HUB History - Our Favorite Stories from Boston History

HUB History

Boston

American Revolution

Joseph Lee

Old North Church

Harvard University

Paul Revere

Annie Burton

Massachusetts

Cotton Mather

William Monroe Trotter

Siege Of Boston

Halifax Explosion

Boston Game

Oneida Football Club

George Washington

Christmas Cards

African American History

Civil Rights Movement

Abolitionism

American Revolutionary War

Boston history that goes far beyond the Freedom Trail.

200 ratings

Publishes	Twice monthly	Episodes	383	Founded	10 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	Places & TravelHistorySociety & Culture

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Latest Episodes

Introducing “Queer Boston’s Pursuit of Happiness,” with Joan Ilacqua

For months now, listeners have heard me talking about another podcast I’ve been working on, but I haven’t shared much about what it is. This week, we introduce the brand new podcast “Queer Boston’s Pursuit of Happiness.” It’s hosted by Joan Ilacqua, ... more

6 Sep 2026 • 1 hr 15 min • Most popular

YouTube

Before Boston: Early Englishmen on Massachusetts Bay

Before John Winthrop’s Puritan Arbella fleet made landfall in 1630 and set the standard narrative of Massachusetts Bay, a rowdy and disparate cast of English traders, eccentric recluses, and ill-fated opportunists was already carving out a precarious... more

23 Aug 2026 • 46 min • Popular

YouTube

Warning Out in early New England, with Jonathan Beecher Field

In this episode, Clemson professor Jonathan Beecher Field helps us explore the history of poor support in early New England and the surprising practice known as "warning out." In the 17th- and 18th-century, Boston and other New England towns tied pub... more

9 Aug 2026 • 39 min

YouTube

Boston in 50 Maps, with Andy Woodruff

Andy Woodruff’s new book Boston in 50 Maps goes beyond familiar compilations of public-domain historic maps of Boston, Woodruff’s work offers an engaging, data-driven look at the Hub through 50 original, modern maps. Andy’s maps reveal layers of Bos... more

26 Jul 2026 • 1 hr 4 min

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Joan Ilacqua

Executive Director of Queer History Boston, host of Queer Boston's Pursuit of Happiness

Queer History Boston

Episode: Introducing “Queer Boston’s Pursuit of Happiness,” with Joan Ilacqua

JL Bell

Local historian, author of works on revolutionary New England

Boston1775.net

Episode: Introducing “Queer Boston’s Pursuit of Happiness,” with Joan Ilacqua

Jen Mannion

Professor of history, Amherst College; author of Female Husbands

Amherst College

Episode: Introducing “Queer Boston’s Pursuit of Happiness,” with Joan Ilacqua

Jonathan Beecher Field

Associate professor of American literature at Clemson University; author on New England dissidents and town governance

Clemson University

Episode: Warning Out in early New England, with Jonathan Beecher Field

Andy Woodruff

Cartographer and author of Boston in 50 Maps

Freelance cartographer

Episode: Boston in 50 Maps, with Andy Woodruff

Eric Jay Dolin

Author of Rebels at Sea, privateering in the American Revolution

Author, Historian

Episode: Rebels at Sea Revisited, with Eric Jay Dolin

Lauren Graves

Curator of a Boston Athenaeum exhibit; prepared the conversation around Where's Boston? 50 years later

Boston Athenaeum

Episode: Fifty Years Later: Where’s Boston? with Lauren Graves

JD. Dickey

Author of Boston, 1776, A Rogue Tour of Revolution City

Brooklyn? (as per episode; not definitively stated)

Episode: Revolutionary Nightlife in Boston 1776

Scott Kerman

Humorist and stand-up comedian, author of The Duke

Author, The Duke

Episode: The Duke: Weekly Conversations With The Last Honest Politician, with Scott Kerman

Hosts

Jake Hub History

Host of HUB History, guiding episodes with a research-forward approach and deep dives into Boston history.

