Episode 285 - Ordinary Extraordinary America: A 4th of July Special
250 years ago, America was an idea. Today, it’s millions of stories! This week, we go back to a few of them we've covered on the Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery podcast, beginning with Kurt Deion, who spent his childhood visiting presidential graves and now cares for the stories of thousands of Americans at Congressional Cemetery in Washington, DC. We travel through the Wild West with "Bulldogging" Bill Pickett, one of our country's most famous black cowboys. Of course, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania plays a pivotal role in the American story, and so we revisit our conversation with Nancy Goldenberg and Sarah Hamill, Stewards of Laurel Hill Cemetery. You'll also hear some of Major Pauline Cushman's story, told by MJ Henion, as a spy for the Union during the American Civil War, and we cover the death of a Revolutionary War soldier buried at Whitehall Burial Ground in Mystic, Connecticut, whose death was brought about by the traitorous Benedict Arnold!
We wish you all a very safe and happy 4th of July! Happy birthday, America!
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Family Tales: A free printable is now available! Gather 'round the table and dig into your roots! This interactive family history game is perfect for holidays, reunions, or just because. Ask, listen, and laugh your way through generations of stories and secrets. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UT_R56qEwNTIxIBrTy8KFyVmGnFOe7g8/view?usp=sharing
Links to the full episodes mentioned in this episode:
Episode 191 - An Independence Day Chat with Presidential Grave Hunter Kurt Deion https://www.theordinaryextraordinarycemetery.com/episode-191-an-independence-day-chat-with-presidential-grave-hunter-kurt-deion/
Episode 162 - Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: A Conversation with Laurel Hill’s Stewards https://www.theordinaryextraordinarycemetery.com/episode-162-laurel-hill-cemetery-in-philadelphia-pennsylvania-a-conversation-with-laurel-hills/
Episode 49 - Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Concord, Massachusetts https://www.theordinaryextraordinarycemetery.com/episode-49-sleepy-hollow-cemetery-in/
Episode 72 - “Bulldogging” Bill Pickett: Cowboy, Wild West Show Performer and Movie Star https://www.theordinaryextraordinarycemetery.com/episode-72-bulldogging-bill-pickett-cowboy-wild-west-show-performer-movie-star/
Episode 204 - From Stage to Spy: The Story of Major Pauline Cushman https://www.theordinaryextraordinarycemetery.com/episode-204-from-stage-to-spy-the-story-of-major-pauline-cushman/
Episode 119 - Whtehall Cemetery (Burial Ground) in Mystic, Connecticut https://www.theordinaryextraordinarycemetery.com/episode-119-whitehall-cemetery-burial-ground-in-mystic-connecticut/
President/CEO of Laurel Hill Cemetery
Nancy Goldenberg is the President & CEO of Laurel Hill Cemetery and West Laurel Hill Cemetery & West Laurel Hill Funeral Home, responsible for ensuring that the historic properties remain premier cultural and educational destinations and national leaders in the evolving death care industry.
Prior to joining Laurel Hill Cemeteries, Nancy served for 20 years in multiple executive positions at Philadelphia’s Center City District, including that of Vice President of Planning and Capital Projects where she managed many high-profile public space improvement projects. She also served as Chief of Staff for the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Program Manager for Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park Commission, and Assistant Township Manager for Lower Merion Township, PA.
A native of Cincinnati, Nancy has a B.A. from George Washington University and Master’s Degree in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a board member of the Pennsylvania Cemeteries Cremation and Funeral Association, the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia, and serves on the Cemeteries Committee of World Urban Parks, an international organization working to improve urban open spaces world-wide. Nancy is an emeritus board member of the Fairmount Park Conservancy and previously chaired the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Commission, the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, and co-chaired the City Parks Alliance. Nancy is most proud of being a founder of the Philadelphia Outward Bound School and an Honorary Member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, a lif… Read More
Tour Guide at Laurel Hill Cemetery
Sarah Hamill, a long-time Friends of Laurel Hill member, is an experienced tour guide, event volunteer and researcher for sister cemeteries Laurel Hill East and Laurel Hill West. After retiring from a long career in marketing, she switched her to focus to her life-long fascination with cemeteries, planning cemetery visits on every trip she and her husband take, both here and abroad.
Historian/Author
Kurt Deion is a public historian, author, guest speaker, and presidential expert for RoadsideAmerica.com. He holds an M.A. in history. At age 14 he launched kurtshistoricsites.com as a means to both document his travels and to encourage others to visit gravesites and engage in hands-on history. His website and his cemetery pilgrimages were the subject of a 2015 interview on the C-SPAN show Q&A.
He currently works as an education specialist at Historic Congressional Cemetery and since 2023 has been a White House Historical Association next-gen leader.
Living Historian
Major Pauline Cushman is portrayed by MJ Henion. A student of history all her life, her interest in the Civil War began as a child after receiving the book Lee and Grant at Appomattox by MacKinlay Kantor as a gift.
She is a member of the Capital District Civil War Roundtable, Gettysburg Foundation and American Battlefield Trust.
MJ holds a degree in sports medicine health/wellness and resides in Delmar, NY with her two dogs. She works in primary care while enjoying Civil War history, photography and watching her sports teams US Army Black Knights, Syracuse University, NY Giants and the NY Yankees.