Blood Stones
RECOLLECTIONS
A podcast exploring history and culture through the collections of the Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University
Ep. 1 Sneak Peak: The Magical History of Bloodstones
Collections-focused podcast produced by the Reece Museum to begin on Friday, April 13
On Friday, April 13, the Reece Museum is launching “Recollections,” a podcast that explores history and culture through the collections of the B. Carroll Reece Museum at East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. “Recollections” episodes highlight artifacts at the Reece Museum and other local sources by interviewing experts and exploring what those artifacts can reveal about human culture and history. The researchers and artists who lend their expertise to the podcast series include ETSU professors, local musicians, and graduate students. Five-to-ten minutes long, these short form episodes are a curated exploration of some of the items that make up the museum’s impressive collection of almost 25,000 artifacts.
The podcast is an initiative curated by Saro Lynch-Thomason, a graduate student in the Department of Appalachian Studies, and graduate assistant in the Reece Museum since the fall of 2018. The podcast’s first episode focuses on an egg-shaped bloodstone in the museum’s collections. While little is known about the item’s history, Lynch-Thomason interviews an expert in folklore to explore bloodstone’s historic, multicultural usage as a magical tool.
While artifacts collected from all over the world are discussed, the series focuses on Appalachia, exploring topics including regional industries, crafts, environmental issues, and music. Upcoming episodes touch on themes including old-time music and the Grand Ole Opry, and labor history in East Tennessee.
New episodes will be released on the first Friday of each month throughout the year. Anyone can visit etsu.edu/recollections.com to listen and subscribe to episodes. Questions about the show or suggestions for future episodes can be sent to reecemus@etsu.edu.
