The America250PA ”Start Here, America Did” Podcast

In Episode 48, Where the Walls Still Speak: Crawford County’s Story Keeper, host Sydney Harris sits down with Josh Sherretts, Executive Director of the Crawford County Historical Society, to uncover how preservation keeps history alive in Northwest Pennsylvania. From restoring Meadville’s iconic Holland Hall and the Tarr Mansion, to launching countywide oral history projects and creating the first true county museum space for Ameri...

On the banks of the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, a quiet farm once stood at the center of extraordinary history. Long before the phrase “Underground Railroad” was even coined, Jonathan and Susanna Mifflin opened their parlor to freedom seekers, while decades later the same land became a Civil War flashpoint when Confederate forces advanced toward the Susquehanna just days before Gettysburg. In this episode, hos...

From Revolutionary War strategy sessions to industrial breakthroughs, from Underground Railroad stops to Olympic arenas, York County’s history is as varied as it is vital to the American story. In this episode, host Sydney Harris sits down with Dan Fink, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at the York County History Center, to uncover the moments, movements, and people who helped shape both the Commonwealth and the nat...

Scranton’s got rhythm—and for the last two decades, it’s been swinging to the sound of jazz. In this episode, Sydney Harris sits down with Marko Marcinko, founder and artistic director of the Scranton Jazz Festival, to reflect on 20 years of music, momentum, and community.

What began as a modest summer concert has evolved into a nationally recognized, three-day celebration that transforms downtown into a jazz-filled hub of culture ...

Travel to Doylestown, where Pennsylvania’s past is pressed into every piece of clay. Host Sydney Harris sits down with Brendan Duffey, Administrative Director of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, to uncover the enduring legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer—a visionary tilemaker, archaeologist, and storyteller who helped shape America’s Arts and Crafts movement. Explore how this one-of-a-kind living history museum still crafts hand-pr...

From humble beginnings in 1925 to this year’s...

In this milestone 40th episode, we’re unlocking the doors to one of Pennsylvania’s hidden gems—the Landis House in Perry County. What looks like an ordinary brick home holds an extraordinary story of international adventure, cultural preservation, and artistic inspiration.

Join host Sydney Harris as she sits down with Rebecca Myers, Project Director at the Perry County Council of the Arts, to explore how a small-town family with ti...

Pennsylvania’s forests, rivers, and wildlife are some of the most treasured in the nation—but they don’t stay beautiful on their own. In this episode, host Sydney Harris sits down with Heidi Pedicone, Director of Programs at Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, to talk about the environmental challenges we face and the small, everyday actions that can lead to big change. From the 500 million pieces of litter lining our ...

Think you know American history? Think again. In this episode, we uncover the forgotten and fascinating stories hidden in Pennsylvania’s small towns—stories that reveal just how deeply local history weaves into the national narrative. Guest Dustin Elder, co-owner of Local Historia, takes us on a captivating journey through central PA, from a daring Revolutionary War expedition to the aftermath of a deadly 1893 circus train wreck, t...

In this special Women’s History Month episode of Start Here, America Did, we uncover the fearless legacies of two Pennsylvania trailblazers who revolutionized investigative journalism: Ida Tarbell and Nellie Bly. From exposing the corrupt practices of Standard Oil to going undercover in a mental asylum to reveal inhumane treatment, Tarbell and Bly reshaped the role of the journalist and challenged the systems of their time. Hear f...

In honor of Women's History Month, this special episode brings history to life with a powerful performance of Harriet Tubman Live! by Shirley Lee Corsey. More than just a conductor on the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was a fearless leader, Civil War spy, and champion for women's rights. Pennsylvania played a pivotal role in her journey, serving as a refuge for freedom seekers and a center of abolitionist efforts.

This episo...

Would you willingly dive into freezing water in the middle of a Pennsylvania winter? Thousands do—and for an incredible cause!

In this episode of Start Here, America Did, host Sydney Harris sits down with Heather Schreiner, Regional Executive Director of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, serving Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties. Sydney and Heather discuss one of the boldest fundraising events of the y...

Dive into the creamy, dreamy tradition that has become a hallmark of the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Episode 32: "The Pennsylvania Farm Show: Complete with a Milkshake." Host Sydney Harris sits down with David Smith, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association, to uncover the story behind the Farm Show’s most beloved treat: the legendary milkshakes. From their humble beginnings at the Farm Show in 1953 to their role...

This holiday season, step back in time to one of the most daring moments in American history—Washington’s legendary crossing of the Delaware River on Christmas Day, 1776. Join host Sydney Harris as she chats with Jennifer Martin, Executive Director of Friends of Washington Crossing Park, to uncover the dramatic story behind this pivotal event and its enduring legacy. Discover how this historical milestone is brought to life each ye...