For the past decade, the Harrisburg Mansion Concert Series has been offering something different from the usual large concert venues — intimate performances where audiences sit just feet away from world-class musicians.

For the past decade, the <a href="https://www.mansionconcert.com/">Harrisburg Mansion Concert Series</a> has been offering something different from the usual large concert venues &mdash; intimate performances where audiences sit just feet away from world-class musicians.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb starts conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

The Spark

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what’s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at https://witf.org/programs/the-spark.

When people come together and talk about really interesting topics, great questions spark better understanding and opportunities for new ideas to form. On The Spark from WITF, host Asia Tabb start the conversations about what&rsquo;s happening in the world and at home. Share your ideas at&nbsp;<a href="https://witf.org/programs/the-spark">https://witf.org/programs/the-spark</a>.

Harrisburg’s Mansion Concert Series Brings Intimate Music Experiences to Central PA

Dr. Leroy Hopkins

Tracie Potts

(00:00:00)

First, we look at the work of Dr. Louis S. Hopkins, whose forty years of research into Lancaster’s African American past blends rigorous scholarship with lived experience. Growing up in segregated southeast Lancaster City, Dr. Hopkins developed a deep awareness of how geography, access, and memory inform the historical record. His ongoing efforts to recover stories long pushed to the margins challenge us to reconsider how communities understand their own past.

(00:22:24)

We then shift to a post‑lecture conversation with Tracie Potts, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, following David M. Rubenstein’s recent Blavatt Lecture: “The Declaration of Independence at 250: Its Origins and Importance.” Potts reflects on the event, Rubenstein’s insights, and why examining the nation’s founding document matters as the U.S. approaches its semi quincentennial.

(00:00:00)
First, we look at the work of Dr. Louis S. Hopkins, whose forty years of research into Lancaster&rsquo;s African American past blends rigorous scholarship with lived experience. Growing up in segregated southeast Lancaster City, Dr. Hopkins developed a deep awareness of how geography, access, and memory inform the historical record. His ongoing efforts to recover stories long pushed to the margins challenge us to reconsider how communities understand their own past.
(00:22:24)
We then shift to a post‑lecture conversation with Tracie Potts, Executive Director of the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg College, following David M. Rubenstein&rsquo;s recent Blavatt Lecture: &ldquo;The Declaration of Independence at 250: Its Origins and Importance.&rdquo; Potts reflects on the event, Rubenstein&rsquo;s insights, and why examining the nation&rsquo;s founding document matters as the U.S. approaches its semi quincentennial.

Recovering Forgotten Stories: Lancaster’s African American History and the Declaration of Independence at 250

If you’ve walked through Harrisburg, you’ve likely encountered the bold, vibrant work of artist Dionn Reneé — murals that don’t just brighten walls but tell stories, honor neighborhoods, and reflect the city’s spirit. A painter, photographer, designer, and community builder, Reneé is shaping the capital city’s visual identity while expanding her reach far beyond it.

and

A rare and disturbing story from Cumberland County’s past is reaching a global audience through new historical research and a BBC podcast, shedding light on the life of Cloe, an enslaved teenage girl whose words survive in court and newspaper records. “For enslaved women in the United States, there’s only a handful of women whose words were actually recorded and preserved in the historical record, and Cloe’s was one of them,” said local historian Merri Lou Schaumann. Born in 1782, Cloe was enslaved by multiple people before being purchased at age 14 by the Carruthers family in what was then East Pennsboro Township.

If you&rsquo;ve walked through Harrisburg, you&rsquo;ve likely encountered the bold, vibrant work of artist&nbsp;Dionn Rene&eacute;&nbsp;&mdash; murals that don&rsquo;t just brighten walls but tell stories, honor neighborhoods, and reflect the city&rsquo;s spirit. A painter, photographer, designer, and community builder, Rene&eacute; is shaping the capital city&rsquo;s visual identity while expanding her reach far beyond it.
and
A rare and disturbing story from Cumberland&nbsp;<a href="https://www.historicalsociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Local-Historical-Society-on-the-BBC-podcast-Lady-Killers-with-Lucy-Worsley-Press-Release.docx.pdf">County&rsquo;s</a>&nbsp;past is reaching a global audience through new historical research and a BBC podcast, shedding light on the life of Cloe, an enslaved teenage girl whose words survive in court and newspaper records. &ldquo;For enslaved women in the United States, there&rsquo;s only a handful of women whose words were actually recorded and preserved in the historical record, and Cloe&rsquo;s was one of them,&rdquo; said local historian Merri Lou Schaumann. Born in 1782, Cloe was enslaved by multiple people before being purchased at age 14 by the Carruthers family in what was then East Pennsboro Township.

The Spark Weekly 2/5/2026: Artist Dionn Reneé and The Story of Cloe 

J Roundtable

Braver Angels

(00:00:00)

WITF’s Jaxon White breaks down Gov. Josh Shapiro’s 2026 budget address, delivered to the Pennsylvania legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 3. He explains the administration’s key priorities, proposed spending, and what the plan could mean for communities across the Commonwealth.

WITF reporter Jordan Wilkie also joins us to discuss his recent reporting on efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reinterpret or narrow long‑standing constitutional protections. He outlines what these actions look like on the ground, their potential legal implications, and how affected families are responding.

(00:22:37)

Later in the episode, Dr. Mary Theresa “Terry” Webb of Braver Angels shares why she believes the country is facing a dangerous moment of toxic politics and weakened leadership, and why courageous citizenship is more essential than ever.

Listeners interested in Braver Angels can visit braverangels.org, use the “Find My Alliance” tool to locate the Lower Susquehanna Alliance, or join for $12/year to receive national and local updates and access free virtual events.

(00:00:00)
WITF&rsquo;s&nbsp;Jaxon White breaks down Gov. Josh Shapiro&rsquo;s 2026 budget address, delivered to the Pennsylvania legislature on Tuesday, Feb. 3. He explains the administration&rsquo;s key priorities, proposed spending, and what the plan could mean for communities across the Commonwealth.
WITF reporter Jordan Wilkie also joins us to discuss his recent reporting on efforts by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to reinterpret or narrow long‑standing constitutional protections. He outlines what these actions look like on the ground, their potential legal implications, and how affected families are responding.
(00:22:37)
Later in the episode, Dr. Mary Theresa &ldquo;Terry&rdquo; Webb of Braver Angels shares why she believes the country is facing a dangerous moment of toxic politics and weakened leadership, and why&nbsp;courageous citizenship is more essential than ever.
Listeners interested in Braver Angels can visit braverangels.org, use the &ldquo;Find My Alliance&rdquo; tool to locate the Lower Susquehanna Alliance, or join for $12/year to receive national and local updates and access free virtual events.

Harrisburg’s Mansion Concert Series Brings Intimate Music Experiences to Central PA

In 1 playlist(s)

The Spark

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips