The America250PA ”Start Here, America Did” Podcast

Step into a Pennsylvania town that helped save Christmas. In Episode 55, The Town That Saved Christmas: Pennsylvania’s Wellsboro Glass Legacy, host Sydney Harris-White travels to Wellsboro with guest Kylie Birgensmith of the Wellsboro Glass Historical Association to reveal how this small Tioga County community became a global force of light and innovation. From the late 1800s to the arrival of Corning Glass Works in 1916, Wellsboro’s natural resources and determined workforce transformed the borough into a powerhouse of glass production that illuminated cities and homes around the world.
When war disrupted global supply chains, Wellsboro rose to the moment. By adapting the ribbon machine, the plant produced millions of American-made Christmas ornaments, earning the town its unforgettable title. This episode explores the staggering scale of that achievement, the plant’s vital wartime contributions, the women who stepped into the workforce, and the pride that still defines Wellsboro today. It is a story of ingenuity, resilience, and holiday magic that proves Pennsylvania history continues to shine. 

In Episode 54, “Beyond the Chocolate Bar: The Story of The Sweetest Place on Earth,” host Sydney Harris-White sits down with Quinn Bryner of Hershey Entertainment & Resorts to explore how Milton S. Hershey’s vision became far more than a chocolate empire. From the creation of Hersheypark and its iconic resorts to the founding of the Milton Hershey School, this episode uncovers how one man’s commitment to community, innovation, and giving back continues to shape Hershey today.Listeners will also step into the magic of the holiday season as Quinn shares what makes Christmastime in Hershey so special, from five million twinkling lights and live reindeer to nostalgic traditions that have spanned generations. Whether you’re a lifelong visitor or discovering Hershey for the first time, this conversation reveals why The Sweetest Place on Earth remains one of Pennsylvania’s most beloved destinations.

In 1976, Fairview Township caught the “Spirit of 76” and never let it go. In this episode, host Sydney Harris-White sits down with original Fairview Bicentennial Committee members Sabina Shields Freeman and June Hetz to relive the unforgettable year when Freedom Festivals, community variety shows, ox roasts, and neighborhood history tours brought an entire township together. What began as a volunteer effort to celebrate America’s 200th birthday unexpectedly sparked something bigger: the creation of the Fairview Area Historical Society.
Sabina and June reveal how researching early settlers, restoring a forgotten cemetery chapel, and rallying neighbors around the historic Sturgeon House launched a movement to preserve Fairview’s story. Now, as the Historical Society turns 50 alongside America’s 250th, they reflect on half a century of exhibits, camps, and community traditions, and share how Fairview is preparing to honor both its past and its future.
If you love local history, small town stories, and the people who keep them alive, this is an episode you will not want to miss.

In 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette returned to a young United States and turned Lancaster into a sea of arches, banners, and cheering crowds. In this episode, host Sydney Harris sits down with local historian Benton Graves Weber to walk through Lafayette’s unforgettable visit to Lancaster, PA, from the moment he crossed the Chester County line to the candlelit ball, saluting veterans, and even a hastily built pontoon bridge thrown together so the general could continue his journey.
Together, they explore why Lafayette was once honored on the same level as George Washington, what his farewell tour meant to everyday Americans, and how Lancaster marked the 200th anniversary of his visit. Along the way, you will hear about golden ticket style invitations, rare artifacts, and why reenacting history can still inspire new generations as we approach America’s 250th birthday.

What began around a dinner table in 1979 grew into one of Warren County’s most beloved traditions. Host Sydney Harris sits down with director Melissa J. White to trace the Wild Wind Folk Art and Craft Festival from its windy hilltop beginnings to the vibrant two-day celebration it is today. Discover how families, artists, and neighbors built a community around handmade work, from glassblowing and chainsaw carving to pottery, quilting, metal yard art, and even a root beer sign passed through generations.
Melissa shares how the festival keeps its tradition of quality alive, why new trends can blend beautifully with timeless crafts, and how its Bicentennial roots still echo today as we approach America’s 250th. If you love stories rooted in place, tradition, and the people who keep Pennsylvania’s creative spirit alive, you won’t want to miss this episode.

Fifty episodes strong, and we’re raising a glass to where resistance helped define a nation.In this milestone episode of the 'Start Here, America Did' podcast listeners travel to Washington, Pennsylvania, where the spark of the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 tested the strength of America’s fledgling federal government. At the center of it all stood David Bradford, a fiery attorney whose stately home still stands as a National Historic Landmark and living classroom. Joining host Sydney Harris is Tracie Liberatore, Executive Director and CEO of the Bradford House Historical Association, whose team keeps this story alive through immersive tours, hands-on education, and the award-winning Whiskey Rebellion Festival. Together, they uncover how one frontier town became the stage for America’s first great act of defiance and why its lessons still resonate today.From mahogany staircases that witnessed revolution to 18th-century cooking demonstrations and a festival that turns history into celebration, this 50th episode honors the past, celebrates the present, and toasts to fifty stories told and countless more to come.

Host Sydney Harris sits down with Susan Williams and Brandy Owens of Visit Clearfield County to explore a place where Pennsylvania’s lumber heritage meets small-town hospitality. Discover why Clearfield is “halfway to everywhere,” how the Lumberjack Tasting Trail connects past and present, and what makes this corner of the PA Wilds perfect for slowing down—think elk viewing in the fall, rugged trails and waterways, historic theaters, and one of the state’s largest county fairs. You’ll also hear how Clearfield is gearing up for America’s 250th with community-driven celebrations designed to create memories that last a lifetime. Planning a trip? Susan and Brandy share practical tips, from travel planners and “care packages” to can’t-miss stops, so you can root yourself in Clearfield’s stories and set off ready for adventure.

In Episode 48, Where the Walls Still Speak: Crawford County’s Story Keeper, host Sydney Harris sits down with Josh Sherretts, Executive Director of the Crawford County Historical Society, to uncover how preservation keeps history alive in Northwest Pennsylvania. From restoring Meadville’s iconic Holland Hall and the Tarr Mansion, to launching countywide oral history projects and creating the first true county museum space for America’s 250th, Josh shares how the Society blends preservation with storytelling to make history relevant for today’s communities. Listeners will hear how these efforts not only safeguard the past but also enrich the present—inviting everyone to visit, volunteer, or support at crawfordhistorical.org.  

On the banks of the Susquehanna River in Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, a quiet farm once stood at the center of extraordinary history. Long before the phrase “Underground Railroad” was even coined, Jonathan and Susanna Mifflin opened their parlor to freedom seekers, while decades later the same land became a Civil War flashpoint when Confederate forces advanced toward the Susquehanna just days before Gettysburg.In this episode, host Sydney Harris speaks with Peter Miele, Senior Project Leader at the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, about the layered legacy of the Mifflin Farm, the grassroots movement that saved it from development, and its future as the Susquehanna Discovery Center and Heritage Park. From preserving local stories of courage to shaping a national destination for history, art, and reflection, this site shows how Pennsylvania’s landscapes hold the power to change lives, and the course of a nation.

From Revolutionary War strategy sessions to industrial breakthroughs, from Underground Railroad stops to Olympic arenas, York County’s history is as varied as it is vital to the American story. In this episode, host Sydney Harris sits down with Dan Fink, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at the York County History Center, to uncover the moments, movements, and people who helped shape both the Commonwealth and the nation.Discover how York became the birthplace of the Articles of Confederation, why its industrial innovations rippled across the country, and how its residents, from unsung civil rights advocates to world-famous athletes, left a lasting mark. Step inside the award-winning new History Center, explore its immersive History Makers Tower, and hear the stories that continue to influence York’s community today.