VA250 and WTJU 91.1 FM present Founding Footprints, a podcast tracing the legacy of the Revolutionary era in Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia. Listen as Dr. Benjamin Bernard explores the history and culture of the region, reflecting on the 250 years since the American Revolution.
You can find travel itineraries for your own historic adventure at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/
And you can find more information about Virginia's celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution at https://va250.org/
Virginia is for History Lovers - https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/
S1E10 - Jefferson's Declaration of Independence and Civics Today: Monticello
Monticello, the estate of Thomas Jefferson, is a World Heritage Site, but it is also a significant site of local history in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. We spoke with historian Jane Kamensky, President and CEO of Monticello, about how to understand the site, how the museum encourages civic engagement, and the significance of the 1776–2026 anniversary.
Learn more about visiting Monticello at monticello.org (http://monticello.org/). And learn more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at visitchatlottesville.org (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and Ben Larsen and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
20 Nov 2025
S1E9 - Food Traditions of Virginia: Leni Sorenson
Episode Notes
Food is one of the most accessible (and delightful) ways we gain insight into a culture. In this episode, we speak with Leni Sorenson, a culinary historian and farmer, whose emphasis on Black cooks and rural life ways helps frame our conceptions of food in Virginia.
You can keep up with Leni Sorenson on her website: https://www.indigohouse.us/ (https://www.indigohouse.us/)
And learn more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
31 Oct 2025
S1E8 - Sapling to Sipping: Albemarle Ciderworks
Episode Notes
Apple cultivation has a deep history that intertwines with the European settlement of North America. In this episode of Founding Footprints, we learn about apple trees and hard cider from Charlotte Shelton, one of the owners of Albemarle Ciderworks.
You can find more information about Albemarle Ciderworks on their website: https://www.albemarleciderworks.com/ (https://www.albemarleciderworks.com/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
2 Oct 2025
S1E7 - Grafting Europe and America: Barboursville Vineyards
Episode Notes
Today, Virginia Wine is gaining international recognition. While Thomas Jefferson dreamed of making. rather than importing, his own wine, it would take centuries for that cultivation to become reliably successful. In this episode of Founding Footprints, we speak with Luca Paschina, the General Manager and Winemaker at Barboursville Vineyards.
You can find more information about Barboursville Vineyards on their website: https://www.bbvwine.com/ (https://www.bbvwine.com/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
18 Sept 2025
S1E6 - Not Your Average Buffet: Michie Tavern
Episode Notes
Tucked just a half mile from Monticello is a Southern dining experience unlike any other. In this episode of Founding Footprints, we speak with Greg MacDonald, the Executive Director of the historic Michie Tavern.
You can find more information about Michie Tavern on their website: https://www.michietavern.com/ (https://www.michietavern.com/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
28 Aug 2025
S1E5 - A Centennial to Celebrate: The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center
Episode Notes
While the nation turns 250 years old, the Jefferson School will celebrate 100 years since its founding. In this episode, we speak with Executive Director Dr. Andrea Douglas about the history of Black education in Charlottesville.
You can find more information about the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center on their website: https://jeffschoolheritagecenter.org/ (https://jeffschoolheritagecenter.org/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
14 Aug 2025
S1E4 - Southern Hospitality: Hollymead House
Episode Notes
Looking for a unique retreat with federal style? In this episode of Founding Footprints, we speak with Pam and William Calary, the owners and innkeepers of the historic Hollymead House.
You can find more information about Hollymead House on their website: https://www.hollymeadhouse.com/ (https://www.hollymeadhouse.com/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
24 Jul 2025
S1E3 - Your Local Archive: The Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society
Episode Notes
There's no doubt Albemarle and Charlottesville have rich histories - but where can you find the information you need? In this episode of Founding Footprints, we speak with Olivia Brown, Executive Director of the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society about how they can help.
You can find more information about the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society on their website: https://albemarlehistory.org/ (https://albemarlehistory.org/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/) The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
2 Jul 2025
S1E2 - A Developing History: James Monroe's Highland
Episode Notes
Four of the first five presidents of the United States were from Virginia, and two of them - Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe - spent significant time in Albemarle County. In this episode of Founding Footprints, we speak with Sara Bon-Harper, the Executive Director of James Monroe's Highland, to discuss current interpretations of Monroe’s career and experiences on the land.
You can find more information about James Monroe and Highland at https://highland.org/ (https://highland.org/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of
VA250 (https://va250.org/) - America: Made in Virginia
And the Virginia Audio Collective at WTJU 91.1 FM
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia Is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
11 Jun 2025
S1E1 - From Tobacco Fields to Richmond Markets: James River Batteau Company
Episode Notes
Tobacco and other agricultural goods were essential to the development of the Piedmont region's economy and way of life. Getting those products to market, however, was no small feat.
In this episode of Founding Footprints, we speak with Will Smith and Will Cash of the James River Batteau Company about the unique, flat-bottomed boats that revolutionized trade on the James River in the late 1700's, the enslaved and free men who powered them, and the active life of their batteau replicas today.
You can find more information about the James River Batteau Company on their website: https://www.jamesrivertour.com/ (https://www.jamesrivertour.com/)
And even more about the region's historic offerings through the travel itineraries at https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/ (https://www.visitcharlottesville.org/things-to-do/history-museums/founding-footprints/)
Founding Footprints is a production of
VA250 - America: Made in Virginia (https://va250.org/)
The Virginia Audio Collective (https://www.virginiaaudio.com/) at WTJU 91.1 FM (https://www.wtju.net/)
Hosted by Dr. Benjamin Bernard with sound design by Sage Tanguay and music provided by Blue Dot Sessions.
Virginia is for History Lovers (https://www.virginia.org/things-to-do/history-and-heritage/)
Reach and audience
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YouTube views
654,406
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 40 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
46
Social presence
0
YouTube
86
Engagement
0
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