Located in central Florida, Fort King was a central site during the Seminole Wars and is a National Historic Landmark where visitors from across the globe can visit and learn about the indigenous tribes of the area and experience a sense of what life was like at the fort.

Kathleen Ramirez is the historical program coordinator and sat down with me to share her passion for history, what you can expect when visiting Fort King and her thoughts on how we can better involve indigenous voices. Tune in and learn all about Fort King and be sure to pay the site a visit on your next trip to Florida.

For further information about the site, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com

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Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Join me as I chat with three other super amazing hosts for a history podcast Friendsgiving. Kenny from Abridged Presidential Histories, Howard from Plodding Through the Presidencies and Jerry from the Presidencies of the United States and I all sat down to ask each other questions and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

To find more information about each other these great shows, search their podcasts or head over to the website www.civicsandcoffee.com

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One of the oldest federal institutions in the country, the Post Office is as American as apple pie. Originally intended as a method to ensure communication between the colonies and Britain, the post office has evolved and expanded right along with the nation itself.

So this week I am diving into the history of the post office. When was it started? How was it changed over the years? And is it something we still need?

For source material, transcripts and information on how you can support the show, visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com. 

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One of the founders of the city of San Francisco, very little is known about William Alexander Leidesdorff. Born on the island of St. Croix in 1810, Leidesdorff helped pave the way for the sleepy pueblo town known as Yerba Buena to become a bustling, thriving port city.

Join me this week as I dive into the life of William Leidesdorff.

For show notes, transcripts and information on how you can support the podcast, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com

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Over the summer I had the wonderful opportunity to present at the virtual conference Intelligent Speech. The theme of the conference was crossings and so I selected a woman from history who crossed gender lines: Sandra Day O'Connor.

The first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, O'Connor helped pave the way for the women who came after her. But just who was O'Connor? And why was she so polarizing during her tenure? Tune in to find out!

For show notes, transcripts and ways you can support the show, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com

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In 1978, a young unknown director put together a small independent horror movie that took place on one of the scariest nights of the year: Halloween. The film, named after the holiday it takes place on, went on to become one of the biggest horror movie franchises is movie history.

Join me this week as I wrap up October with a look at the history of Halloween. How did the film come about? Why does it have such staying power? And what influence did it have on movies?

For notes, transcripts or to request your own topic, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com

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One of the most notorious horror writers in history, Edgar Allan Poe produced a voluminous collection of work before his untimely death at the age of forty.

His life was a series of sad events and lost opportunities. From being orphaned before he could walk, to losing the love of his life to the same disease that killed his mother, it is no wonder Poe took to writing about the dark and creepy to help get him through the trauma.

But just who was Poe? And was he is as spooky and aloof as he is sometimes portrayed? Tune in this week to find out.

For transcripts, source material and to make contact, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com

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Join me this week as I wrap up the story of the infamous serial killer who terrorized the Bay Area in late sixties.

In this episode, I discuss the crimes against Cecelia Ann Shephard, Bryan Hartnell and Paul Stine. I also discuss the ongoing desire for media attention by the Zodiac and the other crimes he may be linked to.

For source material or to request your own topic, head over to the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com 

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One of the most infamous crime sprees in United States history, the man who would be known as the Zodiac terrified the sleepy Northern California community in the late sixties. Taunting police with letters and coded messages, the Zodiac has never been caught. 

A topic that was one of my first listener requests, I thought it fitting to discuss the details of this case and review why the Zodiac continues to fascinate people over fifty years later. Thanks to Amanda for making the request and I hope you all enjoy part one! 

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Hannah Van Buren never lived to see her husband take the oath of office as the eighth president of the United States. Passing away decades before he hit the national stage, very little is known about the woman who would have become the first First Lady to be born a United States citizen.

Instead, Van Buren came to rely on his daughter in-law, Angelica Singleton Van Buren.

Both of these women played important roles in Van Buren's life, however very little is known about either of them.

Tune in this week as I cover both Hannah Van Buren and Angelica Singleton Van Buren. Who were they? And why don't we know more?

For reference material and transcripts, please visit the website at www.civicsandcoffee.com

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