Backyard History
Backyard History
Andrew MacLean
🦞 Forgotten Stories From Atlantic Canada’s Past 🦞From the popular column in 20+ newspapers, Backyard History combines The Maritimes' classic storytelling traditions with meticulous archival research and features more than a dozen voice actors to immerse you in the rich past of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, PEI and Newfoundland. Produced by Jordan Lauzier.📕 Buy the FOUR Backyard History books at backyardhistory.ca
Howl in the Maritimes: The Easter Allen Ginsberg Shook a City
The controversial American poet Allen Ginsberg arrives in New Brunswick for the only Canadian date on his legendary sold out 1967 tour reading his historic epic poem: Howl. The reaction to his Easter reading of that poem in a Saint John church was, shall we say ... mixed!   backyardhistory.ca
Jun 5
20 min
The Murder of Timothy McCarthy
The true story of a Moncton innkeeper's mysterious disappearance, unsolved murder, and miscarriage of justice. This special episode, featuring 13 voice actresses and actors voicing historical quotes to bring the story alive, digs deep into the archives to piece together what really happened to Timothy McCarthy and who almost certainly murdered him.   This story appears in the book 'Backyard History: Rebellious Women in The Maritimes,' which can be found at backyardhistory.ca/books
May 21
45 min
Bogged Down in Cape Breton - Beryl Markham's Historic Flight Part 2
A quiet Cape Breton day is broken by a plane crash, which soon attracts the attention of the entire world. The second part of a two-part series on famous, pioneering aviator Beryl Markham's historic transatlantic flight that ended up in a Cape Breton bog.   This is the cover story of the third Backyard History book, 'Rebellious Women In The Maritimes.' Find it at backyardhistory.ca/books
Mar 23
27 min
Bogged Down in Cape Breton - Beryl Markham's Historic Flight - Part 1
The incredible story of Beryl Markham's legendary Atlantic crossing, an implausible story involving everything from royal affairs to Kenyan lions, which unceremoniously ended up in a Cape Breton bog.    Part one of two!   This is the cover story of the book 'Backyard History: Rebellious Women in the Maritimes,' available at backyardhistory.ca/books
Feb 12
25 min
Captain William Milne's Gold Watch
A gold watch was given to Captain Milne as a reward for his clever ruse that turned the tables on the men who captured his ship...
Jan 15
15 min
Home for Christmas: The Pilot Who Returned from the Dead
Declared dead in the Second World War, Atlantic Canadian pilot Allan Spear escaped captivity, survived behind enemy lines, and returned home for an unexpected Christmas reunion.   Buy the books at backyardhistory.ca/books
Dec 24, 2025
22 min
The Residence Ghost
The story of Fredericton's very friendly ghost!
Oct 31, 2025
15 min
Blue Water: The Movie Hollywood Wanted to Sink
A Maritimes movie is suppressed by Hollywood as it tries to kill off the Canadian film industry ... featuring a surprising appearance by a young Joey Smallwood!   This story appears in the new book 'Backyard History: Mysterious Stories From Atlantic Canada's Past' which is available at backyardhistory.ca
Oct 6, 2025
21 min
When Canada and America Went to War, Two Towns Chose Peace
Canada and the U.S. went to war — but St. Stephen and Calais wouldn’t play along.
Aug 19, 2025
20 min
Comedy on the Rocks: When Comedians Stuck at Sea Turned Disaster into Drama
Little Pictou Island, Nova Scotia, gets its first ever play in the most unusual of circumstances ... after a winter ferry from PEI gets stuck in the ice and drifts over to the island!   Get the Backyard History books at backyardhistory.ca
May 19, 2025
10 min
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