

For this Bonus Episode we take to the sky with Co-Host Matt Borders as we look at the often romantized aspect of the the First World War, the Air War! We've trudeged through the mud and the blood of the trenches in both Season 2 and 3, but now we will look at some of the most iconic and unique flying machines ever to grace the sky. Prior to soaring though, we had to climb. As such we will take a few minutes to set the stage, looking at early uses of air power in both the US and Europe prior...

HTP EP 38: Battle of Second Bull Run (Second Manassas) August 28-30, 1862

In July we spoke to Anthony Trusso about First Manassas, or First Bull Run and the first major battle of the Civil War in the Eastern Theater. Well, we have brought Anthony back to talk about 2nd Manassas, fought 160 years ago this weekend! Unlike the 1st Battle of Bull Run, the second battle on the plains of Manassas was a multi day affair, with much larger armies and terrible casualties for both sides. The defeat of the Union Army of Virginia sent shock waves through Washington set the st...

HTP EP 38: Battle of Second Bull Run (Second Manassas) August 28-31, 1862

In July we spoke to Anthony Trusso about First Manassas, or First Bull Run and the first major battle of the Civil War in the Eastern Theater. Well, we have brought Anthony back to talk about 2nd Manassas, fought 160 years ago this weekend! Unlike the 1st Battle of Bull Run, the second battle on the plains of Manassas was a multi day affair, with much larger armies and terrible casualties for both sides. The defeat of the Union Army of Virginia sent shock waves through Washington set the st...

HTP EP 37: The Battle of the Somme 1916 Pt. 2

On July 1 Pat and Matt were joined by guest Rob Enfield, the brains and face behind the brilliant YouTube channel, British Muzzleloaders. Rob gave us a great run down of the lead up to the Battle of the Somme and the bloodliest day in the history of the British Empire, July 1, 1916. Now Rob is back to expound on the Somme Campaign! The rest of the story and the months long endeavor to make something of the brutal fighting that occured there. Rob also dives into the specifics of some of the ...

HTP EP 36: Battle of First Bull Run (First Manassas) July 21, 1861

Pat & Matt are back in the studio, this time with their friend and fellow ranger, Anthony Trusso. Anthony gives the guys a run down on the first large scale land battle of the American Civil War, First Bull Run. Also known as First Manassas, the Battle of Bull Run is infamous for how it ended and what was happening on the side lines. Looking beyond those tropes though, how well is the battle actually understood and just how close did Federal forces come to actually winning this first signifi...

HTP EP 35: The Battle of the Somme 1916 Pt. 1

We kick off the second half of our third season with another trip to the Western Front of the First World War! Rob from the YouTube channel British Muzzleloaders joins us for an overall view and story on how one of the most violent battles and subsequent campaigns of the Great War came to be and what were the ramifications of it as the war progressed on for another 2+ years! Rob is a historic firearms aficionado and is the host of YouTube.com/BritishMuzzleloaders. Make sure to check out his...

HTP EP 34: Season 3 Mid Year Review 2022

Can you believe we are half way through Season 3 already? On this mid year review Pat & Matt are looking back at the opening episodes of Season 3 and updating you as to what's been going on in their live outside the studio. It's been a busy year already, with be things happening for both the guys! Also, you get a hint at the rest of this very busy season, where we are heading and what we will be covering.  So strap in for the rest of The History Things Podcast Season 3! It's going to be a w...

HTP EP 33: The Penobscot Expedition 1779

Welcome back to another BONUS edition of The History Things Podcast! In this episode we are joined by special guest Patrick Callaway - PHD candidate and lecturer from the University of Maine, to talk about the relatively unknown Penobscot Expedtion of 1779. Patrick creates a compelling atmosphere and fills it with incredible details of a Continental military campaign of the American Revolution that ends in complete disaster and also nearly ruined the legacy of one of America's most beloved f...

HTP BONUS: The Penobscot Expedition 1779

Welcome back to another BONUS edition of The History Things Podcast! In this episode we are joined by special guest Patrick Callaway - PHD candidate and lecturer from the University of Maine, to talk about the relatively unknown Penobscot Expedtion of 1779. Patrick creates a compelling atmosphere and fills it with incredible details of a Continental military campaign of the American Revolution that ends in complete disaster and also nearly ruined the legacy of one of America's most beloved f...

HTP EP 32: Shot Heard 'Round The World Follow-Up (Siege of Boston)

For our follow-up Quarter 2, Pat and Matt are joined once again by the Curator of the Concord Museum, David Wood. David took us through the coming of the Revolution at the beginning of the quarter and all the way through the fighting at Lexington & Concord. With the forces of King George III back in Boston, the colonial militias that had rallied against them had the garrison trapped. The Siege of Boston had begun. This often overlooked aspect of the American Revolution, was the last major c...

HTP Shot Heard 'Round The World Follow-Up (Siege of Boston)

For our follow-up Quarter 2, Pat and Matt are joined once again by the Curator of the Concord Museum, David Wood. David took us through the coming of the Revolution at the beginning of the quarter and all the way through the fighting at Lexington & Concord. With the forces of King George III back in Boston, the colonial militias that had rallied against them had the garrison trapped. The Siege of Boston had begun. This often overlooked aspect of the American Revolution, was the last major c...

HTP EP 32: The Siege of Boston

For our follow-up Quarter 2, Pat and Matt are joined once again by the Curator of the Concord Museum, David Wood. David took us through the coming of the Revolution at the beginning of the quarter and all the way through the fighting at Lexington & Concord. With the forces of King George III back in Boston, the colonial militias that had rallied against them had the garrison trapped. The Siege of Boston had begun. This often overlooked aspect of the American Revolution, was the last major c...