Revere House Radio: Recent Episodes
The Paul Revere House
Revere House Radio brings you all things Revere House, from the true story of Paul Revere's midnight ride to lesser known Revere family history, author interviews, and more! A new season is coming later in 2024.
In 1954, during a legal battle over her right to perform in Boston, actress and singer Christine Jorgensen visited the Paul Revere House. This episode’s guest, Mehitabel Glenhaber, wrote a Revere House Gazette article about these events. Interpreter Cal shares how her training as a historical archaeologist informs how she answers her favorite visitor questions.
- Photo: Christine Jorgenson walking into Paul Revere's home
- Photo: Christine Jorgenson outside Boston Information center
- Photo: Christine Jorgenson inside Paul Revere's house, kneeling beside a rocking cradle
- Book: Christine Jorgensen, a Personal Autobiography by Christine Jorgensen
- Information on Paul Revere House membership and Gazette subscription
- Information on archeological work done at the Paul Revere House, 1980s-2010s
- Book: Purchasing Identity in the Atlantic World: Massachusetts Merchants, 1670-1780 by Phyllis Whitman Hunter
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/
On select Saturdays, visitors get to interact with Paul Revere himself, as portrayed by Mike LePage. In this episode, Mike shares his experiences in the world of historical reenacting. Interpreter Adam is the guest on Our Favorite Questions.
- Upcoming Paul Revere House events, including visits with Paul Revere
- Book: Paul Revere's Ride by David Hackett Fischer
- Book: A True Republican: The Life of Paul Revere by Jayne E. Triber
- Book: Johnny Tremain: a story of Boston in Revolt by Esther Forbes
- Winslow House Museum
- Adams National Historic Park
- Book: Midnight Ride, Industrial Dawn: Paul Revere and the Growth of American Enterprise by Robert Martello
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/
On September 16, 1774, Paul Revere delivered the Suffolk Resolves to the delegates at the First Continental Congress, held at Carpenters’ Hall in Philadelphia. This episode’s guest is Michael Norris, Executive Director of Carpenters’ Hall, which is now a historic site. We’ll also hear a second excerpt from the Suffolk Resolves and hear from interpreter Cadee in Our Favorite Questions.
- Carpenters’ Hall
- The Suffolk Resolves full text, from the Massachusetts Historical Society
- John Adams’s “Sinful Feast” journal entry (about ⅓ down the page, Septr. 8.)
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/
On September 11, 1774, Paul Revere set out from Milton, MA to Philadelphia with a document that left the royal government “thunderstruck,” the Suffolk Resolves. In this episode, Diann Ralph will describe the impact this now-obscure document had on the Revolution. We’ll also hear an excerpt from the opening of the document, and Tegan will introduce Derek, who will be hosting the segment Our Favorite Questions.
- Milton Historical Society (Suffolk Resolves House)
- The Suffolk Resolves full text, from the Massachusetts Historical Society
- Book: 1774: The Long Year of Revolution by Mary Beth Norton
- Book: King and Congress: The Transfer of Political Legitimacy, 1774-1776 by Jerrilyn Greene Marston
- Pamphlet: The Story of the Suffolk Resolves
- Book: Life and Times of Joseph Warren by Richard Frothingham
- Information on Paul Revere House membership and Gazette subscription
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/
Revere House Radio is back! In this episode, podcast founder Adrienne introduces the new host, Tegan, and we talk about the podcast and Adrienne’s favorite questions from visitors.
- Book: A Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/
What was the weather like in the Colonial period? This episode outlines a handful of extreme weather events Revere experienced, as well as what the weather was like on the day of recording!
Read Jeremiah Newland's poem about the Cape Ann Earthquake here
This week, we explore what Paul Revere was doing during and just after the Siege of Boston, which took place between April 1775 and March 1776.
Where was Paul Revere Jr. during the Siege of Boston?
Boston1775's various blog posts about the Siege of Boston
Massachusetts Historical Society online resources about the Siege of Boston
This week, we're talking privies, drains, and sewers! We're discussing various digs done our site in recent years, and what archeology can teach us about the past, and help us preserve it for the future.
Massachusett website
Interactive map to learn more about the first nations in your area
Nina Rodwin's blog post about Paul Revere and the board of health
Joe Bagley showcasing some finds from the dig done at the Pierce-Hichborn House
Website for the Boston Archeology Department
This week, we're taking listener and visitor questions all about Paul Revere's Midnight Ride in 1775. We talk horse names, mystery trunks, and family drama in this episode. Did we miss something you're curious about? Shoot us an email at preverehouse@gmail.com and maybe we'll answer it on a future episode!
Some links to things mentioned in the show:
What was Paul Revere Jr. the oldest boy in the family, doing during the Siege of Boston? Listen to this episode from October 2020 to find out more.
