Podcast Summary: "Proclaim Liberty Throughout the Land"

Podcast: Hillsdale College Podcast Network Superfeed
Episode Date: March 11, 2026
Host: Larry O'Connor (WMAL)
Guests: Dr. Matthew Spalding (VP for Washington Operations & Dean, Van Andel Graduate School of Government, Hillsdale College), Bethany
Theme: Celebrating America’s 250th anniversary—exploring foundational stories, public history debates, and engaging ways to teach and commemorate American independence.

Episode Overview

This episode marks the beginning of a series of conversations exploring America's "semiquincentennial"—the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding. Host Larry O'Connor, co-host Bethany, and Hillsdale's Dr. Matthew Spalding delve into the compelling stories and enduring truths that shaped the country, discuss the challenges of teaching history authentically, and spotlight national programs and creative approaches to public commemoration.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. What to Call America’s 250th Birthday (01:28 – 02:13)

• The group humorously wrestles with the correct term for the 250th anniversary, ultimately agreeing that "semiquincentennial" is a mouthful, so "America 250" is catchier.
  • Quote (Dr. Spalding, 01:59): "It is a semi quincentennial. Yes, that’s it, folks."
  • Quote (Bethany, 02:07): “This is why they call it America 250.”

2. Forgotten Stories: Henry Knox and the Cannons of Ticonderoga (03:00 – 05:40)

• Dr. Spalding recounts the tremendous winter effort by Henry Knox—Washington’s head of artillery—to transport 60 tons of cannons from Fort Ticonderoga to Boston through brutal winter conditions, a pivotal yet often overlooked moment leading up to independence.
  • Quote (Dr. Spalding, 04:09): "Henry Knox and his guys... brought back from Fort Ticonderoga in northern New York down to Boston, about 600 miles or so, 60 tons of cannons, and they did it with mules and sleds.”
  • Insight: History is full of drama and courage that is often forgotten or glossed over, but essential for understanding the real challenges faced by the founders.

3. Teaching History: Experience Over Textbooks (06:07 – 07:17)

• Bethany brings up homeschooling and experiential learning, asking whether to take her children to Valley Forge in winter for authenticity.
  • Quote (Dr. Spalding, 06:35): "I commend you for taking them to the location, to the actual place. We forget how much effect there is on young people when they actually see something."
  • Insight: Dr. Spalding emphasizes the value of visiting historical sites over merely reading about them for a more profound educational impact.

4. The Freedom 250 Trucks: Bringing History to the People (07:17 – 09:40)

• Dr. Spalding describes the Freedom 250 project—a fleet of six mobile museum trucks that bring interactive Revolutionary War history exhibits to communities nationwide, making commemoration accessible for all, especially those far from historic sites.
  • Quote (Dr. Spalding, 07:40): “Imagine a massive semi truck that expands to three times its size... a mobile museum."
  • The project is a collaborative effort involving Hillsdale College, Prager University (content design), and Spevco (specialized vehicles).
  • Quote (Dr. Spalding, 09:33): “There’s a freedom250.org and there’ll be a calendar there and a schedule and you can see where they’re going.”
  • Insight: National engagement requires creativity; the trucks aim to “bring the museum to the people.”

5. The Debate over Public History and “Whitewashing” (10:01 – 13:10)

• Larry O'Connor asks Dr. Spalding to comment on accusations that the Trump-era National Park Service has been "whitewashing" history—especially regarding how the Philadelphia presidential house (where George Washington resided) tells the story of slavery.
  • Quote (Larry O’Connor, 11:10): “It seems... instead, he’s sort of reorienting and swinging the pendulum back. Because ever since the 1619 Project, I can’t go to a historic location without it seeming like the only dominant story... is slavery.”
  • Quote (Dr. Spalding, 12:10): “Slavery is barbaric. That’s not the question here... But what they’ve done is they’ve taken... a very interesting historical society look... and yet [made it] solely, exclusively about slavery. So it was way out of balance.”
  • Quote (Dr. Spalding, 12:36): “You can’t tell history from one extreme and the other extreme. You can’t ignore the warts of history... But you also can’t turn it into this story of America’s systemically racist. You need a balance. I think this is a rebalancing going on.”
  • Insight: Dr. Spalding strongly advocates for a nuanced, “warts and all” historical narrative—neither idealized nor hyper-critical.

6. Hillsdale College’s Ongoing Role (13:10 – 13:54)

• Hillsdale’s D.C. campus and the Van Andel Graduate School of Government (run by Dr. Spalding) are introduced as key partners in discussions and events for America 250, offering programs for professionals interested in government and history.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Challenge of Moving Cannons:
  Dr. Spalding (04:09): “Henry Knox and his guys... brought back from Fort Ticonderoga... 60 tons of cannons, and they did it with mules and sleds.”

• On Historical Experience:
  Dr. Spalding (06:35): “I commend you for taking them to the location, to the actual place. We forget how much effect there is on young people when they actually see something.”

• On Balance in History:
  Dr. Spalding (12:36): “You can’t tell history from one extreme and the other extreme. You can’t ignore the warts of history... But you also can’t turn it into this story of America’s systemically racist. You need a balance.”

• On Public Engagement:
  Dr. Spalding (09:40): “You gotta take them somewhere... especially these kids in classes, your homeschooling group or your co-op, whatever it might be.”

Important Timestamps

• 01:28 – Naming the celebration: "semiquincentennial" vs. "America 250"
• 03:00 – Henry Knox's winter trek with the cannons
• 06:07 – Experiential homeschooling and Valley Forge
• 07:40 – Description of the Freedom 250 mobile museum trucks
• 09:33 – Website for truck schedule: freedom250.org
• 10:01 – Public history debate: "whitewashing" history vs. 1619 Project focus
• 12:36 – Dr. Spalding calls for balanced, nuanced history
• 13:10 – Hillsdale’s D.C. campus and academic programs

Conclusion

This episode offers an engaging window into the importance of remembering— and celebrating—the stories, sacrifices, and ideals that made America’s founding remarkable. Dr. Spalding, with historical anecdotes and a commitment to presenting a thorough and balanced view of history, encourages listeners to seek out real experiences and to participate actively in the country’s ongoing experiment in liberty, especially during its 250th year. The innovative "Freedom 250" truck museums and debates about public history invite the audience not just to remember, but to reflect and engage.

For more about the Freedom 250 trucks: freedom250.org

For Hillsdale’s D.C. programs: dc.hillsdale.edu