Wilmington Historical Society just launched a podcast

For two years, the Wilmington History Society (WHS) has hosted monthly gatherings downstairs at Chelsea Tavern on Market Street featuring guests who shared knowledge of the city’s (often forgotten) historical events. Among them have been stories about Howard High School teachers fighting KKK propaganda in 1916, the city-altering I-95 project in the 1960s and a look at presidential visits over the years.

The gatherings allowed history buffs and Wilmington lovers to meet, network and have a couple of beers.

“I’m truly convinced that Wilmingtonians really are hungry for some of that old-school community,” said Wilmington historian Nathan Field, who cofounded the WHS with Benjamin Rapkin, shortly after launching the first event in 2018. He wasn’t wrong — the small events drew people.

Of course, like all other public gatherings, the WHS events had to be canceled after Delaware’s COVID-19 State of Emergency went into effect in March. To help fill that void, the org has launched a new podcast focusing on Wilmington-area history.

The first episode of the podcast, which is now live, is described by Field as “a deep dive into Colonial Wilmington with incredible local historian Bill Knightly.”

In the hour-long episode, titled “Life in Colonial Wilmington,” you’ll learn about Wilmington’s first taverns, including The Foul Anchor on the riverfront; Ships Tavern on Market Street, now known for its renovated residential apartments; and The Indian Queen, the tavern that concert venue The Queen descended from. Some of the other topics include which buildings from the colonial era still stand and who were Wilmington’s big employers in the 18th century.

The WHS podcast is hosted on PodBean.