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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

The creepy #60Minutes interview of Patrick Clancy was immediately followed by a Kalshi ad, and that…tracks. 🤢🤮🙄

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Navigating the resistance 😎💅

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

This is SO FUNNY!! MapQuest: 😎💅

Screenshot of App Store on iPhone showing that MapQuest is the #1 downloaded app.

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Reposted by Alison Herring

Karen L. Cox 📚🏳️‍🌈 @drkarenlcox.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I’m glad I participated in #HATM this week. I loved Dolly & cried my eyes out over her this week. I also made a short post. karencoxhistorian.substack.com/p/for-the-lo...

karencoxhistorian.substack.com

For the love of Dolly

The best of the Appalachian South.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

A performative TV blow hard in a wig ruined everyone's fun, and that feels a bit on the nose right now. #HATM #TheBestLittleWhoreHouseInTexas

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

So... the Chicken Ranch survived ~100 years, wars, prohibition, the depression, and changing social norms but was destroyed by a mediocre man with a microphone and a sock in his pants so that he can feel important? #HATM

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Reposted by Alison Herring

HistorySmith @historysmith.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Wow... this movie whiplashes between progressive sexuality and regressive toxic masculinity and gender roles and misogyny so fast I need a neck brace. 🤯 #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I've never seen this movie, but I've heard this "Sidestep" song MANY times. So much pop culture lore here. #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

"If you see somebody without a smile, give them yours." I didn't know that was from this movie. #HATM #DollyParton

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I love the #HATM crowd for context like this! I'd never seen the movie and didn't know the history behind it.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Driving off in a van yelling "I'll get you for this" like the villains in Scooby Do! #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

"you fancified fart!" Oh my gosh!! 😂 #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

He's up there singing about carnal lust with a sock in his pants!! 😂 #HATM #BestLittleWhorehouseInTexas

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

So, I grew up in Arkansas and lived in Dallas for several years, and I never heard the two universities referred to as "TX Aggies" and "Texas U." It was always "Aggies," "Texas A&M" "UT" or "UT Austin." Anyone else find they way he referred to them as weird? #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Tonight's movie kicked off with a stereoview (or stereograph). William & Mary's Swem Library has a large collection donated by an alum. #HATM scrcguides.libraries.wm.edu/repositories...

scrcguides.libraries.wm.edu

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

1) I don't know 2) Wildflowers 3) chicken lo mein from PF Changs (frozen from Publix) #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

I’m in this week! I’ve never seen it, and watching it with y’all will be fun. #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Day 2 of #SCWH26 in #RVA. I’m attending Session 12 on Civil War Memory in Pop Culture. Although I’m sad to miss friend Dr. Madeleine Forrest moderating a panel at the same time. #SkyStorians

Image of program that reads, “Session 12 on Civil War Memory in Pop Culture.”

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

Day 1 of #SCWH26 is done!! I saw sooo many friendly faces that I haven’t seen since before the pandemic or the old #twitterstorians days. Tonight’s reception was delightful!! I’m looking forward to Friday!! #CivilWarHistory #SkyStorians #HistorySky

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Did those watching #AntiquesRoadshow catch the part where the woman said her husband intentionally took the name of the artist off the piece? She looked sooo sad, and I don’t blame her. These two pieces were beautiful and so meaningful.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 29/04/2026

Hey William & Mary alumni!! It’s One Tribe One Day!! Use the link below to give back. Even if you give later in the year, giving a small portion now had a big impact. Show your Tribe Pride! 💚💛 #OTOD #W&M donate.wm.edu/one-tribe-on...

One Tribe One Day text set against an image of the cupola of the Wren Building.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

We did it, Virginia!! The redistricting passed!! 💙💙💙💙💙

Map of Virginia counties showing the voting results. The heavily populated counties voted to pass the redistricting.

1,574,538 (51.5%) voted yes
1,485,785 (48.6%) voted no

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 09/04/2026

IT'S TODAY!!! #HogFans, let's support our alma mater! I've donated to the Adopt-A-Book program at the library to help preserve a book that needs some TLC. If you love libraries and old books, considering donating towards this fund! www.givecampus.com/.../one-day.... #1Day1UofA #GoHogs #Razorbacks

"One Day One UofA" with an image of Old Main in the background surrounded by trees.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Hog fans!!! ❤️ The countdown is on for #1Day1UofA 📆 Mark your calendars for April 9th! 👉 oneday.uark.edu

One Day One UofA with an image of Old Main in the background surrounded by green leaves on trees.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I'm still thinking about #TheGrayHouse from Sunday's #HATM. Ben Vereen's character has stayed with me the most. What hellscape had Isham Worthy endured over his life? Who was his mother? He is wise, tender hearted, and highly esteemed, which is quite the contrast to the horror he lived through.

