The Wilmington History Society is a group dedicated to promoting pride and interest in the history of Wilmington and Northern Delaware.
Episodes
Monday May 11, 2020
Monday May 11, 2020
In the third podcast with local historian Bill Knightly on his research on Revolutionary War Era Wilmington, Nathan and Bill go into greater depth on the Marquis de Lafayette, a 19 year old from France, who barely spoke English, become a major figure in the US Revolution, came of age in Wilmington, and maintained strong ties to Delaware throughout his life:
Some Topics Discussed:
04:00 - Who is Lafeyette and why is he important?
08:13 - How does a teenager that barely speaks English develop such a good relationship with George Washington?
12:00 - The role of Ben Franklin in "vouching" for Lafayette
15:00 - Wouldn't the appointment of 19 year-old with no combat experience to the highest rank of Major General cause resentment within the Army?
17:15 - How did Lafayette square his passionate belief in liberty for all with his deep admiration for George Washington, a major slave owner?
24:00 - 2 minute summary of his involvement in the war from a military perspective
28:00 - Was there a particular tavern in Wilmington that Lafayette preferred?
29:35 - Lafayette escapes the guillotine yet spends 5 years in jail
33:10 - The Grand return of 1824
46:00 - A 2nd return trip to Wilmington
54:00 - A telling story Bill found in his research that conveys the spirit of the man
Tuesday May 05, 2020
Tuesday May 05, 2020
In this Wilmington History Society podcast Nathan Field interviews life-long Wilmingtonian John Riley, the author of an excellent new book on Delaware, described as "a behind the scenes look at more than six decades of the people, places and events in and around the First State."
Some Topics Discussed:
7:05 - Encounters between John and Joe Biden Over the Years
13:45 - The Decline of Hercules & Dupont - Inevitable outcome of global trends or in retrospect could something have been done differently to keep those companies in Wilmington?
25:58 - What was it like having "the Irishman" from the new Netflix movie pull a gun on you?
28:45 - Who were 3 of the most formative Delaware personalities you've come across over the years?
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
Saturday Apr 25, 2020
In this podcast Nathan Field interviews local historian Bill Knightly about the momentous military events that took place in Northern Delaware in the summer and fall of 1777.
Some Topics Discussed:
2:00 - How Wilmingtonians react to new taxes imposed by Parliament
8:55 - When fighting breaks out, which side(s) are Delawareans supporting?
12:28 - The 30,000 foot military picture as of mid-1777
16:38 - The Continental Army sets up shop in Wilmington
21:00 - Mr. Broom of Broom St fame's critical assistance to George Washington
23:34 - Legendary figures from American History that were here in Wilmington
26:48 - The 2-minute history of the Battle of Brandywine
31:20 - Analyzing Washington's written orders and maps as a retired Army Infantry Colonel
36:10 – The British occupy Wilmington and kidnap Delaware's governor in Quaker Hill
51:00 - Battlefield sites people can still see today
Friday Apr 17, 2020
Friday Apr 17, 2020
In the first of many WHS podcasts, Nathan Field interviews local historian Bill Knightly about Wilmington during the Colonial era to set the stage for a 2nd and 3rd podcast with Bill on Delaware during the Revolutionary war itself.
Some Topics Discussed:
10:00 - What it was like to walk up Market St in 1750
15:00 - The violent rivalry between the 2nd St and 4th St Markets
22:30 - How did Wilmington get its name?
30:00 – The colonial “tavern scene”
36:45 - Why Napoleon's rise to power changed the nature of our town
43:15 - Was there an "education system" as that term is understand today?
46:15 - Navigating the Kings Highway (Rt 13) in 18th Century Wilmington
55:00 – Who were the "big employers" of the day?
1:01 - An interesting method for getting rid of criminals
1:04 - What buildings still stand today from the Colonial Era?
1:08 - Where in Wilmington did George Washington definitely sleep?