From hidden gems to hometown legends, we explore history, folklife, and culture in New Jersey and the Tri-State Area. Whether it’s Revolutionary War tales, boardwalk stories, or local folklore, The History Chick is here to keep the past alive—and a little bit sassy.
Send us a text “Because they treated him like a beast of burden…” Those were the words of Antoine LeBlanc as he awaited the gallows in Morristown, New Jersey. In this episode, The History Chick takes you through one of the strangest murders and executions in NJ history. From LeBlanc’s desperate search for fortune to the brutal killings at the Sayre farm, his capture at the Mosquito Tavern, and even the bizarre experiments on his corpse, this is a tale of opportunity gone horribly w...
20 Jun 2025
The Vanishing of Marie Smith: Asbury Park’s Forgotten Murder
Host Lesley Schierenbeck examines the 1910 disappearance and murder of Marie Smith in Asbury Park, revealing racial tensions and investigative failures in the New Jersey resort town.
9 Jul 2024
The Summer Solstice Murder!
We're back in action! And just in time for Summerween! We're kicking off these sweltering days with a true crime story that is sure to leave you shuckin' for more!
Join Lesley Schierenbeck this week as she delves into the true crime story of the Summer Solstice Murder of 1901 - which happened in Tuckerton, New Jersey. Hear about how one clammer's fate brought an oyster watchman to vengeance!
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28 Apr 2024
Duck Duck ... Decoy!
Join me this week as Heirloom Historical is back in action - with live interviews from the 2024 New Jersey Decoy Collectors Annual Show! Listen and find out more about decoy carving, what makes it a unique American Folk Art, and how to get started in collecting or carving your own bird!
If you want to join the Facebook Group: CLICK HERE (https://www.facebook.com/groups/193547177811295)
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18 Mar 2024
The First Female Surfer on the East Coast!
Join us this week as we 'Hang Ten!' and learn about the "Queen of the Waves" here in Asbury Park!
If you want to know more about Emma, check out this new book! (https://www.amazon.com/Forsaken-Kings-Spreckels-Surfer-Asbury/dp/B0BSJPSDB1)
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11 Mar 2024
The First Female New Jersey Decoy Carver of the Year!
Decoys—it's not just a man's world anymore! Join us this week for our very first guest, Nancee Jo Luciani, who will discuss how she broke into the field of decoy carving and ultimately made her mark!
If you want to support Nancee Jo's Art, please check out her craft page: The Painted Parrot (https://www.facebook.com/PaintedParrotDecoyArt/)
Or, check out other female carvers by buying the book: Tradition From A Woman's Hand here! (https://www.amazon.com/Tradition-Womans-Jersey-Folklife-Center/dp/1468110748)
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4 Mar 2024
Colonial Women of New Jersey!
A shipwreck survivor. A (legal) witch. A patriotic rebel at 74. These are just some of the baddies that you'll learn about here in this episode as we delve into the histories of New Jersey's most tenacious ladies of the colonial period! Join us this month as we celebrate women's history!
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26 Feb 2024
The Black Oystermen Of South Jersey
Nestled along the Maurice River is the now-sleepy community of Shell-Pile, New Jersey - once the world's Oyster Capital!
Come find out about the African Americans that made this community thrive!
If you want, check out the Smithsonian Article (https://www.loc.gov/item/2017723736/)!
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19 Feb 2024
Springwood Avenue Asbury Park!
Join us this week as we stroll down Springwood Avenue in Asbury Park to take listeners back to a time when Ike & Tina, Duke Ellington, Billie Holiday, and other jazz, blues, and R&B greats would serenade audiences in many of the nightclubs that were a part of the culture and Black community.
Want to read more about Asbury? | Check out Daniel Wolff's Book (https://www.amazon.com/4th-July-Asbury-Park-Promised/dp/B000VYSU52)
Want to get involved in the preservation of the Turf Club? | Check out AP-AAMP (https://www.asburyamp.org/)
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12 Feb 2024
New Jersey's All-Black Town: Whitesboro!
Did you know that New Jersey was home to over a dozen all-Black towns? Well, it's true!
Come learn about one of the longest-lasting all-Black towns here in the Garden State, Whitesboro!
The Colored American (https://coloredamerican.org/)
Whitesboro Concerned Citizens (https://www.concernedcitizensofwhitesboro.com/)
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5 Feb 2024
Slavery in New Jersey
Hey, thanks for listening to Heirloom Historical! You can email Me!
heirloomhistorical@gmail.com (mailto:heirloomhistorical@gmail.com)
Learn about the rich history of enslavement here in New Jersey!
