Maryland Unfolded is a history podcast from Baltimore Public Media and WYPR. Twice a month, a rotating cast of hosts and guests explores the people, events, and ideas that continue to shape Maryland's story. By challenging familiar narratives and elevating undertold stories, the podcast uncovers new perspectives on the state's history and its lasting impact today.
Latest episodes
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40 min
Witchcraft, Spiritualism, and Maryland’s Supernatural History
From colonial witchcraft accusations to 19th-century séances, Maryland’s history is full of stories about the supernatural. On this episode of Maryland Unfolded, host Mark Gunnery…
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30 min
Willkommen in Maryland: Germans in the Old Line State
German immigrants have shaped Maryland’s history for generations, leaving their mark on everything from the farms of Frederick County to the businesses and cultural institutions of…
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39 min
Oyster Wars: The Fight for the Chesapeake Bay
In the nineteenth century, oysters fueled Maryland’s economy—but competition over the Chesapeake’s oyster beds led to violent clashes known as the Oyster Wars. Host Gabe Ortis spea…
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28 min
The Black Ship Caulkers of Baltimore
For much of the nineteenth century, Black workers, both enslaved and free, dominated the ship caulking trade. The work was dangerous and demanding, but it also gave some Black Balt…
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20 min
The Rise, Fall, and Revival of Maryland Rye Whiskey
Long before Kentucky and Tennessee became synonymous with whiskey, Maryland was one of the country’s premier whiskey-producing states. Maryland played a central role in the develop…
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17 min
Mobtown: The Know-Nothings and Political Violence in Baltimore
Baltimore has many nicknames: the Monumental City, Charm City, the City That Reads. But one of its oldest is Mobtown, a name earned through a long history of political violence, ri…
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39 min
Pride of Baltimore II and Maryland's Maritime Heritage
Host Mark Gunnery climbs aboard the Pride of Baltimore II for a three-night voyage from Norfolk to Baltimore, experiencing firsthand what life is like aboard Maryland's iconic sail…
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47 min
Drag Balls and Hidden Havens: Maryland's LGBTQ+ History
LGBTQ+ people have long been part of Maryland's story, but their histories have often gone untold. In this episode of Maryland Unfolded, host Dr. Kalima Young speaks with public li…
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33 min
Black Patriots and Loyalists in the American Revolution
Two hundred and fifty years after the Declaration of Independence, it's easy to forget just how controversial the American Revolution was. Marylanders served on both sides of the c…
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43 min
Maryland's Revolutionary Past and Lucille Clifton's Legacy
In the premiere episode of Maryland Unfolded, host Marc Steiner explores two distinct chapters of Maryland history. First, he speaks with political scientist Matthew Crenson about…