The America250PA ”Start Here, America Did” Podcast

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.

Scranton’s got rhythm—and for the last two decades, it’s been swinging to the sound of jazz. In this episode, Sydney Harris sits down with Marko Marcinko, founder and artistic director of the Scranton Jazz Festival, to reflect on 20 years of music, momentum, and community.
What began as a modest summer concert has evolved into a nationally recognized, three-day celebration that transforms downtown into a jazz-filled hub of culture and connection. From brass bands in the streets to big band headliners at the Cultural Center, the Scranton Jazz Festival blends global talent with Pennsylvania pride—and honors the region’s deep jazz roots, from the Dorsey Brothers to today’s rising stars. Tune in as Marcinko shares why jazz is “the ultimate version of democracy" and why Scranton might just be the coolest place to hear America’s greatest export.

Travel to Doylestown, where Pennsylvania’s past is pressed into every piece of clay. Host Sydney Harris sits down with Brendan Duffey, Administrative Director of the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works, to uncover the enduring legacy of Henry Chapman Mercer—a visionary tilemaker, archaeologist, and storyteller who helped shape America’s Arts and Crafts movement.Explore how this one-of-a-kind living history museum still crafts hand-pressed tiles using centuries-old methods—and why Mercer’s belief in the power of the handmade continues to inspire artists, designers, and history lovers alike.From the floors of the Pennsylvania Capitol to the kilns of Bucks County, this episode invites you to see craftsmanship—and storytelling—in a whole new light.

Long before the shot heard 'round the world, another critical battle was shaping the course of American history—deep in the woods of Western Pennsylvania.In this episode, host Sydney Harris is joined by Matthew Adams, museum manager at Bushy Run Battlefield, to uncover the dramatic and often overlooked events of the Battle of Bushy Run. Fought in 1763 during Pontiac’s War, this fierce two-day conflict pitted British forces against a coalition of Native American nations and marked a pivotal moment in the struggle for control over the frontier.Together, they explore how the clash at Bushy Run echoed far beyond the battlefield, influencing the future of colonial expansion, British-Native relations, and even the coming Revolution. From Swiss mercenaries to frontier families, guerrilla warfare to community preservation—this is a story full of unexpected characters and rich historical insight.Tune in as we trace the lesser-known but no less vital roots of American independence and shine a light on the people keeping that legacy alive today.
 

Buckle up—Episode 42 is cleared for landing! In this special edition of Start Here, America Did, we’re soaring into the skies over Westmoreland County to celebrate a century of airshows at the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. Host Sydney Harris is joined by longtime Executive Director Gabe Monzo to explore the legacy of one of Pennsylvania’s most thrilling and community-driven events.
From humble beginnings in 1925 to this year’s awe-inspiring performances by the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds and F-16 tactical demos, the 2025 Air Show (June 21–22) is set to honor the past and inspire the future. Along the way, we spotlight the people and pride behind the show—and reflect on how Pennsylvania’s rich aviation story fits into the larger celebration of America’s 250th birthday.