February 25, 1946 was a pivotal day in the history of the country, but no one knew it at the time. Gladys Stephenson and her son James had a disagreement with a local store over their treatment, and an altercation ensued that sparked a serious racial conflict in a community that had a history of strained race relations. The governor called out the National Guard, blood was shed, and people died. More than 100 African Americans were jailed. The subsequent court case featured some of the finest trial lawyers in the country. The incident, remembered as the Columbia Race Riot, was the first such event following World War 2, and marked the first step in the American Civil Rights Movement. Hosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan are joined by historian Dr. Gail O’Brien, author of the book The Color of the Law which talks about his pivotal event in American History.

February 25, 1946 was a pivotal day in the history of the country, but no one knew it at the time.  Gladys Stephenson and her son James had a disagreement with a local store over their treatment, and an altercation ensued that sparked a serious racial conflict in a community that had a history of strained race relations.  The governor called out the National Guard, blood was shed, and people died.  More than 100 African Americans were jailed.  The subsequent court case featured some of the finest trial lawyers in the country.  The incident, remembered as the Columbia Race Riot, was the first such event following World War 2, and marked the first step in the American Civil Rights Movement.  Hosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan are joined by historian Dr. Gail O’Brien, author of the book The Color of the Law which talks about his pivotal event in American History.

History’s Hook hosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan discuss the lives of several African-Americans who started life in Maury County, Tennessee and went on to national acclaim in various pursuits. Included are the stories of renowned chef to the rich and famous, Rufus Estes; Moses McKissack, a brick maker whose descendants include some of the most highly sought-after architects in the world; and Rev. Edmond Kelley, an enslaved man who was able to obtain his own freedom, then that of his wife and children by becoming one of the most influential preachers in the North, all prior to the Civil War.

Starting life off from the humblest beginnings, Andrew Johnson rose from a simple tailor to a statesman.  The only Southerner to remain in the Senate following secession, Johnson was chosen by Abraham Lincoln as his vice-president in 1864.  Following Lincoln’s assassination a few months later, Johnson found himself hated by many of his fellow Tennesseans and distrusted by the Washington establishment. The first president to be impeached, Johnson was also a brave leader who did his best to heal the nation following the Civil War. Kendra Hinkle, museum specialist at the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville, TN discusses the 17th President.

Tennessee boasts three presidents. Host Tom Price begins his three part presidential series by interviewing the long-time director of the President James K. Polk Home and Museum, John Holtzapple. Polk is one of the least-known presidents in American history, but as you will hear, deserves to be remembered as one of the most successful. His accomplishments include starting the Naval Academy, the modern postal system, and the Independent Treasury System…none of which were his main goals…which he also accomplished in a promised single term of office.

As part of the series on Tennessee’s three presidents, this episode of History’s Hook focuses on the first of them: Andrew Jackson.  Old Hickory, the first populist president changed the face of American politics.  Join hosts Tom Price and Dr. Barry Gidcomb as they speak with Marsha Mullin, Vice President of Collections and Research, and chief curator at the Hermitage, The Home of Andrew Jackson, just outside of Nashville.

Cemeteries as we know them today came about in the 1830’s.  Prior to that, the dead were typically buried in churchyards and backyards.  But with this change, the often elaborate planning of cemeteries resembled park settings, where people went to picnic, hunt, have races…and commune with the dead.  Cemeteries were filled with benches and in the absence of museums and galleries and botanical gardens, featured beautiful sculptures and horticultural art.  Yet during times of pandemic, cemeteries were places where disease and its victims gathered…kept separate from living spaces.  These dichotomies both drew people to cemeteries and pushed them away.  Join Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan as they interview Graham Perry, Historic Preservation Specialist with the Tennessee Historical Commission.

From 1861-1865 Tennessee was a battleground during the American Civil War.  For the majority of the war, much of Tennessee was occupied by Union troops. What was it like for Tennesseans to live in occupied territory?  Conversely, what was it like for Union troops to live in a seceded state?  In this episode, hosts Tom Price and Barry Gidcomb are joined by author and historian Dr. Thomas Flagel who discusses the Union occupation of Tennessee during the Civil War.

History's Hook 09-06-2025 Episode 25: Voices of Segregation: Judge Randolph Baxter
As part of a series on life in the segregation era, History’s Hook hosts, Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan interview Judge Randolph Baxter who graduated from Carver-Smith Highschool in 1963.  He attended Tuskegee University and the University of Akron School of Law.  While there he was an ROTC student, Mr. Baxter served his country in the Vietnam War from 1968-1971, achieving the rank of Captain. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor, among other unit citations while serving with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.  Upon his return, he completed his Doctor of Jurisprudence at the University of Akron and began a legal career that spanned another forty years.  Holding several important positions, he ended his legal career as chief justice of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court.  He currently holds the position of President of the AARP in the State of Ohio.  

Episode 8:  Path to Freedom: Freedmen’s Bureau Schools in Tennessee
To assist the formerly enslaved in their transition to freedom, the federal government inaugurated a program called the Freedmen’s Bureau.  Created in March of 1865, its initial purpose was to "direct… provisions, clothing, and fuel, as may be deemed needful for the immediate and temporary shelter and supply of destitute and suffering refugees and freedmen and their wives and children."  Over the next several years, the Freedmen’s Bureau’s purpose would greatly expand to serve the needs of the African American community.  One of the bureau’s most successful endeavors was in the area of education.  Freedmen’s schools cropped up all over the south, allowing African Americans to gain an education for the first time.  History’s Hook hosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan, with special guest Dr. Antoinette van Zelm, explore the Freedmen’s Bureau and Freedmen’s Schools in Tennessee.