Curator's Choice
Like history? Love museums? From ancient relics to modern marvels, each episode of this show features a new museum and a sampling of some amazing artifacts housed there. What makes Curator's Choice truly special is our exclusive interviews with the unsung heroes of museums—the curators themselves. These guardians of history will share insights, anecdotes, and the often untold stories that breathe life into the artifacts they protect. Through this podcast, our mission is to dispel the notion of museums as static, old, and dull spaces. Instead, we aim to reveal them as vibrant repositories brimming with mystery and wonder, one artifact at a time. New episodes are released every two weeks, and you can tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!
Episodes
Ever wondered how a humble canned meat could become a cultural icon? Join us as we uncover the rich history and global legacy of Spam. We'll take you back to its origins in Austin, Minnesota, where Jay Hormel's quest for a fully cooked ham led to the creation of Spam 87 years ago. Discover how this innovative product became a vital food source for soldiers during World War II and evolved into a belo...
Step behind the neon glow with me as we venture into a radiant corner of Las Vegas history at the Neon Sign Museum. With Aaron Berger as our guide, we delve into a treasure trove of glowing lights that tell the story of Sin City.
🎰 Illuminating Las Vegas's Past and Preserving Its Glow 💡
Las Vegas's neon signs are more than just advertisements; they're historical landmarks that re...
Embark on a captivating journey through the life of the legendary Babe Ruth, from his humble beginnings in Pig Town to his towering fame in American baseball. Dive deep into the story behind his iconic status, dispelling myths and revealing the influences that shaped him early on. Explore the man behind the legend, tracing his roots from Pig Town to the pivotal moment he signed his first professional contract...
All aboard as we delve into Maryland's captivating trolley history at the Boonsboro Trolley Station Museum. Uncover how these transport marvels transformed rural connections, surprising even in funeral processions. With Reuben Moss leading the way, we unravel the intricate impact of trolleys on local trade, education, and the agricultural economy.
💡 Boonesboro's Trolley Tales: Cantaloupes,...
Embark with us on a highway through history as we unravel the fabric of America's love affair with her roads. From the meticulous preservation efforts of past pathways in Frederick County to the lonely stretches of Nevada's Route 50, this episode is a true homage to the arteries that have shaped our nation. With guest Bob Savitt, we witness the celebratory opening of a museum dedicated to the Nation...
Embark on a journey into the heart of Baltimore where the first dental school took root, revolutionizing oral health care. We'll reveal the pivotal moments that sparked the dire need for dental regulation, from sideshow jaw hackers to educated dentistry professionals.
🔧 From Baltimore's Roots to Regal Dentures 🦷
With Scott Swank as our guide, we reveal the pivotal moments that sparke...
Step into the whispered secrets of the past and uncover the echoes of history within the walls of the Lee-Fendall House. With our guide, Jenny Waters, we stroll through the timeline of this architectural marvel, from its conception in 1785 by Philip Richard Fendall to its dramatic roles during the War of 1812 and the Civil War. We'll weigh the gravity of a potential name change for this historic house mu...
Step into the glittering past of Las Vegas and discover how the city's infamous mobsters played a pivotal role in its rise to fame. Our journey chronicles the visionaries like Meyer Lansky and Bugsy Siegel, who laid the foundations of modern Vegas, and the likes of Moe Dalitz and Benny Binion, who left indelible marks on the city's landscape. Listen to the tales of ambition, power, and downfall that...
Step into the quirky and captivating realm of the Poozeum, where fossilized feces are not only objects of curiosity but also a cultural phenomenon reshaping our understanding of natural history. Guiding you through this journey is your host Ayla Sparks and Coprolite Captain George Frandsen, who boasts an extraordinary repository of over 8,000 coprolites and holds two Guinness World records.
💩 Unveil...
Step aboard a journey through time as we illuminate the remarkable tale of the Drum Point Lighthouse! Your host Ayla Sparks and guest Kevin Allor guide you through the immersive chronicles of this iconic beacon and the dedicated souls who tended to its flame. From guiding vessels through the Chesapeake Bay's misty waters in the 1800s to its triumphant resurgence following years of neglect, the Drum Point...
Discover a treasure trove of history as your host Ayla Sparks, along with guest Jess Cragg, take you through the industrial evolution of Pensacola, Florida. Our episode unearths how the Industrial Revolution reshaped a fort town into a center of progress, revealing the ingenuity behind Snapper Smacks and the monumental role of trains like the T.R. Miller Mill Company Steam Engine #12. As we walk through time,...
On today’s episode, join host Ayla Sparks as she embarks on a captivating journey through the evolution of roadway travel at the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum in Luray, Virginia. Our guest, Rod Graves, takes us on a tour of this remarkable institution, showcasing over 140 items that paint a vivid picture of transportation history. From the opulent mid-18th century Berlin Coup de Gala, emblematic of Portugu...
Curator’s Choice is back and better than ever! We're thrilled to unveil a fresh design, upgraded mic equipment, and an array of new museums and artifacts to share with you. Get ready for some upcoming highlights, including a visit to the Poozeum – yes, you heard that right! We'll also be exploring the enchanting Drum Point Lighthouse, the delectable Southern Food and Beverage Museum, and so much mor...
Continuing our trek in Luray, Virginia, I meet with Isabela Graves from the Shenandoah Heritage Village Museum. She shares the incredible work she and her husband have been doing to preserve the history of the valley, and some truly spectacular artifacts housed there.
Shenandoah Heritage Village
The Shenandoah Heritage Village is a seven-acre re-creation of a small 19th-century farming community ...
This week we head to Virginia to visit Luray Caverns, the most highly decorated caverns in the world according to the Smithsonian. In this episode, we hear from three professionals who share the history of the caverns, the science behind the decorating formations, and how The Great Stalacpipe Organ creates music.
Phantom Chasers
Luray Caverns was discovered on August 13th, 1878 by three local...
This week we meet with Julia Rose at the Marietta House Museum.
“Marietta House Museum houses the histories of multiple generations of families, free and enslaved, who lived and labored on the roughly 600 acres that made up Marietta Manor. The historic site holds the stories of how life was lived in agricultural Maryland from the Federal Era, Antebellum years, Civil War period, Jim Crow and Reconstruction thro...
This week we meet with Robert Hicks, the previous Director of the Mutter Museum in Philadelphia. The Museum contains a collection of anatomical and pathological specimens, wax models, and antique medical equipment, and is part of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Along with the many preserved specimens in the macabre repository, you can find the liver of conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker, a 40 lb ...
This week we meet with Kristin DeGrace at the Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum in Maryland. She shares with us the incredible dream behind a vacation paradise destination, getting buried alive to make a living during the Great Depression, and about a railway trying to stay relevant in a changing world.
“In the late 1800s, a group of Colorado railroad men shared a dream to build a world-class seaside ...
This week we meet with Robert Emerson at Old Fort Niagara in New York. The first fortified structure on the area was built in 1678 and has a few rebuilds and remodeling done since. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the roads were abysmal and the best way to travel was by water. And the great lakes created this water superhighway, so the location of the Fort at the mouth of the Niagara River was coveted by the F...
This week we meet with Laura Scharle at the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Life saving stations were erected along the Eastern coastline, at about 5 - 7 mile intervals. The purpose of these stations was to offer rescue and first aid to victims of shipwrecks. A precursor to today’s U.S. Coast Guard, the United States Lifesaving Service staffed these stations with trained s...
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