Touted as a "Northern State" doesn't mean that enslavement stopped - in fact, we still had over 400 people enslaved after the Civil War was over! Learn more in this episode, and check out the book list below:
Books:
Stories of Slavery in New Jersey (https://www.amazon.com/Stories-Slavery-Jersey-American-Heritage/dp/1467146676/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14AOQGVPQ8BMQ&keywords=slavery+in+new+jersey&qid=1707089648&sprefix=slavery+in+new+jersey%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-1)
The Ragged Road to Abolition: Slavery and Freedom in New Jersey (https://www.amazon.com/Ragged-Road-Abolition-Slavery-1775-1865/dp/0812223586/ref=sr_1_4?crid=14AOQGVPQ8BMQ&keywords=slavery+in+new+jersey&qid=1707089677&sprefix=slavery+in+new+jersey%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-4)
Tinton Falls Iron Works: (https://www.app.com/story/news/local/values/2022/02/07/slavery-jersey-shore-how-some-make-sure-its-not-forgotten/9290416002/)
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29 Jan 2024
Roosevelt in Manhattan
Have you ever wanted to sip some white wine - guzzle a gallon of coffee like our beloved Teddy Roosevelt?
Well join me this week as we venture into the world of NYC and see where Roosevelt would have wined, dined, and danced the night away at three hot spots, in addition to his birthplace!
Bonus! You'll hear about when TR came to OG! That's right! Ocean Grove!
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22 Jan 2024
Church of the Presidents
5? 7? Who cares!?!? There were at least 5 Presidents that came and summered in (even if it was a short stop - McKinley, I'm lookin at you!) Long Branch, New Jersey. Known back then as "the Branch" we'll take a look at the chapel's building, its famous congregants, and the future of the building thanks to historic preservation.
If you want to help out the Church of the Presidents, check out the Long Branch Historical Society's (https://www.facebook.com/ChurchOfThePresidentsMuseum) Facebook page and become a member!
Thanks for listening!
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Email us at: heirloomhistorical@gmail.com
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15 Jan 2024
Peggy Clevenger: The Witchitty Witch of the Pines
Which witch is which? This episode delves into the folklore and legend of the Pine Barren's own Peggy Clevenger. A supposed shape-shifter and mason jar fixer, find out what lore lies behind the abandoned town of Pasadena in the Pine Barrens.
Want to read more? Check these books out ...
John Mc Phee's Pine Barrens (https://www.amazon.com/Pine-Barrens-John-McPhee/dp/0374514429/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2506LZVKKSGW1&keywords=john+mcphee+pine+barrens&qid=1704595956&sprefix=john+mcphee+pine+barrens%2Caps%2C102&sr=8-1)
Henry Charlton Beck's Tales and Towns of Northern New Jersey (https://www.amazon.com/Tales-Towns-Northern-New-Jersey/dp/0813510198/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2L5RDAP4AC7H3&keywords=Henry+Charlton+Beck+forgotten+towns&qid=1704596026&sprefix=henry+charlton+beck+forgotten+towns%2Caps%2C65&sr=8-4)
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4 Jan 2024
Welcome to Heirloom Historical!
Welcome to Heirloom Historical! Each week, we uncover some little unknown historical tidbits about New Jersey History and Americana Folklore!
Join Lesley Schierenbeck, your host, and she uncovers some of the nuances that make Jersey, and America epic!
Have a burning question? Got a yearnin' burn to learn more about something and want to see it featured? Email us! heirloomhistorical@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!
Have a question?
Email us at: heirloomhistorical@gmail.com
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4 Jan 2024
James A. Bradley Founder of Asbury Park, NJ
He's known affectionately to us as the "Brush Daddy." Today we investigate the life of James A. Bradley, the founder of Asbury Park, New Jersey. Join us on this first episode for a look into Bradley's life, his business, and the reasoning behind starting the "City by the Sea."
The three books I mentioned about the history of Asbury Park can be purchased here:
Daniel Wolf's 4th of July, Asbury Park
(https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-July-Asbury-Park-Promised/dp/1978820402/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=4th+of+july+asbury+park&qid=1704373724&sr=8-1)
Helen-Chantal Pike's Asbury Park's Glory Days (https://www.amazon.com/Asbury-Parks-Glory-Days-American/dp/0813540879/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2RZ2WGCNDW0W7&keywords=asbury+park%27s+glory+days&qid=1704373804&sprefix=asbury+park%27s+glory+day%2Caps%2C287&sr=8-1)
Joe Bilby's Asbury Park Reborn (https://www.amazon.com/Asbury-Park-Reborn-Restored-Landmarks/dp/1609496809/ref=pd_bxgy_d_sccl_1/144-8340171-6835712?pd_rd_w=EHKqq&content-id=amzn1.sym.2b132e63-5dcd-4ba1-be9f-9e044543d59f&pf_rd_p=2b132e63-5dcd-4ba1-be9f-9e044543d59f&pf_rd_r=M2H7309Y5CPG72P381F4&pd_rd_wg=phYmx&pd_rd_r=6eff999e-388e-4ece-8040-868e093f18dc&pd_rd_i=1609496809&psc=1)
Thanks for listening!
Have a question?
Email us at: heirloomhistorical@gmail.com
Follow us on:
www.heirloomhistorical.com
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YouTube views
23,597
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.2 / 5
5 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 51 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
48
Social presence
0
YouTube
76
Engagement
60
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