What did Boston look like in 1775? Check it out!
How do we know what Paul and Rachel looked like, and how has the Midnight Ride been depicted over the years? Tune in to find out!
Copley's Paul Revere: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/32401
Dunkerley's Rachel Revere: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/32537
Saint-Mémin's Paul Revere: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/252379
Stuart's Paul Revere: https://collections.mfa.org/objects/32402
Stuart's Rachel Revere: https://www.masshist.org/database/3448?ft=Revolutionary-Era%20Art%20and%20Artifacts&from=/features/revolutionary-era/people&noalt=1&pid=38
Wyeth's Paul Revere: http://collections.brandywine.org/objects/11327/paul-revere;jsessionid=122A13BFC2579556F33FE085400F72FA?ctx=13dd7013-5742-445b-9419-cd3300d28041&idx=7
Wood's Paul Revere: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/488577
An Example of Ripley's Set: https://www.paulreverehouse.org/reveres-own-words/
The Dallin Museum: https://dallin.org/about/
In this episode we explore what pregnancy and birth may have looked like for Paul's two wives, Sarah Orne and Rachel Walker. While we don't sources directly from them describing their experiences, Laurel Thatcher Ulrich's book A Midwife's Tale is an immensely helpful resource, along with other articles.
For more information about the sixteen children, see our Revere Express post written by Rachel Mead
Paul Revere's Illuminations on March 5, 1771 did not occur in a vacuum. What was going on in Boston and with the Revere family at the time, and what impact might they have had on the Sons of Liberty? Listen in to this episode, which comes as part of our 250th anniversary remembrances of Revere's actions, to find out!
This episode contains content that might be disturbing to some listenersOn February 22, 1770, an 11 year old boy was shot and killed in the North End of Boston. What was the source of this violence, and what were its consequences? And, one year later, how did Paul Revere deploy imagery of this boy to further a political cause? Listen to find out more.
This episode relied heavily on two sources, the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society, and J.L. Bell's blog, Boston1775This episode is part of a larger effort to elucidate the context and ramifications of Paul Revere's illuminated display at his house in 1771. Check out our website and social media for more content!
In the spring of 2019, the Paul Revere House received a unique collections item - a Revere family bible. In this bible Paul wrote his birthday, confirming a date that we had suspected but not confirmed for decades.
Resource explaining Julian vs Gregorian calendars:https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/hg/colonialresearch/calendar
Learn more about Membership, and read recent Gazettes:
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/membership/
- Clarification in the episode: Joseph Warren Revere was Paul Revere's 4th son born, the third to survive to adulthood, but the second son who fathered children.
The Revere family may have observed a few holidays around this time of year in December, but perhaps not in the way you might think. Listen in to discover what they may have been gathering for, and how their celebrations differed from many of ours today!
It is taken for granted today that we should preserve and protect the Paul Revere House, but it hasn't always been this way! What motivated the restoration and preservation of the house? What was the neighborhood like when the museum opened in 1908? This episode explores a little bit of the context surrounding the house, its restoration, and the intent behind early preservationists.
Early images of the house post-restoration, showing the DAR plaque
Member of the Paul Revere Pottery at work
A piece of Sara Galner's work at the Met
Revere Express post about Pauline Revere Thayer
What about that brick building you see looming over the Revere House courtyard? That's the Pierce/Hichborn House, built in 1711. Listen to learn more about is architectural and peopled history, starting with window making, bookies, and Paul Revere's cousins.
The construction of this building took place over many decades and multiple centuries, so can be hard to visualize. I strongly recommend checking out the drawings of the building located on our website here
The Boston Archeology Lab website is full of fascinating articles and videos of archeology done in Boston. See more about the dig at Pierce-Hichborn House here
Thanks for listening!
While our primary interpretive focus at the PRMA is on the Revere family and the Revere House, we have two other great historic structures that we maintain and use. Listen in to learn about the history of Lathrop Place, the 1835 building that now serves as our Education and Visitor Center- it has a rich legacy of use for boarders, families, and for the North End at large!
Lathrop Place: https://www.paulreverehouse.org/lathrop-place/
The Nazzaro Center: https://nazzarocenter.org/
Did you know the last name 'Revere' was an altered name that Paul Revere's father created after immigrating to America? Learn more about his experience as an immigrant in 18th century Boston, and how Paul Revere himself kept in contact with his Rivoire relations throughout his life in this new episode!
Paul Revere's 15 year old son was asked to stay behind in Boston while his family evacuated to Watertown from 1775-March of 1776, while the town was under a siege. We don't know a lot about Paul's life during this time, but there are a few tantalizing documents that make us wonder what the teenager's life was like. This episode describes what Paul Jr. could have experienced while living in a town under siege.
