Hoosier History Live

Originally aired 11/16/2024. Have you ever been on the hunt for an item for your home like a vintage door knob, light fixtures, bathtub, window or floor register? Nelson's guest is Tim Harmon, former owner of Tim & Company's Another Fine Mess. The now closed architectural salvage shop on the near east side of Indy sold many salvaged items from numerous architectural eras ranging from as early as 1840 to as recent as 1960. This show had some issues exporting the audio and it cuts out a little early unfortunately. But hey! it's live radio and errors happen. If there is a topic you're interested it, be sure to tune in live if you can on WICR 88.7fm.

Originally aired 11/9/2024. Historian and Riley biographer, Elizabeth Van Allen, is Nelson's guest and shares a range of misconceptions regarding the Hoosier poet. At the peak of his success in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Riley (1849-1916) was the most popular poet in America. Although his poetry celebrated rural life, the well known poet lived as an urbane sophisticate during his fame. ​

Originally aired on 10/26/2024. Content awareness for listeners: This show does contain discussion about violence and may not be suitable for listeners that are senstive to this subject matter. For many decades the murder of Carol Jenkins, a young Black woman from Rushville, Indiana, remained unsolved and a cold case. In September 1968 Carol was murdered in Martinsville, Indiana, a known sundown town. In 2001, a series of revelations began to unfold involving former investigative reporter, Sandra Chapman, who is Nelson's guest for this show. She was left a chilling voice message that helped solve the case. Sandra discusses the case and her role in helping discover what actually happened on that evening in September 1968. Sandra produced a documentary, "The Girl in the Yellow Scarf", about the infamous case and its aftermath. It is now on a broadcast run on PBS stations.

Originally aired 10/19/2024. The downtown Indy building known as City Hall has been in the news recently. At the time this show aired, there were plans to renovate and include it as part of a hotel, art gallery and apartment project. But what is the history of the historic building, which has been sitting vacant after several various uses, including as the home of the Indiana State Museum from 1967-2002? Nelson and his guest Connie Zeigler, author of "Unusual Urban History of Indianapolis" explore Old City Hall's history, along with other urban sites in Indy, including Riley Towers apartments and a mortuary owned by the first African American funeral director in a state.

Originally aired 10/05/2024. Indianapolis-based film historian and preservationist Eric Grayson, has been restoring a rare movie serial, "King of the Kongo", that starred Boris Karloff a few years before he became internationally famous as the Frankenstein monster in 1931. Boris Karloff's daughter, Sara Karloff, joins by phone from California for part of the show. Eric also shares insights about two silent movies starring Lon Chaney that were written by a controversial screenwriter from Noblesville, Indiana.

Originally aired 9/28/2024. Even though we're a history show, Nelson and his guest, Carol Rogers discuss the future. Carol is director of the Indiana Business Research Center at the IU Kelley School of Business. In September 2024, the center released population projections for the next 40 years, including growth rates for specific counties. Nelson and Carol also explore population rates throughout decades past, including the 1930s and 1980s.

Originally aired 09/21/2024. Tom Fontaine, of Indianapolis, whose vast collections include music, movie, and sports memorabilia, shares tips and advice about collecting autographs and much more. A full time collector for several decades, Tom buys and sells memorabilia including stage costumes, lyrics, musical instruments and autographs of famous people. He also has written several books, including one about his extensive collections.

Originally aired on 09/14/2024. Nelson is joined by Purdue University historian John Norberg to explore an array of compelling stories, including a horrific collision involving train cars carrying Purdue football players, fans, faculty and alumni for a big game against IU in 1903. Passengers included a football player among those taken to the morgue who recovered and eventually became the governor of Indiana. John and Nelson also discuss the story of two African-American sisters who were denied admission to dorms in the 1940s, and more.

Originally aired 8/31/2024. Nelson is joined by Julia Whitehead, founder and CEO of the Kurt Vonnegut Museum and Library to discuss the author's impact on his peers and those who came after him.

Originally aired on 8/24/2024. Nelson's guest, architectural historian Ben Ross of RATIO Architects, shares insights about the early architects of Indiana.