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Digging Deep Into Connecticut's Underground History

Courtesy of Jerry Roberts

    

Connecticut's history is well documented throughout Connecticut museums and historic villages, but there's much more  that we have yet to discover, much of it underground. 

Today, we're partnering with Connecticut Explored, Connecticut's history journal, to tell a series of underground stories.                                                                                                                                       

Credit Professor Nick Bellantoni is an associate professor of Archaeology at the University of Connecticut and the Connecticut state archaeologist / Chion Wolf
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Chion Wolf

Nick Ballentoni is wrapping up 27 years as our state archaeologist. During that time he's been drawn into excavations of a 19th century Hebrew farming society, the returns of a Native American who died in Danbury while traveling with a wild west show, and the plans to move the grave of The Leatherman, a famous and mysterious wanderer across the American Northeast.

And, that's just scratching the surface, which also describes what Nick spends a lot of time doing in his very meticulous way.  

He's on our show today to share some of those stories.  You can link here to a 2012 CPBN Media Lab interview with Nick where he talks about some of his favorite digs.

Credit Jerry Roberts is a writer, maritime historian and museum executive. He's the project director for Battlesite Essex and the author of "The British Raid on Essex: The Forgotten Battle of the War of 1812." / Chion Wolf
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Chion Wolf

And, we'll also talk about a battle from 1812, a key encounter that had all but vanished from the history books until recently. 

And, our last stop on the underground will be an amazing and hidden records repository from the Cold War, where today, expensive wine is stored. 

GUESTS:

Colin McEnroe is a radio host, newspaper columnist, magazine writer, author, playwright, lecturer, moderator, college instructor and occasional singer. Colin can be reached at colin@ctpublic.org.
Chion Wolf is the host of Audacious with Chion Wolf on Connecticut Public, spotlighting the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Betsy started as an intern at WNPR in 2011 after earning a Master's Degree in American and Museum Studies from Trinity College. She served as the Senior Producer for 'The Colin McEnroe Show' for several years before stepping down in 2021 and returning to her previous career as a registered nurse. She still produces shows with Colin and the team when her schedule allows.

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

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