The America250PA ”Start Here, America Did” Podcast

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Telling the unique stories that make up the diverse fabric of Pennsylvania.

  1. 5h ago

    Traveling Through Pennsylvania One Bell at a Time

    One bell. Then another. Soon, an unexpected discovery at Valley Forge became a Pennsylvania-wide adventure. In this episode of Start Here, America Did, meet Natalie Caruso, whose search for America250PA’s Bells Across PA has taken her to 112 bells and counting. Along the way: covered bridges, ice cream stops, new friendships, and a bell she tracked down in the back of a pickup truck. Discover how following the bells sparked a deeper appreciation for Pennsylvania, and find inspiration for an adventure of your own. Your next favorite place might be just a bell away.

  2. Sep 22

    America’s Oldest Brewery: The Yuengling Story

    From hand-dug caves beneath Pottsville to surviving fire, Prohibition and nearly two centuries of change, D.G. Yuengling & Son has become far more than America’s oldest brewery. In the next episode of the America250PA podcast, sixth-generation family member Debbie Yuengling shares the resilience, family values and Pennsylvania grit behind the iconic brand, along with what it means to carry its legacy forward alongside her three sisters. Discover how Yuengling has remained proudly independent, preserved its close-knit culture and grown from a small Pennsylvania brewery into a name enjoyed across 30 states.

  3. Sep 15

    MarkerQuest: The Stories Behind Pennsylvania’s Historical Markers

    Pennsylvania’s historical markers may only contain a few lines, but behind each one is a much bigger story. In this episode of Start Here, America Did., MarkerQuest creator Laura Klotz shares how she has spent years uncovering the people, places, events, and unexpected connections hidden behind the Commonwealth’s blue-and-gold markers. From Revolutionary War mysteries and Moravian settlements to family connections stretching back generations, Laura reveals how history can be found in the places we pass every day. Along the way, she reminds us that Pennsylvania’s story was shaped not only by famous names, but by ordinary people whose lives left a lasting mark on the Commonwealth. Discover what can happen when you slow down, follow the markers, and look a little closer at the history all around you.

  4. Sep 1

    Opening the Day Book: Charles Thomson’s Life Beyond the Continental Congress

    What can a nearly 300-page day book reveal about life after the American Revolution? In our next episode, we explore a lesser-known side of Charles Thomson, longtime Secretary of the Continental Congress, through the daybook he kept during his retirement at Harriton House in Montgomery County. Host Sydney Harris-White is joined by Laura Carpenter Myers, Executive Director of the Harriton Association, to discuss the ongoing effort to transcribe Thomson’s daybook and the fascinating stories emerging from its pages, offering a rare glimpse into everyday life in early Pennsylvania. It is a reminder that history is not only found in defining moments, but in the small details left behind.

  5. Aug 25

    The Untold Story of Dorcas Buchanan

    Long before Lewistown became Lewistown, Dorcas Buchanan was helping build a life on the Pennsylvania frontier.   In our next episode, host Sydney Harris-White is joined by journalist and Lewistown native Cate Barron to uncover the remarkable story of a woman whose life spanned nearly the entire 18th century. From dangerous journeys through the Pennsylvania wilderness and repeated upheaval during the French and Indian War to family tragedy, frontier trade, Revolutionary-era turmoil, and legends that have survived for generations, Dorcas Buchanan’s story is one of extraordinary perseverance.   Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of frontier violence, death, and other difficult aspects of 18th-century life.

  6. Aug 18

    Gardens, Legacy, and a River View: The Living Landscape of Andalusia

    Step inside one of Pennsylvania’s most remarkable historic estates. In this episode, listeners travel to Andalusia Historic House, Gardens and Arboretum, a breathtaking property along the Delaware River where more than two centuries of American history are preserved in the home, gardens, collections, and stories of the Biddle family. Executive Director John Vick shares how Andalusia evolved from an 18th-century summer retreat into the grand Greek Revival estate visitors experience today, while revealing the extraordinary Biddle family connections to the American Revolution, the Second Bank of the United States, historic preservation, architecture, and horticulture. From Nicholas Biddle’s clash with President Andrew Jackson to Revolutionary War stories, rare family treasures, a nearly 200-year-old walled garden, and sweeping views of the Delaware River, discover a place where history doesn’t simply sit behind glass. It surrounds you.

  7. Jun 30

    Independence Carried Forward: Valley Forge and America’s 250th

    In this special Fourth of July episode, America250PA brings the story of independence back to one of Pennsylvania’s most powerful Revolutionary landmarks: Valley Forge. Host Sydney Harris-White is joined by Molly Duffy, Executive Director of the Valley Forge Park Alliance, and Don Naimoli, VFPA Chair Emeritus, for a moving conversation about the hardship, leadership, perseverance, and unity that shaped the American Revolution after the Declaration of Independence was signed. From the mud, smoke, and sacrifice of the 1777-1778 encampment to the legacy of George Washington, Baron von Steuben, and the citizen stewards who continue to protect the park today, this episode reminds us that independence was not just declared in Philadelphia. It was tested, carried forward, and kept alive by people who believed in something bigger than themselves. As Pennsylvania and the nation mark 250 years of American independence, Valley Forge stands as a living reminder of what it took to secure the promise of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and why these stories still matter today. Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of the hardships of Valley Forge and the American Revolution, including difficult living conditions, hunger, illness, death, and the realities of war. Listener discretion is advised.

  8. Jun 9

    The Birthplace of American Conservation: Grey Towers

    In our next episode, we explore Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, Pennsylvania, the former home of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the United States Forest Service and a two-term Governor of Pennsylvania. Joined by Jared Simister, Director of Interpretation for Grey Towers, this episode highlights the Pinchot family’s role in shaping the American conservation movement. From its historic home and landscape to its lasting connection to forestry and public service, Grey Towers tells the story of protecting natural resources for future generations.

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Telling the unique stories that make up the diverse fabric of Pennsylvania.

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