Talking Hoosier History

"I Did Not Walk Alone:" The Civil Rights Work of Rabbi Maurice Davis Mar 31, 2021

In 1965, at the height of the Civil Rights Movement, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. called for religious leaders representing all faiths to join him in Selma, Alabama, for a march responding to recent violence against peaceful protestors. Rabbi Maurice Davis of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (IHC) answered this call, despite threats to his life. This episode looks at the work of Rabbi Davis to fight segregation and discrimination in Indianapolis, especially in housing and employment. It also considers why Jewish Americans joined the Black-led Civil Rights Movement in greater numbers than other groups and what lessons his work teaches us today about allyship and interfaith work for greater rights for all Americans. Current IHC Rabbi Brett Krichiver brings the words of his predecessor to life with music from IHC Cantor Aviva Marer. IHB historian Justin Clark hosts. Written and produced by IHB historian Jill Weiss Simins.

Giving Voice: Karen Freeman-Wilson Mar 03, 2021

On this episode of Giving Voice, IHB historian Nicole Poletika talks with Karen Freeman-Wilson, the former mayor of Gary and current President of the Chicago Urban League. A follow up to the most recent Talking Hoosier History episode, "Tribe Come Home: The 1972 National Black Political Convention," their discussion centers on the ongoing effort for equal rights in Indiana, especially for Black women.

“Tribe Come Home:” The 1972 National Black Political Convention in Gary, Indiana Feb 17, 2021

Thousands of Black Americans from around the country came to Gary, Indiana, for the 1972 Black National Political Convention to transform the Black Power Movement into the Black Political Power Movement. Leaders worked to channel collective outrage - caused by voter suppression and discrimination, as well as the assassinations of major Civil Rights leaders - into political reform.

Giving Voice: Dr. James Madison Dec 23, 2020

On this installment of Giving Voice, we speak with Dr. James Madison, Professor Emeritus of History at Indiana University and the author of the new book Ku Klux Klan in the Heartland about the Klan in Indiana in the 1920s. In our discussion, we talk about who joined the Klan and why, how the Klan came to power, and the legacy left by the Klan today.

See a transcript and show notes for this episode here.

Notre Dame Tackles the Klan Dec 09, 2020

On May 24, 1924, the Ku Klux Klan attempted to hold a meeting in South Bend, Indiana. They were met with furious Notre Dame students and South Bend citizens, who banded together to drive the organization out of town. When the Klan used this confrontation as fodder for anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic propaganda, university administration needed to find a way to combat the smear campaign. They found their answer in a wildly successful Notre Dame football team.

Find a transcript and show notes here.

Giving Voice: Sarah Halter Nov 11, 2020

For this installment, we talk with Sarah Halter, the Executive Director of the Indiana Medical History Museum. In this episode, we talk about the history of the treatment of mental illness in Indiana, the development of the malarial syphilis treatment, and how the museum is working to humanize the specimens in their collection.

See show notes and transcripts here.

Rufus Cantrell: King of Ghouls Oct 28, 2020

Rufus Cantrell was a lot of things in his life: A driver. A porter. A clerk. An undertaker. In 1902, he added a new title to that list: The King of Ghouls. Cantrell, along with approximately seven other men, ran one of the most successful body-snatching syndicates in the city of Indianapolis. This is the story of his downfall.

Giving Voice: Susan Hall Dotson and Kisha Tandy Sep 23, 2020

In this installment of Giving Voice, host Lindsey Beckley speaks with Susan Hall Dotson and Kisha Tandy about the suffrage movement in the African American communities at the state and national level. The discussion touches on issues of inclusion, storytelling, and the importance of telling a richer version of the suffrage story than what is often heard.

See transcripts and show notes here.

Indiana Women's Suffrage: The New Day Dawns Sep 09, 2020

In this, the second of a two-part series covering the women's suffrage movement in Indiana, we follow the women who dedicated their lives to the fight for enfranchisement to its end - the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Find a transcript and show notes here.

Giving Voice: Dr. Nadia Brown Aug 12, 2020

On this installment of Giving Voice, we talk with Nadia E. Brown, a University Faculty Scholar and Associate Professor of Political Science and African American Studies at Purdue University. We talk about intersectionality, political representation, and how representation in our country is shifting at this very moment.

You can find transcripts and show notes for this episode here.

Indiana Women's Suffrage Jul 29, 2020

In this episode, we meet the diverse suffragists who led Hoosier women’s fight for the vote during the re-invigoration of the movement starting around 1911. We follow them as they organize, educate, lobby, protest, and march in the streets.

