Riverhistory.com Podcast

In this episode I share some inspiring tips from the Friends of the Mississippi River and the National Park Service about how we can all make a difference in the quality of our precious rivers.

Mark Twain and I share our expressions of gratitude and wish you a Happy Thanksgiving weekend! All the best, Bill

RHP023 The Gettysburg Address anniversary Tomorrow, November 19, is the anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech. Learn about the event and hear the incredible speech.

RHP022 New Mississippi River Pedestrian Bridge In this episode, learn about how an old bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Memphis, TN recently reopened as the longest pedestrian bridge across the river.

RHP021 Easing Your Election Stress This episode soothes raw nerves about the U.S. election by sharing a selection that celebrates what is beautiful about our nation. These selections from Walt Whitman’s “American Feuillage” celebrate what is diverse and wonderful about our country. It’s the perfect antidote to this toxic election. And it’s got plenty of river references. Enjoy!

RHP020 Special Halloween River Ghost Story For this special Halloween episode, I’ve got a wonderful riverboat ghost story written by a listener to this podcast – a wonderful author named Laurence MacDonald. Enjoy this thriller!

RHP019 West Florida Rebellion The startling story of an independent country that existed along the Mississippi River for only 74 days. This 1811 event shaped the boundaries of the young United States. The tale also includes the first appearance of a unique flag that will reappear time and again throughout history.

RHP018 Guest Experts Discuss Wine and the Columbia River Today’s episode welcomes wine experts Donna Moyer and Harry Moen to discuss the impact of the Columbia River on the amazing vineyards and wineries along the river valley. Learn the factors of river history that influence the variety and quality of the regions wines.

RHP017 The Journey of the Steamboat “New Orleans” On October 20, 1811 the first steamboat built for the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers -- called the “New Orleans” – departed from Pittsburgh on a 2200-mile journey to New Orleans. Along the way it seemed that everything that could go wrong did go wrong. The travelers struggled through fires, floods, rapids, threats of violence, and the worst earthquake ever to hit North America. It is one of the greatest adventure stories in American history. Enjoy!

RHP016 Mark Twain's Boyhood Days.mp3 This episode highlights the influence of the Mississippi River on the development of Samuel Clemens who later adopted the pen-name Mark Twain. Enjoy!

RHP015: Amazing Astoria This episode highlights the amazing exploration, development, and significance of the first settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. Enjoy!

RHP014 The Death of Meriwether Lewis This episode memorializes the death of Meriwether Lewis on October 11, 1809 and discusses some of the factors that might have contributed to his suicide. We also look at some of the theories that he might have been murdered. Lewis' correspondence and the reactions of Thomas Jefferson and William Clark are considered. Enjoy!

RHP013: King of the Riverboat Gamblers   This episode shares samples of our new audiobook “King of the Riverboat Gamblers” and the adventures of George Devol, one of the most infamous gamblers of the 19th century.   Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds.   Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com

RHP012: The Oregon Trail   This episode discusses the reasons why Americans began to journey across the continent to the Willamette and Columbia River valleys. Why go? How did they prepare?   Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds.   Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com

RHP011: The Impact of the Rivers Today   This episode discusses the amazing ways that rivers impact our lives and economy. Hydroelectric, irrigation, navigation, recreation, and much more.   Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds.   Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com

RHP010: The Incredible Characters of River History This episode highlights some of the fascinating historical characters we will discusses in more detail in future episodes. Steamboat pilots, engineers, politicians, and artists such as author Mark Twain.   Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds.   Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com

RHP009: Humankind versus The Rivers   This episode discusses the unending struggle to harness the rivers to benefit navigation and commerce, to generate power, control flooding and erosion, and provide benefits such as drinking, irrigation, and recreation.   Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds.   Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com  

RHP008: The Civil War and the Western Rivers To Control the Rivers was to Control the West. This episode examines why the Mississippi River and its tributaries were so important to both sides during the Civil War.  Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds. Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com

RHP007: Steamboats Changed America This episode explores the development of steam-powered boats and the impact that mechanized travel had on river transportation, commerce, and the westward development of the United States. Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds. Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com

RHP006: Challenges of Early River Travel This episode highlights the challenges of the century of river travel before the development of steamboats. Arduous journeys down the Ohio and Mississippi and then the challenge to return. This period of western development pulled the country westward slowly and set the stage for the invention of the steamboat. Welcome to the RiverHistory.com podcast, sharing fascinating stories from U.S. river history to enlighten, enrich, and entertain curious minds. The rivers of America have long been thoroughfares of migration, transportation, and commerce. Here we explore the fascinating stories, remarkable people, and amazing significance of the rivers of America both then and now. Explore additional learning opportunities at www.riverhistory.com