Front Porch Radio - History's Hook

Hosts Tom Price and Jo Ann McClellan are joined by Louisville, Kentucky native Lyman M. Johnson. After attending the University of Louisville and spending time in the military, he also attended the University of Kentucky where he studied chemistry. He spent his career as a chemist for Honeywell Corporation before working as an environmental chemist with the Environmental Protection Agency. He now lives near Los Angeles, California
Mr. Johnson’s father Lyman T. Johnson was a leader in the American Civil Rights movement. The first black man to be admitted to the University of Kentucky, after having to sue for the right to attend, he eventually was bestowed three honorary doctorates. A building on the campus bears his name. Our guest’s grandfather Robert G. Johnson was a leader in the education of black students and served as a teacher and principal here in Columbia, TN. Our guest’s great-grandfather was born enslaved here in Maury County, and was able to purchase his freedom and that of his wife before becoming, himself, educated. It’s a truly an inspiring American story.

What is Front Porch Radio - History's Hook?

History’s Hook is a weekly audio-media series that uses local stories…stories found in everyone’s backyard…to explore national and world history. The show features experts and eye-witnesses to events that make those connections in history. The show’s host, Tom Price is a veteran historian who has spent nearly 30 years working in museums and archives finding those documents and objects that tell the stories of all of us. He has published numerous articles on U.S. History and has curated fifteen major exhibitions related to American History and culture.