32 episodes
Abandoned America Matthew Christopher
-
- History
-
-
4.8 • 55 Ratings
-
Find out why it's all falling apart on the new Abandoned America podcast! Join host Matthew Christopher, author and photographer of the Abandoned America book series and website, and explore what incredible stories ruins have to tell, what mysteries they hold, and why they were left behind. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abandonedamerica/support
-
The Incredible Rebirth of the Lansdowne Theater
All too often, the stories of abandoned places end in tragedy. In this episode, however, we're going to discuss an amazing success story: after nearly 30 years vacant, the gorgeous Lansdowne Theater is being rebuilt! My guest, Matt Schultz, the Executive Director of the Historic Lansdowne Theater Corporation, shares with us how this miraculous turnaround is taking place and his experience on how to save a local landmark.
Photos/history of The Lansdowne: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/historic-lansdowne-theater
Support the Lansdowne Theater Restoration efforts: https://www.lansdownetheater.org/
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AbandonedAmerica
Get Email Updates: https://us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=24ba303f6c1b17ce6e5f37d49&id=88f0dd85ff
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abandonedamerica/support -
The Strange But True Story of Abandoned America
Did you ever wonder how someone could become so obsessed with abandoned buildings that it engulfs their whole life? This is my story: the strange tale of of how and why I began photographing abandoned buildings across the world and started the Abandoned America project - an origin story for the podcast and website, if you will.
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AbandonedAmerica
Get Email Updates: https://us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=24ba303f6c1b17ce6e5f37d49&id=88f0dd85ff
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abandonedamerica/support -
The Dominion of Sleep
There's an odd overlap between dreams, abandoned spaces, and photographs - they all present distortions of the reality we are familiar with. Why is it that we find all three so compelling?
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AbandonedAmerica
Get Email Updates: https://us6.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=24ba303f6c1b17ce6e5f37d49&id=88f0dd85ff
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abandonedamerica/support -
Scrap
In this episode Matthew interviews Stacey Tenenbaum, a Canadian filmmaker who produced and directed a beautiful documentary called Scrap. Scrap takes a poetic and meditative look at what becomes of the objects we use after they've ceased to fulfill the function they were originally intended for. The documentary shares the story of some incredible people and spaces, including a photographer who documents e-waste processing facilities in India, an architect who is repurposing parts of ships into buildings, families living in decommissioned aircraft, and an artist who makes amazing sculptures out of old machinery. Perhaps our favorite segment is a thoughtful feature on Ed Metka, the gentle owner of the trolley graveyard featured on Abandoned America. Stacey explores the challenges of filming in the early days of Covid, the behind-the-scenes stories of her production, and much more.
You can watch the trailer (or rent/buy Scrap) at the following links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3rUcpvU
Apple TV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/scrap/umc.cmc.6zorr6gt9htb4lat36rm6kjaf
Show Notes: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/scrap-abandoned-america-podcast
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AbandonedAmerica
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abandonedamerica/support -
Saying Goodbye to Gould Street
Gould Street Power Station in Baltimore was once the most impressive power plant in the city and considered a technological marvel, but now its demolition seems inevitable. In this episode, we'll trace the wild history of the site through the bitter public utility wars that led to its construction to its eventual closure and abandonment - a trip that includes a forgotten inventor, a brutal murder, and a look at what might be in store for the area in the years to come.
Show Notes: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/saying-goodbye-to-gould-street
Forest Haven photo gallery/podcast text on Abandoned America: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/gould-street-power-station
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AbandonedAmerica
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abandonedamerica/support -
Forest Haven: A Fatal Legacy of Neglect
Forest Haven was a developmental center in Laurel, Maryland for children and adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities and chronic illnesses that was the site of what was described as "the deadliest known example of institutional abuse in recent American history." Today Forest Haven lies abandoned and mostly forgotten, but in this episode we'll explore how profound and often fatal neglect shattered lives of residents for decades, and why it was allowed to continue for years after some of the facility's most horrific injustices were brought to light.
Show Notes: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/forest-haven-a-fatal-history
Forest Haven photo gallery/podcast text on Abandoned America: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/forest-haven-developmental-center
Support the podcast on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/AbandonedAmerica
---
Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abandonedamerica/support
Customer Reviews
Anything and Everything Abandoned
Matt is super knowledgeable and does his research for each of his episodes. I can tell he is passionate about abandoned exploration and I enjoy listening to and learning something from each of his episodes! So glad I found this podcast!
Great podcast
Matt does a great job and if you like abandoned places and urbex and photography. Matts passion is unmatched. Give it a go.
Hang tough
Matthew, I am sorry for all the depression and self doubt you have experienced. I have not, but two of my daughters have suffered since their teen years. I am sorry - but mostly I am proud of how you have fought the good fight and continue to resurface with your face toward the sunshine. I’m also in awe at the courage you possess that allows you to share your story, your struggles, and your successes with a bunch of explorers and those who explorer through your stunning photos, even though we are otherwise strangers to you. We all share the wonders of what was and what was left behind. Please don’t stop. Please stand tall. Please continue to take us on your journeys. We care about you and we thank you.