The Smithsonian Institution was founded on principles of reason and scientific inquiry. So why is the museum home to countless tales of unexplained phenomena and —dare we say — ghost sightings? Inspired by an apparition at the National Museum of American History, we creak across the floorboards of the museum's attics, sneak into an old house in the woods, an ... Show More
Jan 7
Will the Real Uncle Sam Please Stand Up?
He’s a symbol of patriotism, protest, and power. But behind the red, white, and blue is a real man—and a disputed American origin story. How did a real guy go from meatpacker to meme, to personification of a nation and, eventually, the most famous Army recruiter in history?I WANT ... Show More
31m 14s
Oct 2021
EP95: The 40s "Bombshell" Mind Behind Secure WiFi, GPS And Bluetooth and A Museum Dedicated to Southern Jewish Heritage
On this episode of Our American Stories, we hear about the Austria-born turned Hollywood movie star, Hedy Lamarr. She was known for her beauty, but her accomplishments go far beyond her appearance. Jane Leavey and Sandy Berman tell the story of the museum they created—The Breman ... Show More
38m 13s
Feb 2023
Connecting People Through Salt and Pepper Shakers
On this episode of Our American Stories, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, right below the Great Smoky Mountains you will find the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. Andrea Ludden, daughter of the original collector, shares the story of how this amazing collection came to be a museum. Suppor ... Show More
20m 18s
Apr 2023
Unearthed! in Spring 2023, Part 2
<p>To wrap up Unearthed! for spring 2023, we've got potpourri, jewelry and adornments, edibles and potables, mistaken identity stories, repatriations, and the always popular shipwrecks.</p> <p>Research:</p> <ul> <li>Agence France-Presse. “New Easter Island moai statue discovered ... Show More
42m 13s