Front Porch Radio - History's Hook

Tom Price
  • 4.1 (7)
  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

History’s Hook is a weekly audio-media series that uses local stories…stories found in everyone’s backyard…to explore national and world history. The show features experts and eye-witnesses to events that make those connections in history. The show’s host, Tom Price is a veteran historian who has spent nearly 30 years working in museums and archives finding those documents and objects that tell the stories of all of us. He has published numerous articles on U.S. History and has curated fifteen major exhibitions related to American History and culture.

  1. History's Hook RM EP17 01-31-2026 Columbia Race Riot of 1946 Part1

    FEB 2

    History's Hook RM EP17 01-31-2026 Columbia Race Riot of 1946 Part1

    February 25, 1946 was a pivotal day in the history of the country, but no one knew it at the time.  Gladys Stephenson and her son James had a disagreement with a local store over their treatment, and an altercation ensued that sparked a serious racial conflict in a community that had a history of strained race relations.  The governor called out the National Guard, blood was shed, and people died.  More than 100 African Americans were jailed.  The subsequent court case featured some of the finest trial lawyers in the country.  The incident, remembered as the Columbia Race Riot, was the first such event following World War 2, and marked the first step in the American Civil Rights Movement.  Hosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan are joined by historian Dr. Gail O’Brien, author of the book The Color of the Law which talks about his pivotal event in American History.

    1 hr
  2. History's Hook RM EP3 01-10-2025 Maury County Hidden Figures

    JAN 12

    History's Hook RM EP3 01-10-2025 Maury County Hidden Figures

    History’s Hook hosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan discuss the lives of several African-Americans who started life in Maury County, Tennessee and went on to national acclaim in various pursuits. Included are the stories of renowned chef to the rich and famous, Rufus Estes; Moses McKissack, a brick maker whose descendants include some of the most highly sought-after architects in the world; and Rev. Edmond Kelley, an enslaved man who was able to obtain his own freedom, then that of his wife and children by becoming one of the most influential preachers in the North, all prior to the Civil War.

    1 hr

  3. 12/22/2025

    History's Hook RM EP7 12-20-2025 Embattled President Andrew Johnson TN Presidents Pt3

    Starting life off from the humblest beginnings, Andrew Johnson rose from a simple tailor to a statesman.  The only Southerner to remain in the Senate following secession, Johnson was chosen by Abraham Lincoln as his vice-president in 1864.  Following Lincoln’s assassination a few months later, Johnson found himself hated by many of his fellow Tennesseans and distrusted by the Washington establishment. The first president to be impeached, Johnson was also a brave leader who did his best to heal the nation following the Civil War. Kendra Hinkle, museum specialist at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, TN discusses the 17th President.

    1 hr
  4. History's Hook RM EP6 11-29-2025 Young Hickory James K Polk TN Presidents Pt2

    12/01/2025

    History's Hook RM EP6 11-29-2025 Young Hickory James K Polk TN Presidents Pt2

    Tennessee boasts three presidents. Host Tom Price begins his three part presidential series by interviewing the long-time director of the President James K. Polk Home and Museum, John Holtzapple. Polk is one of the least-known presidents in American history, but as you will hear, deserves to be remembered as one of the most successful. His accomplishments include starting the Naval Academy, the modern postal system, and the Independent Treasury System…none of which were his main goals…which he also accomplished in a promised single term of office.

    1 hr
  5. History's Hook RM EP13 11-01-2025 Andrew Jackson TN Presidents Pt1

    11/03/2025

    History's Hook RM EP13 11-01-2025 Andrew Jackson TN Presidents Pt1

    As part of the series on Tennessee’s three presidents, this episode of History’s Hook focuses on the first of them: Andrew Jackson.  Old Hickory, the first populist president changed the face of American politics.  Join hosts Tom Price and Dr. Barry Gidcomb as they speak with Marsha Mullin, Vice President of Collections and Research, and chief curator at the Hermitage, The Home of Andrew Jackson, just outside of Nashville.

    1 hr
  6. History's Hook RM EP26 10-18-2025 TN Cemeteries

    10/18/2025

    History's Hook RM EP26 10-18-2025 TN Cemeteries

    Cemeteries as we know them today came about in the 1830’s.  Prior to that, the dead were typically buried in churchyards and backyards.  But with this change, the often elaborate planning of cemeteries resembled park settings, where people went to picnic, hunt, have races…and commune with the dead.  Cemeteries were filled with benches and in the absence of museums and galleries and botanical gardens, featured beautiful sculptures and horticultural art.  Yet during times of pandemic, cemeteries were places where disease and its victims gathered…kept separate from living spaces.  These dichotomies both drew people to cemeteries and pushed them away.  Join Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan as they interview Graham Perry, Historic Preservation Specialist with the Tennessee Historical Commission.

    1 hr
  7. History's Hook RM EP21 09-27-2025 Union Occupation

    09/29/2025

    History's Hook RM EP21 09-27-2025 Union Occupation

    From 1861-1865 Tennessee was a battleground during the American Civil War.  For the majority of the war, much of Tennessee was occupied by Union troops. What was it like for Tennesseans to live in occupied territory?  Conversely, what was it like for Union troops to live in a seceded state?  In this episode, hosts Tom Price and Barry Gidcomb are joined by author and historian Dr. Thomas Flagel who discusses the Union occupation of Tennessee during the Civil War.

    1 hr
  8. History's Hook RM EP25 09-06-2025 Judge Randolph Baxter

    09/08/2025

    History's Hook RM EP25 09-06-2025 Judge Randolph Baxter

    History's Hook 09-06-2025 Episode 25: Voices of Segregation: Judge Randolph BaxterAs part of a series on life in the segregation era, History’s Hook hosts, Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan interview Judge Randolph Baxter who graduated from Carver-Smith Highschool in 1963.  He attended Tuskegee University and the University of Akron School of Law.  While there he was an ROTC student, Mr. Baxter served his country in the Vietnam War from 1968-1971, achieving the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, among other unit citations while serving with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.  Upon his return, he completed his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Akron and began a legal career that spanned another forty years.  Holding several important positions, he ended his legal career as chief justice of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  He currently holds the position of President of the AARP in the State of Ohio.

    1 hr
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4.1
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

History’s Hook is a weekly audio-media series that uses local stories…stories found in everyone’s backyard…to explore national and world history. The show features experts and eye-witnesses to events that make those connections in history. The show’s host, Tom Price is a veteran historian who has spent nearly 30 years working in museums and archives finding those documents and objects that tell the stories of all of us. He has published numerous articles on U.S. History and has curated fifteen major exhibitions related to American History and culture.

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