Nikki

Co-host emerita/interviewer and host on HUB History with a focus on connecting guests and audiences to archival material and local institutions.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 200 ratings

A fresh view on history
Great range of topics, interesting angles and insights
Apple Podcasts
5
one-eyed Joker
United States2 months ago
Because of this podcast, it inspired me to get involved in my local historical Association
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I found Hub History while looking for information on Deane Winthrop and ended up going down a rabbit hole—in the best way possible. After listening to the episode on the Quabbin Reservoir and the lost towns of the Swift River Valley, I was hooked.
Since then, I’ve binge-listened to every episode and have been recommending it to anyone with an interest in Boston or history in general. The storytelling is engaging, the research is excellent, and every episode pulls you in.
What reall... more
Apple Podcasts
5
Bill V Winthrop Ma
United States5 months ago
Content and research excellent. Voice cadence unlistenable.
Although intended to be listened to, this is a podcast where reading the transcript is the better way to go. Please rework the style of delivery.
Apple Podcasts
2
MSS in Boston
United States6 months ago
Horrible narration
The voice actor sucks. sounds like AI
Apple Podcasts
1
ZKR 313
United States8 months ago
No more politics
I don’t tune into this podcasts for the host’s political rants. Please stop.
Apple Podcasts
3
Jack 204
United States10 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some criticisms center on delivery cadence, not the credibility or depth of content.

Fans note engaging narratives that connect archival material to modern issues.

Listeners praise rigorous research and strong sourcing in episodes.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#151	Canada/Society & Culture/Places & Travel
Apple Podcasts	#98	India/Society & Culture/Places & Travel
Apple Podcasts	#203	Mexico/Society & Culture/Places & Travel

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Introducing “Queer Boston’s Pursuit of Happiness,” with Joan Ilacqua

Q: How did Deborah Sampson become a public figure, and what makes her story stand out among other cases?

Deborah Sampson emerged as a prominent figure due to a combination of longer service, public performances, a memoir with sensational details, and high-profile advocates like Paul Revere; her ability to stay in uniform and later pursue a pension solidified her place in history, making her one of the most documented, celebrated cases of a woman who lived as a man for an extended period.

Introducing “Queer Boston’s Pursuit of Happiness,” with Joan Ilacqua

Q: Could you tell us about what kind of prohibitions existed against transgressing gender and sexuality during this period?

The 18th-century New England legal framework had sodomy laws from the prior century, but prosecutions were relatively rare and disputes were often settled without harsh punishments; there was a somewhat more forgiving atmosphere for sexuality in the 1700s compared with the 1600s, and practices like bundling persisted in certain communities.

Rebels at Sea Revisited, with Eric Jay Dolin

Q: What were the practical conditions for privateers, such as recruitment and pay?

Owners recruited captains and crews through direct contacts and local ads; crews were enticed with potential riches and provisions, while officers received larger shares; prizes were adjudicated in courts to ensure legality.

Rebels at Sea Revisited, with Eric Jay Dolin

Q: Can you give us a definition of privateering that doesn't refer to piracy?

Privateering is when a government issues letters of marque that authorize civilian ships to arm themselves and capture enemy ships as prizes, with profits shared between the ship owners and crew; it is a legally sanctioned maritime militia, distinct from piracy.

Revolutionary Nightlife in Boston 1776

Q: What else will readers be able to experience in your travel guide to Boston, 1776?

Readers will learn about the town's layout, everyday activities, and hidden details not usually captured in history books, including punctual smallpox checks, travel prerequisites, and social interactions that defined daily life.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About HUB History

What is HUB History about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show consistently offers in-depth explorations of Boston's history, moving beyond well-worn narratives to spotlight lesser-known events, people, and places. Episodes pair scholarly guests with primary-source storytelling, covering topics from colonial welfare practices and Loyalist experiences to maps, nightlife in 1776, and major urban events. A notable strength is the rigorous use of archival material and expert guests, which helps listeners understand how history is researched and interpreted, while making it engaging for local residents and history buffs alike.

Where can I find podcast stats for HUB History?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for HUB History. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to HUB History and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does HUB History get?

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What are the audience demographics for HUB History?

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How many subscribers and views does HUB History have?

To see how many followers or subscribers HUB History has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to HUB History?

These podcasts share a similar audience with HUB History:

1. Ben Franklin's World
2. History Unplugged Podcast
3. For the Ages: A History Podcast
4. The Gilded Gentleman
5. The Bowery Boys: New York City History

How many episodes of HUB History are there?

HUB History launched 10 years ago and published 383 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact HUB History?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for HUB History?

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What guests have appeared on HUB History?

Recent guests on HUB History include:

1. Joan Ilacqua
2. JL Bell
3. Jen Mannion
4. Jonathan Beecher Field
5. Andy Woodruff
6. Eric Jay Dolin
7. Lauren Graves
8. JD. Dickey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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