Image of Ben Vereen dressed as enslaved man, Isham Worthy in The Gray House.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I really enjoyed watching #TheGrayHouse with #HATM. The production is marvelous and sheds important light on history that isn't well known (even here in Richmond). This matters so much, and I'm excited to watch the rest of the series!!

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

For more reading, I recommend Dr. Elizabeth R. Varon's book! #HATM #TheGrayHouse global.oup.com/academic/pro...

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Richmond's iconic Maggie Walker was the first Black woman to charter a bank and serve as a bank president. She was born during the Civil War to Elizabeth Draper, who was enslaved by the Van Lews. Walker & Van Lew both lived in Richmond for over 30 yrs & likely knew one another. #HATM #TheGrayHouse

Photograph of the great Maggie Walker of Richmond.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

To be clear, Elizabeth Van Lew's father did NOT emancipate them when he died. He left his enslaved people to his wife Eliza. He later added a codicil revoking her full control saying they were to pass to their children upon her death. #HATM Link to his will: www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3...

familysearch.org

FamilySearch.org

Discover your family history. Explore the world’s largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

The Van Lews might as well have hung a flag outside the house that said “underground railroad over here!” That’s how crazy this scene is. No shade on the show - just pointing out that things were far more dangerous and violent than portrayed. #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

No way would anyone have allowed themselves to be seen anywhere near an abolitionist rally - enslaved or free. White enslavers were that violent. Again, I understand the need for the plot, but never underestimate how virulent the hate was for abolitionist anything. #HATM

The Van Lew family and the people they enslaved at an abolitionist rally

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

There is NO WAY an abolition rally was held in Richmond or anywhere in the south in 1860. Anyone caught with abolitionist materials was in BIG TROUBLE. I understand that this is needed for the plot - but if someone finds evidence that any such rally happened in Richmond, I’ll be stunned. #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Amethyst Davis delivering an important point to Elizabeth Van Lew. White women - even if well meaning and working as allies - cannot imagine or understand what Black women endure. #HATM #TheGrayHouse.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Absolutely NOT! Or at best, VERY unlikely!! 😱 #HATM #TheGrayHouse

A woman lying down with a man on a picnic in 1860 Virginia.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Anyone else think the music at this point was reminiscent of Ashoken Farewell? Could that have been on purpose? #HATM #TheGrayHouse

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

I really don't think the Van Lew women would have gone to the jail to get Mary Jane Richards. They would have sent their son/brother or another male relative or friend. It would have been unseemly for them to go. #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

Did he just order a man to clean up Mary Jane Richards before being picked up by the Van Lews? I find it hard to believe any man like that would have bothered - for any reason. We can't underestimate how hateful they were. #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

They would never refer to a woman like Elizabeth Van Lew as “Miss Elizabeth.” It would have been “Miss Van Lew.” This kind of informality was used by close family members or when referring to children. #HATM

A man referring to Elizabeth Van Lew as “Miss Elizabeth.”

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

What does Elizabeth Van Lew see in this weaselly man? #HATM

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Reposted by Alison Herring

Rachel Gunter, Ph.D. 🗃️ @phdrachel.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

This argument that slavery was thrust upon the South without their knowledge or consent is consistent with Jefferson’s original final grievance of the declaration. The other founders replaced it w/ a line written by Ben Franklin about the King inciting domestic insurrections (Dunmore) instead #HATM

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

If she’s going to run a spy ring, she’ll need to work on her poker face! #HATM

Actress portraying Elizabeth Van Lew looking shocked.

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Alison Herring @historyherring.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

A man once tried to talk to Hattie Powell at a party w/o being formally introduced. She was so horrified, she turned her back, grabbed a book, & pretended to read. So, I think clandestine meetings between unmarried couples would not have happened. That, or Richmond society was… different. #HATM

A woman and man flirt in hiding in 1860 Richmond

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