"Under the oaks" of Jackson, Michigan, is a birthplace of the Republican Party. But is it THE birthplace? Ripon, Wisconsin, lays claim to the founding of the political party started by abolitionists. But the Jackson Historical Society has the receipts in favor of our Michigan community. 

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:

Maurice Imhoff, president, Jackson Historical Society

Linda Hass, author and vice president, Jackson Historical Society



Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

"Under the oaks" of Jackson, Michigan, is a birthplace of the Republican Party. But is it THE birthplace? Ripon, Wisconsin, lays claim to the founding of the political party started by abolitionists. But the Jackson Historical Society has the receipts in favor of our Michigan community.&nbsp;
GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
Maurice Imhoff, president, Jackson Historical Society
Linda Hass, author and vice president, Jackson Historical Society 
Want to submit a question to On Hand or a story about Michigan's political history? Do it here:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li aria-level="1">Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li aria-level="1">Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund

On Hand

Is Jackson the birthplace of the Republican Party?

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We recently dug into how the robin become Michigan's state bird, and why it hasn't changed in nearly 100 years. Today, we reveal the result of our state bird poll, and hear from a listener who witnessed the circle of life unfold among the bird gathering at her neighbor's backyard pond. 

GUESTS:


Tracey Walker, West Michigander

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

We <a href="https://open.spotify.com/episode/7rVr4FU4dmemAwW4SQtgmr?si=It4URO_bSUaIQZfPa9d4fQ">recently</a> dug into how the robin become Michigan's state bird, and why it hasn't changed in nearly 100 years. Today, we reveal the result of our <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2026-02-06/why-is-the-robin-michigans-state-bird">state bird poll</a>, and hear from a listener who witnessed the circle of life unfold among the bird gathering at her neighbor's backyard pond.&nbsp;
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Tracey Walker, West Michigander
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

You Stories: A backyard bird buffet

The American Robin is our state bird - but why? You can find Robins everywhere, including most states in the U.S. So should we reconsider our state bird and pick something more unique to Michigan? Like, say, the Kirtland's Warbler? A debate!
Vote in the On Hand state bird poll here!
Check out our other state symbols here
Read about the Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, a nonprofit devoted to protecting the species

GUESTS:

April Campbell, retired M.D. and bird enthusiast based in Ann Arbor
Jen Owen, former director for the Michigan State Bird Observatory and center coordinator for Corey Marsh Ecological Center.
Frances Heldt, archivist for the Archives of Michigan

Cover photo by Lester Graham

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:


Online Submission Form


Call us: 734-764-7840


Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

The American Robin is our state bird - but why? You can find Robins everywhere, including most states in the U.S. So should we reconsider our state bird and pick something more unique to Michigan? Like, say, the Kirtland's Warbler? A debate!
<ul>
<li data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2026-02-06/why-is-the-robin-michigans-state-bird">Vote in the On Hand state bird poll here!</a></li>
<li data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><a href="https://www.michigan.gov/som/about-michigan/state-facts-and-symbols">Check out our other state symbols here</a></li>
<li data-pm-slice="1 1 []"><a href="https://www.kirtlandswarbler.org/">Read about the Kirtland's Warbler Alliance, a nonprofit devoted to protecting the species</a></li>
</ul>
GUESTS: 
<ul>
<li>April Campbell, retired M.D. and bird enthusiast based in Ann Arbor</li>
<li>Jen Owen, former director for the Michigan State Bird Observatory and center coordinator for Corey Marsh Ecological Center.</li>
<li>Frances Heldt, archivist for the Archives of Michigan</li>
</ul>
Cover photo by Lester Graham
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
</li>
<li>
Call us: 734-764-7840
</li>
<li>
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Why is the Robin Michigan's state bird?

In the last episode of On Hand, we dug into why people in Michigan say “ope.” And we found that “ope” likely traces back to European immigrants who settled in the Midwest—long before Midwesternisms were ever a thing.

Since then, we’ve heard from a few of you who say our Michigan way of speaking is about much more than just “ope". Today, we’re diving into the Michigan accent, in all its glory.

GUESTS:


Sue Merritt, a Michigander-turned-Californian-turned-Michigander again


Laurie Van Ark lives in Holland, and her family’s roots in Michigan go back to 1866

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:

Online Submission Form

Call us: 734-764-7840

Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

In the last episode of On Hand, we dug into why people in Michigan say &ldquo;ope.&rdquo; And we found that &ldquo;ope&rdquo; likely traces back to European immigrants who settled in the Midwest&mdash;long before Midwesternisms were ever a thing.
Since then, we&rsquo;ve heard from a few of you who say our Michigan way of speaking is about much more than just &ldquo;ope". Today, we&rsquo;re diving into the Michigan accent, in all its glory.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
Sue Merritt, a Michigander-turned-Californian-turned-Michigander again
</li>
<li>
Laurie Van Ark lives in Holland, and her family&rsquo;s roots in Michigan go back to 1866
</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a>
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work:&nbsp;<a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Is Jackson the birthplace of the Republican Party?

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