Social Science

The first African Americans of Peekskill had no choice in making the Hudson Valley their home. What they did choose was what kind of home to make of it--choices that were to shape both their community and the course of American history. Meet the African American sharpshooter who helped swing the balance of the American Revolution, revisit a stop on the underground railroad and catch a glimpse of Paul Robeson through the tumult of the 1949 concert riots. Then follow John J. Curran beyond the headlines and behind the scenes as he seeks out the people whose quiet, consistent contributions were no less dynamic in bringing about social change.

Beginning in the 1870s, thousands of Bohemians flocked to Cedar Rapids in search of a better life. Czech immigrants courageously overcame the difficult conditions of the local packinghouse and the challenge of creating a new home. They maintained a strong cultural identity with Czech music, literature and an undying dedication to family. In the wake of a devastating flood in 2008, the people of Czech Village and New Bohemia re-imagined traditional principles to forge a remarkable resurgence toward a promising future. Author Dave Rasdal travels from the Charles Bridge to the Bridge of Lions in a celebration of Czech heritage and history in Cedar Rapids.

Dublin used to be just a small village on a major route to San Francisco. For much of its history, Dublin attributed its recognition to treacherous roads notorious for grisly stagecoach accidents and, later, near-fatal car crashes. Change came during World War II, when the community hosted one of the country's largest U.S. Navy installations. Rapid suburban development followed in the 1960s, attracting people looking to live in the thriving Bay Area. It also served as home to a U.S. Air Force base, a Cold War testing ground, a U.S. Army base and one of the greatest St. Patrick's Day celebrations on the West Coast. Author Steven Minniear shares the story of one of California's fastest-growing cities.

Named one of America's 11 Most Endangered Places in 2014 and designated a National Treasure in 2015 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Wintersburg Village's unique history is representative of the Japanese pioneer experience on the West Coast. Japan's post-Meiji period ended the feudal system, creating in the late 1800s social changes that prompted Japanese immigration to America. Many who settled in the Wintersburg countryside were of samurai ancestry, bringing an enterprising spirit to Orange County's businesses and farms. The village's history encompasses early aviation, archaeological discoveries, one of California's oldest Japanese missions, goldfish farming and overcoming discrimination to achieve civil liberties. Forcibly removed and incarcerated during World War II, Japanese immigrants left an indelible mark on Southern California. Absorbed by the City of Huntington Beach, Wintersburg Village remains mostly a memory. Join historian Mary F. Adams Urashima as she shares a vanishing chapter of Orange County.