Front Porch Radio - History's Hook

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.

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.

Episode 8: Path to Freedom: Freedmen’s Bureau Schools in TennesseeTo 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.

Episode 2: The Devil’s Backbone: The History of the Natchez TraceHistory’s Hook’s hosts, Tom Price and Dr. Barry Gidcomb welcome Tony Turnbow, author of “The Natchez Trace in the War of 1812” which was published in The Journal of Mississippi History and most recently, the full length book published by Time Tunnel Media titled, Hardened to Hickory: The Missing Chapter in Andrew Jackson’s Life. The Natchez Trace is a 444 mile route between Nashville, Tennessee and Natchez, Mississippi. The road has been the backdrop to some incredible history including military campaigns, economic expansion in the West, and even the murder of explorer Meriwether Lewis!

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.

What does it feel like to be in control of enough firepower to obliterate a continent? Join host Tom Price as he interviews former ballistic missile sub commander Ronald Ladd. After growing up on a farm in rural Maury County, TN, Ron Ladd attended Rice University for math and engineering on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Following his graduation, he was commissioned as an officer in the navy, where after working for the “Father of the Nuclear Navy,” Admiral Hyman Rickover, he joined the submarine service. He deployed aboard the attack submarines USS PUFFER (SSN-652) and USS SEAHORSE (SSN-669). After six years on attack subs, he became the executive officer aboard the ballistic missile sub, USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN-657) before taking command of USS JOHN C. CALHOUN (SSBN-630). After retiring from the navy, Cmdr. Ladd joined Raytheon Corporation, working on multi-branch detection systems. After 21 years with Ratheon, he retired back to his family farm in Maury County, Tennessee. Join host Tom Price, as he speaks with Mr. Ladd about his navy days.

Episode 29: Voices of Segregation: Lyman JohnsonHosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan are joined by Louisville, Kentucky native Lyman M. Johnson. After attending the University of Louisville and spending time in the military, he also attended the University of Kentucky where he studied chemistry. He spent his career as a chemist for Honeywell Corporation before working as an environmental chemist with the Environmental Protection Agency. He now lives near Los Angeles, CaliforniaMr. Johnson’s father Lyman T. Johnson was a leader in the American Civil Rights movement. The first black man to be admitted to the University of Kentucky, after having to sue for the right to attend, he eventually was bestowed three honorary doctorates. A building on the campus bears his name. Our guest’s grandfather Robert G. Johnson was a leader in the education of black students and served as a teacher and principal here in Columbia, TN. Our guest’s great-grandfather was born enslaved here in Maury County, and was able to purchase his freedom and that of his wife before becoming, himself, educated. It’s truly an inspiring American story.