Upon This Land: History, Mystery, & Monuments

The George Washington Bicentennial was one of the largest organized celebratory events in American history. As we approach America’s Semiquincentennial in 2026, park rangers Jonathan and David discuss how the commemoration of George Washington's 200th birthday is still evident across America today, including at George Washington Birthplace National Monument.

The Potomac River connects millions across four states and D.C. Known as "the Nation's River", it greatly influenced American history and George Washington's life. Today, the park’s Potomac River Beach is a popular destination at his birthplace, highlighting the importance of protecting the river's health for recreation and wildlife. In this episode, we welcome Michael Nardolilli, Executive Director of the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, to discuss the river we share.

Continuing our conversation with Sara Rivers Cofield, we explore what archeologists look for from clothing, the personal stories it can reveal, and how her team has made historic fashions trendy again. We also hear a compelling story about how her passion for historic clothing opened a window into the past, including a mystery surrounding someone who lived during the 19th century.

Welcome to our second season of Upon This Land: History, Mystery, and Monuments! Intro music courtesy of Wolf Patrol. Outro music courtesy of Brumbaugh Family.

In this special holiday episode of our podcast, we are joined by Ampersand, a band renowned for their interpretation of early American music. Listen as musicians Beth Lawton, Dick Hogle, and Topher Lawton play festive selections from their album "Love Will Find Out the Way: Songs from Early America," featuring a variety of colonial-era and traditional tunes from before 1830. Their performance was recorded at George's birthplace during our 2024 Holiday Weekend in the Northern Neck. Intro music by Wolf Patrol

In the early 21st century, advancements in historic archeology led park staff and archeologists to review the efficacy of past excavations of Building X, which in turn led to a recommendation to reopen the foundations. In partnership with New South Associates, Inc., Building X was once again opened in 2022 with the hopes of shedding more light on 86 years of uncertainty. We share findings from this recent study of Building X, bringing us one step closer to unraveling one of the biggest mysteries of the park

George Washington was born here in 1732 but the Washington story in the Northern Neck began long before then in the 1640s, when the Pope family moved across the Potomac and settled in Virginia. In our last episode, we explored the story of Nathaniel Pope and the other early settlers of today's Westmoreland County including the Native people. Today, we will explore the arrival of John Washington in the 1650s, the first Washington to immigrate to Virginia and who had become the Great Grandfather of George.

Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end, but sometimes those three pieces are not enough. On this episode of our podcast, we set the stage for how the Washington story began here. Who was living here before the arrival of John Washington in 1657? What were their lives like? Even at national parks that are based around historic events like ours, we find that the prologue can reveal important parts of our national heritage. Intro music courtesy of Wolf Patrol.

On July 4th, 2026, the National Park Service will join the nation in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. We have already started planning for this national event and today we are going to get a behind the scenes look at what is to come. Joining us today is our very special guest, Cheryl Wilson. Cheryl Wilson serves as the executive director for the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. Intro music courtesy of Wolf Patrol. Outro music courtesy of Brumbaugh Family.

In June of 1864, 475 men of the 36th United States Colored Troops embarked across the Potomac into Westmoreland County and the Northern Neck of Virginia during the Civil War. Their expedition began here at Pope's Creek, near the site of George Washington's birthplace. This month marks the 160th anniversary of the raid. Guest interpreter Steward Henderson joins us from Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP to tell the story. Intro music courtesy of Wolf Patrol. Outro music courtesy of Brumbaugh Family