Thank you to Lt. Governor Suzanne Crouch and director of the Propylaeum Liz Ellis for lending their voices to this episode. Learn more about the celebration of the centennial of women's suffrage here.

See the transcript and show notes for this episode here.

Giving Voice: Kera Lovell Jun 24, 2020

In the last episode of Talking Hoosier History, we discussed the Black Market Firebombing and the people's park which was erected in its place. On this installment of Giving Voice, Host Lindsey Beckley talks to Professor of American History and people's park scholar Kera Lovell about the history and legacy of the People's Park Movement of the 1960s and 70s.

The Black Market Firebombing Jun 10, 2020

On December 26, 1968, the quiet was ripped away from Bloomington, Indiana when a Molotov Cocktail was thrown through the window of a small shop on the corner of Kirkwood Avenue and Dunn Street. But this was no random act of violence - it was a targeted attack. On this episode, we discuss the revolutionary spirit of 1968 on Indiana University's campus, the racist backlash, and the repercussions that continue to echo from that backlash. Find show notes at blog.history.in.gov.

Giving Voice: Chief Ben Barnes May 13, 2020

For this installment of Giving Voice, we had the pleasure of talking with Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe about the Shawnee nation in Indiana.

See a full transcript and show notes here.

Tenskwatawa: The Rise and Fall of a Nation Apr 01, 2020

In this second part of a two-part series, we follow Tenskwatawa, also known as "The Prophet," as he gains power, eventually becoming the leader of the largest population center in the present-day midwest. We then examine the many factors contributing to his downfall.

See a full transcript and show notes here.

Giving Voice: Erin Carlson Mast Mar 25, 2020

On the most recent episode of Talking Hoosier History, we explored the History Relevance Campaign and how different institutions from around the nation are creating innovative programming using its guidance. In this Giving Voice, we speak with Erin Carlson Mast, CEO and Executive Director of President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington DC, which is a stand out in the field when it comes to making history relevant to their visitors.

See a transcript and show notes here.

History Relevance 101 Mar 11, 2020

Last fall, IHB partnered with Conner Prairie and the National Council on Public History to host a workshop covering the History Relevance Campaign. On this episode, we bring the valuable discussions from that day to you, our listeners. We ask you the question: What do you expect from your historical institutions? What should you expect?

See show notes and transcripts here.

Giving Voice: Chris Newell Feb 12, 2020

In this episode of Giving Voice, we talk with Chris Newell, Director of Education for the Akomawt Educational Initiative. We discuss the importance of including Native voices and and sources in Native history, decolonizing historical institutions, and more.

Learn more at akomawt.org.

You can find show notes and transcripts here.

Tenskwatawa: The Making of a Prophet Jan 29, 2020

Shawnee political and religious leader Tenskwatawa, or The Prophet, rose from relative obscurity to become one of the most powerful figures of his time.

In this episode, we explore how a series of visions guided The Prophet to attempt to change the course of history.

All music in this episode was performed by award-winning flute player Darren Thompson.

See show notes and further music credits here.

Giving Voice: Rachel Smith Dec 19, 2019

Rachel Smith is an assistant lecturer on Women and Gender Studies at Ball State University who studies the intersection of Modern American Spiritualism and feminism. On this episode of Giving Voice, Rachel and Lindsey talk about the role spiritualism played in the Woman's Rights Movement and vice versa.

See the show notes here.

Spiritualism: Beyond the Spectacle Dec 04, 2019

Modern American Spiritualism was introduced to Indiana soon after its formation in the 1840s. While the religion is often cast as a queer footnote of history, to be exploited during the Halloween season but largely ignored the rest of the year, Spiritualism has a rich and complex history in the Hoosier state.

In this episode we explore those complexities.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Giving Voice: Jeremy Turner Oct 31, 2019

On the last episode of Talking Hoosier History, we talked about Indiana teen Ryan White, who advocated for AIDS education while battling the disease in the 1980s.

On this installment of Giving Voice, we interview Jeremy Turner, Director of the HIV/STD Viral Hepatitis Division of the Indiana State Department of Health, about where we are today in the fight against HIV/AIDS and what it will take to eliminate the disease in America by 2030.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Overcoming Stigma: Ryan White's AIDS Education Advocacy Oct 16, 2019

Indiana teenager Ryan White was diagnosed with AIDS at 13 years of age after contracting the fatal disease from a contaminated hemophilia treatment. Rather than despair, Ryan fought for his right to attend school and became a national AIDS education advocate. In this episode of Talking Hooiser History, we tell the story of Ryan White, and how one Indiana community used education to combat the widespread fear and misunderstanding surrounding AIDS in the 1980s.

Read the show notes for this episode here.

