Cardinal News 250
“Cardinal News 250” tells the little-known stories of Virginia’s role in our country’s march to independence. As we head toward America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, we examine the events, people and places that shaped the Commonwealth and the nation—beyond what’s in the history books. Cardinal News publishes “Cardinal 250” features at least once a month; this podcast is made possible in part by funding from the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA 250).
Cardinal News
https://cardinalnews.org/
Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission
https://va250.org/
Episodes
14 episodes
Ep 14: A Virginia spy
A fake name, perhaps a fake accent, and rum. All figure into an examination of John Wyatt. Host Dutchie Jessee talks about this fascinating character with Michael Hudson, Executive Director of the Smithfield-Preston Foundation in Blacksburg.
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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27:15
E13: Give Me Liberty
It’s considered one of the ten greatest speeches in American history. Patrick Henry’s “give me liberty or give me death” address has been a part of our national story for 250 years. Join host Dutchie Jessee and her guest Stephen Wilson, who hel...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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18:54
E12: Billy Flora
Billy Flora was a Black Revolutionary War hero from Virginia. His heroics in one particular battle were nothing short of extraordinary. Hear his story in this episode of the Cardinal News 250 podcast. Host Dutchie Jessee. Guest: Harvey Bakari, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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33:00
E11: Age and Our Founding Fathers
When you picture our “founding fathers,” do you picture older white men? Most of us do, but it’s more accurate to picture them as young or middle-aged. In this Cardinal News 250 episode, Dutchie Jessee talks with James Madison University profes...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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25:40
Ep 10: Music of the Revolution
Before downloads, before CD’s and records, music was played live only. So what kind of music was played in the years around the Revolutionary War, and who played it? Cardinal News 250 host Dutchie Jessee talks with journalist Randy Walker about...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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23:10
Ep 9: The Legend of Susanna Bolling
Did a 16-year old Virginia girl sneak out of her house in the middle of the night and save a Revolutionary War general from capture? Nobody knows for certain, but a lot of people think so. Cardinal News 250 host Dutchie Jessee talks with ...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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21:21
Ep 8: Forgotten Founder: Andrew Lewis
Whether or not you've heard of Andrew Lewis probably depends on where you live. Cardinal News 250 host Dutchie Jessee talks with Garret Channel, Executive Director of the Salem Museum and Historical Society, who knows so much about this Revolut...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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35:31
Ep 7: William Campbell and the Overmountain Men
If he hadn’t died so young, William Campbell might have well been one of Virginia’s most famous figures. The Virginian played a critical role as a general in the Revolutionary War. Learn about Campbell and the Overmountain Men from retiree turn...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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36:12
Ep 6: The Essex Resolutions
July 1774 wasn’t so unlike July 2024 in Tappahannock, Virginia. It was hot. Politics were tense. And locals gathered to hear “The Essex Resolutions,” considered one of the best written responses to the King’s actions, and laying the groun...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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28:55
Ep 5: Black Loyalists Flee Virginia
Enslaved people in Virginia were promised freedom if they remained loyal to the British crown during the Revolutionary War. Where did they go, and what became of them? Cardinal News 250 host Dutchie Jessee talks with Andrea Davis and Kelley Bru...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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37:30
Ep 4: Forgotten Founders
It’s not that our commonly-referred to “founding fathers” were unimportant. It’s just that many other people helped move the colonies toward independence. Women, Native Americans and enslaved people were critical to the...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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33:28
Ep 3: Virginia's First Female Publisher
Retired journalist and journalism professor Jeff South talks about Clementina Rind, the first woman to publish a newspaper in Virginia.
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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19:59
Ep 2: The Three Gazettes
There were no less than three "Virginia Gazettes" during the Revolutionary period. How did we end up with three, and what was the role of the press during this pivotal time? Cardinal News' Dutchie Jessee speaks with retired VCU journalism pr...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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31:16