On this episode of Our American Stories, what began as one boy's love of action figures grew into a career designing toys for some of the world's biggest brands, and eventually into the world's first museum dedicated entirely to action figures. Today, more than 13,000 figures fill the shelves, from superheroes and movie icons to historic military displays, each one telling a story of imagination and craftsmanship.

Museum founder Kevin Stark shares how a lifetime of collecting became a place where visitors don't just rediscover old toys, but reconnect with the memories and wonder of childhood.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, what began as one boy's love of action figures grew into a career designing toys for some of the world's biggest brands, and eventually into the world's first museum dedicated entirely to action figures. Today, more than 13,000 figures fill the shelves, from superheroes and movie icons to historic military displays, each one telling a story of imagination and craftsmanship. Museum founder Kevin Stark shares how a lifetime of collecting became a place where visitors don't just rediscover old toys, but reconnect with the memories and wonder of childhood.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

The Man Who Built the World’s First Action Figure Museum

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8536d4bd-a6f0-4a5a-be40-b47c016f9a48/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, in the weeks after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, authorities hunted not only John Wilkes Booth but also anyone suspected of aiding him. Among the accused was Mary Surratt, a widowed boardinghouse owner in Washington. Investigators claimed her home was the meeting place where the plot to kill the president took shape. The evidence was thin, the public mood was unforgiving, and her trial became a national spectacle.

By July 1865, Mary Surratt stood on the gallows, becoming the first woman ever executed by the U.S. government. Kate Clifford Larson, author of The Assassin's Accomplice, shares the story. We'd like to thank the U.S. National Archives for allowing us access to this audio.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, in the weeks after Abraham Lincoln's assassination, authorities hunted not only John Wilkes Booth but also anyone suspected of aiding him. Among the accused was Mary Surratt, a widowed boardinghouse owner in Washington. Investigators claimed her home was the meeting place where the plot to kill the president took shape. The evidence was thin, the public mood was unforgiving, and her trial became a national spectacle. By July 1865, Mary Surratt stood on the gallows, becoming the first woman ever executed by the U.S. government. Kate Clifford Larson, author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F0465038158%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C3ddd95b52e594407475308ded918f3e9%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639186899721836704%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=5iZsYIjRF7%2BswpVwx6IJU2tnfkXjtSHLf9fcg96wNUQ%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" data-ogsc="">The Assassin's Accomplice</a>, shares the story. We'd like to thank the U.S. National Archives for allowing us access to this audio.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Mary Surratt: The Woman at the Center of the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0a1fc813-e3d7-47de-8aa3-b47c016fa26a/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, born to a teenage mother in one of Jacksonville's toughest neighborhoods, Denisha Allen spent much of her childhood moving between homes, failing in school, and believing she had no future. By the fifth grade, she had repeated third grade twice and was on the path toward becoming another dropout.

Then a remarkable godmother, a scholarship to a small Christian school, and a handful of teachers who refused to give up on her changed everything. Today, Denisha works to help other at-risk children find the same opportunities that transformed her life. It's a powerful story about the life-changing impact of love, education, and adults who choose to invest in a child.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, born to a teenage mother in one of Jacksonville's toughest neighborhoods, Denisha Allen spent much of her childhood moving between homes, failing in school, and believing she had no future. By the fifth grade, she had repeated third grade twice and was on the path toward becoming another dropout. Then a remarkable godmother, a scholarship to a small Christian school, and a handful of teachers who refused to give up on her changed everything. Today, Denisha works to help other at-risk children find the same opportunities that transformed her life. It's a powerful story about the life-changing impact of love, education, and adults who choose to invest in a child.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

She Failed Third Grade Twice. Then Everything Changed.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f93838ba-c224-42e2-9cea-b47c016fa269/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Harvard became one of the world's most prestigious universities, it was founded with a very different purpose: to educate ministers and ensure that future generations could read, understand, and teach the Bible. Scripture shaped the school's earliest curriculum, its mission, and even its student handbook.

As part of our ongoing 100 Bible Verses That Made America series, Robert Morgan shares the remarkable story of Harvard's Christian origins and explains how faith helped lay the foundation not only for America's first college, but for higher education throughout the colonies.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, before Harvard became one of the world's most prestigious universities, it was founded with a very different purpose: to educate ministers and ensure that future generations could read, understand, and teach the Bible. Scripture shaped the school's earliest curriculum, its mission, and even its student handbook. As part of our ongoing&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F0718079620%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C3ddd95b52e594407475308ded918f3e9%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639186899721808337%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C80000%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=c%2FjTfoLDAcuizUQkxwmeRziT5IYzn6NuYTTRJ2zcnuk%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">100 Bible Verses That Made America</a>&nbsp;series, Robert Morgan shares the remarkable story of Harvard's Christian origins and explains how faith helped lay the foundation not only for America's first college, but for higher education throughout the colonies.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Harvard's Christian Origins: 100 Bible Verses That Made America

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/8492692d-0116-4821-8376-b47c016fa268/transcript

The Man Who Built the World’s First Action Figure Museum

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