Past PA
From Three Mile Island to the Chocolate King, learn the inside, sometimes unknown stories behind key events and people in Pennsylvania history. New episodes feature the near-miss disaster at Three Mile Island, the complicated legacy of Milton Hershey & key figures in Pennsylvania’s fight for abolition. And don’t miss our episodes on the Whiskey Rebellion, an unlikely hero at the Battle of Gettysburg, the Johnstown Flood of 1889 and a favorite Pennsylvania ghost story.
Past PA illuminates the history of Pennsylvania. It will bring a deeper understanding of important events that people have likely heard of but might not know very much about, and help people learn new stories about well-known events.
Many of the events and individuals throughout the Commonwealth’s history have important lessons to teach us today.
Episodes
Colonial Conflict: Pennsylvania & the Road to Revolution
Pennsylvanians played a major role in the coming of the American Revolution.
4/23/25 | 8m 27s
French & Indian War: Roots of the American Revolution
The French & Indian War laid the groundwork for the American Revolution. Watch to learn more.
4/22/25 | 9m 21s
Abolition: Pennsylvania’s Fight Against Slavery
The movement to abolish slavery had many Pennsylvania roots. Learn about key figures like John Brown and Absalom Jones.
6/5/24 | 9m 41s
Milton Hershey: Unwrapping the Chocolate King
There is perhaps no more instantly recognizable candy on the planet than the famous Hershey Kiss. Learn the story of Milton Hershey's life and legacies.
6/5/24 | 9m 35s
Three Mile Island: Near-Miss Nuclear Disaster
Learn the truth behind Three Mile Island and how the nuclear incident and ensuing panic shaped the future of nuclear power.
6/5/24 | 11m 7s
The Johnstown Flood
The Johnstown Flood of 1889 was one of the worst natural disasters in American history. What do the circumstances that caused the flood, and its recovery, teach us about the best and worst of human nature?
5/26/23 | 10m 56s
The White Lady of Wopsy
Everyone loves a good ghost story. The White Lady of Wopsy is a Pennsylvania version of the classic ghostly hitchhiker tale, with roots that may stem from a real tragedy.
5/17/23 | 8m 11s
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PA Local Podcast
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Year-Round Gardening
Year-Round Gardening gives basic gardening tips throughout the year. The instructional clips feature Penn State Extension Educators and Master Gardeners.
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