Difficult Histories: Everyday Life in the Land of Rip Van Winkle is a monthly radio program that records and preserves the voices of ordinary people in Columbia and Greene counties. By inviting local residents to record their stories, Difficult Histories contributes to a broader record of our community’s history and makes possible a wider participation in the process of its representation. Difficult Histories derives from that approach to history rooted in the investigation of everyday life.

Memories of roadwork in the 1930s; a Cajun musician discusses life on the road; a DOT worker talks about his path to roadway repair; and a photographer discusses the American roadscape.

"Difficult Histories" is supported, in part, by the New York Council for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.