Learn more about the siege of Boston here:
https://www.masshist.org/online/siege/index.php
Read more about the other Revere children here:
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/wait-did-you-say-16-kids/
Sign up for our once-per-month mailing list:
https://www.paulreverehouse.org/stay-in-touch/
While Paul Revere's name is known nationally today, Dr. Joseph Warren's name is generally left out of historical narratives of the American Revolution. What was the connection between these two central figures to the early stages of revolution in Boston, and how did they come to know each other? Listen in to find out!
What are the intersections between Judith Sargent Murray's writings, Deborah Sampson's Revolutionary service, and Paul Revere? Listen in to find out!
Show Notes:
More about Judith Sargent Murrayhttps://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/judith-sargent-murray Sargent House Museumhttps://www.sargenthouse.org/ Reference information about the Massachusetts Magazinehttps://bpl.bibliocommons.com/item/show/2650291075 Visual and searchable scan of Massachusetts Magazinehttps://archive.org/details/massachusettsmag06harr/page/420/mode/2up Letter from Paul Revere to William Eustis regarding Deborah Sampson Gannett's pensionhttp://masshist.org/database/viewer.php?item_id=326 View our online lecture on September 15th herehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQVtlrUNNR0
What was Paul Revere's education, and how did he become a silversmith? Listen in to learn about his journey through his apprenticeship, and how he carried on the tradition of this educational model!
Things did not go smoothly for Paul Revere in the American Revolution after his famous Midnight Ride. In fact, his time during the war ended with a court-martial, but the reason for it might not be what you think. Listen in to this episode to learn about Paul Revere's involvement in the 1779 Penobscot Expedition!
In our final Revisit the Ride week episode we explore how significant Paul Revere's actions actually were. We know that there were other riders with various missions on April 18-19, 1775, so just how important was Revere's role? Listen in to find out!
In today's episode in our Revisit the Ride week, we explore the question of other riders on the night of April 18/19 1775. Was Paul Revere a lone rider, or were there others with the same mission that night? Listen in to find out!
To continue our Revisit the Ride week, today we explore the question of what actually happened on the Midnight Ride. Paul Revere's actions on April 18-19, 1775, have become a mix of fact and lore, so listen in to sift through legend and reality!
In continuing our week of returning to the Midnight Ride, today we explore what Paul Revere actually say on April 18-19, 1775. He is most connected to the phrase 'The British are coming!', but does it have historical legs? Listen and find out!
In looking ahead to Phase 3 in Boston's reopening, we are returning this week to our most frequently asked questions on Paul Revere's famous Midnight Ride! Today, we explore if Revere made other rides, and if so, what was the purpose of them?
Paul Revere was a life-long resident of Boston's North End, and some of his most prominent haunts are still scattered around the neighborhood today. Learn about Revere's hotspots and the changes that occurred in the neighborhood during his life and after!
Rachel Revere ran the Revere household for four decades, displaying a wide range of skills and talents in the process. Learn about the work that Rachel, and women like her in Boston, needed to undertake to run ever-expansive homes in the colonial era!
This episode details Paul Revere's connections to the Boston Massacre, both in the moment and its aftermath. The Massacre proved to be a turning point for the American Revolution, and it was also a major event for Paul Revere's career.
This episode provides an introductory history for the Paul Revere House itself! The house is the oldest one in downtown Boston today, and has provided a home for all sorts of people since 1680. Learn about its early years, the different businesses that came out of the house in the 19th century, and when and how the house became a museum.
Paul Revere was much more than a midnight rider or a silversmith- learn about his various career and occupations, ranging from the mundane to the bizarre, in this episode!
Paul Revere's long life allowed him to witness great changes in global politics. As he transitioned from a British subject to an American citizen, he participated in politics at both local and national levels to varying degrees of success. This episode reveals his party affiliations and his major contributions to Boston and the early United States.
Did you now that Paul Revere worked as a dentist in colonial Boston? Learn about the often grisly process of dentistry in his time and how he managed to pull off such an unusual job from Adrienne Turnbull-Reilly!
Paul Revere's last business venture was also his most successful, both for his personal gain and in his national contributions. Revere took on an ambitious project of opening the United States' first copper rolling mill in 1800, and his work proved to be of lasting significance to his legacy and his nation.
While Paul Revere is most known for his famous midnight ride, he also made numerous contributions to the United States in other formats. Revere's silver is highly regarded throughout the country, and this episode explores his origins as a silversmith, what he made, who he sold to, and how his work fit into the American Revolution.
In this episode of Revere House Radio, we explore the question of how involved Paul Revere was with the 1773 Boston Tea Party, and if he was there on the night of December 16.