Take an event, a person, an object, an idea...
I'll be compelled to hunt for a meaningful and unexpected connection to Frederick County.
It's my favorite thing to do.
Hello! Sharing Frederick's stories in the form of a podcast has been on my to-do list for over 15 years. The idea was sparked by an article about East Patrick Street, early motorcyclists, and a comically large bump in the road. Havoc ensued. I could visualize and hear the reporter's words in my mind, and I decided that I wanted to share history in this medium. (Prepare for articles, music, poetry, jokes...the weird, horrifying, joyful, and unbelievable. Local. Worldwide. There's so much to share.)
For over 20 years I was an architectural draftsman in the Mid-Atlantic region, a professional theater artist from N.Y.C. to Frederick, and I worked with historical sites and organizations throughout New Jersey, Maryland, and Virginia. Through these experiences, and from what I've learned in the company of the incredible historians in our local community, I've homed in on what speaks to me about Frederick's past.
I love stories and objects that give a glimpse into everyday people living their everyday lives. This especially includes moments that affected and influenced them that had a ripple effect through time - and the world - that we're still experiencing today.
I also collect and research the stories of antiques specifically related to Frederick's built environment and things that give us a glimpse into people's personal lives.
I long to know how Fredericktonians of the past interacted with this place we call home. They stood on these same street corners, peered through these same windows, paused to hear these same church bells, admired these same foothills, had these same addresses, and lived and loved behind these same walls.
There will inevitably be some mention of the usual players - Francis Scott Key, Barbara Fritchie, Thomas Johnson... but they are not the stars of this show.
Frederick is my real-life Brigadoon. I discovered it unexpectedly during a road trip from New Jersey to western Maryland. Upon stepping into downtown Frederick, I knew I had found the place I needed to be. Two months later, I was living here, and now my family’s roots are firmly planted in this community. I hope to inspire others to share their unique family histories and personal memories so that these treasures are preserved before they’re lost to time.
As the saying goes, "History shared is history saved!"
