Kick-Off: Doing History Moses Yale Beach In Conversation

Doing History Moses Yale Beach In Conversation is to be an exploration of journalism history and American ideals, featuring Moses Yale Beach and CT Contemporaries:

1. Roger Sherman Baldwin (1832) – Amistad Case Attorney

• Historical questions: What did “human rights” mean to different classes of white Northerners? How did newspaper coverage shape public opinion on Amistad? On Slavery? On the role of newspapers?

2. P.T. Barnum (1842) – The Showman

• Historical questions: How did these entrepreneurs understand their role in shaping public taste? What’s the line between innovation and manipulation?

3. Edgar Allan Poe (1844) – Year of “The Balloon Hoax”

• Historical questions: Was hoax journalism considered ethical entrepreneurship? How did literary figures navigate commercial publishing?

4. Daniel Webster (1849) – The Statesman

• Historical questions: How did media figures participate in expansion politics? What compromises did “principled” men make?

5. Willis A Hodges (1846) – anti-slavery activist, newspaper editor, black member Convention 1867-68

• Historical questions: Does the Sun shine for all?

• Premiere: July 4, 2025 – Independence Day broadcast