Giving Voice: Mike Jackson Sep 19, 2019

On the last episode of Talking Hoosier History, we discussed the South Bend housing cooperative Better Homes of South Bend.

In this, the first installment of Giving Voice, host Lindsey Beckley talks to Mike Jackson, who grew up in the neighborhood established by Better Homes.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

From Redlining to Better Homes Sep 04, 2019

In 1952, 22 families in South Bend, Indiana came together to combat the racist exclusionary practices that were widespread in American cities throughout the 20th century. In this episode, we examine the institutions and policies that led to those exclusionary practices and follow those families who defied them.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Blue Skies, Pink Slips: The Cold War in Indiana May 06, 2019

In this episode, we explore two stories illustrating how different Indiana communities reacted to the fear and misunderstanding of the Cold War era in America. In one, people come together to defend their family and neighbors from possible attack. In the other, free speech and personal liberties are set aside out of fear and misunderstanding.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

"The People Shall Rule:" Debs' Campaign for Socialism Feb 13, 2019

Today, socialism is a misunderstood political buzzword. In this episode, we ask you to set aside preconceptions to look at the historical roots of the movement and what it meant to workers with few protections. In 1912, Terre Haute native Eugene V. Debs ran for president on the Socialist Party of America ticket, which promised to give more power to the average American worker. While he didn't win, his campaign illustrates the power of third parties to shift major party platforms.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

The Rhodes Family Incident Nov 20, 2018

John, Louann, and Lydia Rhodes escaped enslavement in 1836, and eventually settled in Hamilton County, Indiana. Like many formerly enslaved people, they lived with the looming threat of recapture for the next 8 years until, in 1844, their worst fears became reality when their former enslaver showed up on their front doorstep. What came next has come to be called the Rhodes Family Incident.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Haunted Hoosier History 2018 Oct 17, 2018

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, people lived a lot more closely with death than we do today. Mortality rates were much higher. Wakes were held in the family home. And relics of the dead, such as death photographs and hair jewelry, were kept as prize possessions after the wake had ended. Perhaps it’s not surprising then, that from this time came a wealth of ghost stories, often related in the pages of newspapers. In this episode, we'll share just a few of these ghastly tales from the pages of Indiana History.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

"Hello Girls" Fight Back Sep 21, 2018

On Thursday, April 24, 1919, 13 women took off their headsets and staged a walk out at the New Home Telephone Company in Linton, Greene County, Indiana. Five days later, a battle broke out between the people of Linton and the Indiana militia. On this episode of Talking Hoosier History, we explore the harsh working conditions that drove these women to strike and the course of events that led to the whole area around Linton being put under Martial Law.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Hoosier: A Brief Overview Jul 02, 2018

What is a Hoosier? People have been asking just that question for nearly two centuries, but have we ever really figured it out? On this episode of Talking Hoosier History, we explore some of the various and sometimes outlandish explanations of the origin of the most famous demonym in America.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Robert F. Kennedy on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr Mar 28, 2018

On April 4, 1968 Robert Kennedy arrived in Indianapolis for a planned campaign speech. Instead, he had the impossible task of telling the mostly African American audience that Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot and killed. His speech was an inspiring moment of grace in the aftermath of unthinkable violence. However, it was the strong African American leaders of Indianapolis who led the community in peaceful mourning while other cities erupted into violence.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

The Revolutions of George Rogers Clark Mar 06, 2018

You may know that George Rogers Clark took Fort Sackville in Vincennes, Indiana, from the British in a daring siege. But why should we care? How would history be different if he hadn't? What you may not know is that he later expatriated himself and dared a second revolutionary act that also could have changed history and the U.S. map . . . possibly to this day. In this episode of Talking Hoosier History we ask... WHAT IF?

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Lincoln the Boy, the Man, and the Myth Feb 12, 2018

You may know that Abraham Lincoln spent fourteen formative years in Indiana. But what part of this oft-told story is fact and what part is fiction? Did Indiana shape Lincoln into the man who would become one of the greatest U.S. presidents? Or did he achieve greatness despite his Indiana roots? This episode of Talking Hoosier History explores Lincoln the man, Lincoln the myth, and the grey area in between.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Senate Avenue YMCA Monster Meetings Jan 03, 2018

The Senate Avenue YMCA provided a gathering place and rallying point for the African American residents of Indianapolis, who faced prejudice and discrimination in the segregated city. The Y's "Monster Meetings" brought nationally renown speakers such as Martin Luther King Jr. and their messages of hope for equal rights, love for their oppressors, and resistance to the hate of racism. (Guest: Dr. Frank Thomas, Director of the PhD Program in African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis)

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Zerelda G. Wallace: Temperance, Suffrage, and the Good Book Dec 01, 2017

Zerelda Wallace became politically active late in her life, after she raised several children and lost her husband. She made up for lost time, however, becoming a leader in the temperance and suffrage movements in Indiana and nationally. Her strong belief in Christian moral principles and ideas about women as the moral compass of humanity inspired her work to bring women the vote.

Read transcripts and show notes here.

Author Interview: Wendy Gamber on the Notorious Mrs. Clem Nov 01, 2017

In this episode of Talking Hoosier History, we're doing something a little different. Instead of our usual story-telling format, we're interviewing author and historian Wendy Gamber about her tale of one nineteenth century woman's dubious money-making schemes, alleged murder plot, and ensuing five court trials. Meet the Notorious Mrs. Clem.

Haunted Hoosier History: Ghost Stories from the Pages of History Oct 02, 2017

With the rise of spiritualism in the late nineteenth century, Hoosiers began gathering in dimly lit rooms to contact the spirits of the departed. Others didn't go looking at all, but restless ghosts found them nonetheless. Some of these terrifying tales ended up in the pages of Indiana newspapers. Join us as we journey through these eerie encounters . . . if you dare.

Find transcripts and show notes here.

Spanish Influenza: The Dread Malady Hits Indiana Aug 31, 2017

Spanish Influenza hit Indiana in September of 1918. While the virus was killing soldiers and civilians affected by WWI around the world, most Hoosiers assumed they were safe that fall. Unfortunately, the mysterious flu was already on their doorstep. On this episode of Talking Hoosier History we examine the havoc caused by the dread malady and the brave nurses and regular Hoosiers who battled the epidemic.

Read the show notes here.

Scenes from the Indiana State Fair Aug 01, 2017

Follow us through five scenes from the 165 year history of the Indiana State Fair. The curtain rises on the first fair in 1852, when farmers gathered to learn about the latest innovations and compete for prizes such as "best pair men's cowhide shoes." In scene two, we enter the sideshow tent and examine the Victorian moral controversy behind treating people with physical differences like objects. In scene three, we'll rush the stage to see The Beatles in 1964, during their only appearance in the Hoosier State. In scene four, we'll drool over Jessop's Butterscotch Corn and wonder at the young woman who built the business from the back of a wagon. And in scene five we'll walk through Hook's Drug Store Museum and learn about how this temporary exhibit became one of the most popular permanent features of the Indiana State Fair.

Read the show notes here.

The KKK, Political Corruption, and the Indianapolis Times Jul 03, 2017

The Ku Klux Klan came to Indiana in 1920. Within four years it had infiltrated Indiana politics to the highest levels. But they did not go unchallenged. The Indianapolis Times crusaded against the KKK at every step and contributed to their downfall. Learn about the rise and fall of the Indiana Klan and its nefarious leader, the convicted murder D.C. Stephenson in this episode of Talking Hoosier History.

Read the transcript and show notes here.

Midwestern Making of Poet Kenneth Rexroth Jun 01, 2017

Kenneth Rexroth’s poetry, literary criticism, and political activism inspired a generation and solidified his place in the American literary canon. And while much has been written about his years in San Francisco laying the groundwork for a literary renaissance in that city that grew into the larger Beat movement, little has been written about his time in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio – a period when the budding poet rubbed elbows with anarchists, burlesque dancers, criminals, and the artistic and literary elite of the Midwest and the world.

Read the show notes here.

George Washington Julian Vs. Slavery May 01, 2017

In a career spanning half a century, the radical Hoosier politician George Washington Julian worked to end slavery in the United States. Working through various political parties, he maintained his abolitionist views in the face of adversity and helped push the Lincoln administration toward the 13th Amendment. Learn more about Julian in Episode Three of the Indiana Historical Bureau's podcast, Talking Hoosier History.

See the show notes and music credits here.

Physicist Melba Phillips Vs. the Atomic Bomb and the Cold War Mar 31, 2017

During her prestigious career, Hoosier physicist Melba Phillips developed a key quantum theory with J. Robert Oppenheimer, worked for peace in the new atomic age following WWII, and was persecuted as an alleged communist during the McCarthy Era. Learn more about her story in Episode Two of the Indiana Historical Bureau's official podcast, Talking Hoosier History. This episode features music from the award-winning musician Moby!

See the full music credits and read the show notes here.

Bill Garrett and the Integration of IU Basketball Mar 01, 2017

In 1948, African American Hoosier Bill Garrett made his varsity debut at Indiana University, directly challenging the Big Ten ban on black players. Learn more about his story in the first episode of the Indiana Historical Bureau's official podcast, Talking Hoosier History.

Read the show notes here.

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