An Inspired Chat with Dustin Blackson of St. Paul, Virginia

We recently had the chance to connect with Dustin Blackson and have shared our conversation below.

Dustin, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been finding joy in the little moments — the kind that remind you to slow down and really see what’s around you. The brisk fall weather has a way of doing that for me. There’s something about stepping outside and feeling that first chill in the air, watching the trees turn those deep reds and golds, that makes me pause and take it all in.

It’s been almost a year since I lost my grandmother, and her absence has changed the way I move through the world. She was such a grounding presence in my life — the kind of person who could make even an ordinary day feel special just by being there. Lately, I’ve found comfort in the things that remind me of her: the smell of something baking in the kitchen, a quiet afternoon spent with family, or even the sound of laughter filling a room. Those moments help me feel close to her, even though she’s no longer here.

Reconnecting with friends and family has been another source of joy and healing. Sharing stories, making new memories, and just being together has helped fill some of that empty space her loss left behind. It’s reminded me how precious time is — and how love keeps showing up in the people we still have around us.

So these days, joy feels a little different — softer, maybe — but also deeper. It’s in the beauty of the season, in the people I hold close, and in carrying a bit of my grandmother’s warmth with me wherever I go.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My love of history started with my upbringing from my grandparents—listening to their stories, retracing their childhood haunts on family trips, and rifling through my grandfather’s papers. One day, I found a list of names that shared my last name, and down the rabbit hole I went: first genealogy, then history in full.

Two obsessions claimed me early. Coal mining—because my grandfather worked in different coal mines in eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia—and classic Hollywood—because we spent many times watching old movies and TV together. As an adult, I chased those curiosities to Civil War reenactments, local museums, and eventually college. After my grandfather died in 2017, I took to the road, visiting historic sites and museums that rekindled my curiosity and broadened it—especially the American Revolution, which led me to join the Sons of the American Revolution.

When I saw people sharing their passions online, I launched Historic Explorations to do the same: spotlighting entertainment history, Appalachian coal country, and countless corners in between—with the goal of sparking interest and teaching something new along the way.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
My grandfather was the one who first sparked my curiosity about the world. He could take the simplest story and make it feel like a doorway into history — and that sense of wonder never left me. But it was my grandmother who became the heart of that curiosity. When I began caring for her later in life, I saw how the past lives inside people — in their memories, in the way they love, and in the stories they choose to share. Those moments with her taught me that history isn’t just found in books or archives; it’s alive in everyday life.

That realization led me to start Historic Explorations. It began as a way to preserve and share the kind of living history my grandparents embodied — to connect people to stories that might otherwise fade away. For a long time, I carried that caretaker role deeply — the one who protected their legacy and made sure their impact continued. It guided me, grounded me, and helped me build something meaningful.

But now, I’m learning that part of me has done its job. My grandmother’s spirit and my grandfather’s curiosity don’t need protecting anymore; they’re a part of who I am. It’s time to move from being the caretaker of memory to being an innovator of heritage — to let their influence evolve into new ideas, new stories, and new ways of exploring history. Releasing that part of myself feels like stepping fully into the next chapter — one that honors where I came from while creating something entirely my own.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There absolutely was a time I almost gave up. When my grandmother passed away in December 2024, it felt like the center of my world went quiet. I had spent so much of my life caring for her, listening to her stories, and letting her wisdom shape me. When she was gone, I suddenly found myself alone — the house felt empty, and even the work that once brought me joy felt too heavy to carry. The grief was overwhelming, heavier than any archive box I’d ever lifted.

For a while, I thought about stepping away from Historic Explorations. It had been born out of her influence, and without her, I wasn’t sure if it still had meaning. But then I’d catch myself hearing her voice — telling one more story, reminding me why I started all this in the first place.

So instead of walking away, I leaned in. I started channeling that loneliness into purpose — using the ache of loss to fuel my passion for preserving stories and connecting with others who’ve loved and lost, too. Historic Explorations became more than a project; it became a way to keep her spirit alive in the world, to transform grief into something that gives back.

Looking back now, I think that was the moment everything shifted — when I stopped being the caretaker of her memory and became the creator of something new. Her stories didn’t end with her passing; they became the foundation for mine.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes—what you see is me, just shaped for daylight. The same curiosity and love of stories that drive me in life are exactly what I bring to Historic Explorations. I’m naturally drawn to people and their histories, and I think that joy shows up in the work. Whether I’m researching an archive or sharing a new discovery, it all comes from a genuine place of connection and gratitude.

I don’t share every vulnerable moment, but the curiosity, warmth, and excitement you see are 100% real. I’ve learned that being authentic doesn’t mean showing every struggle—it means letting your true values guide everything you do. For me, that means staying open, kind, and endlessly curious. The public version of me is simply the best, most hopeful version of who I strive to be every day.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I was a bridge—between past and present, between coal camps and silver screens, between family memory and public history. That I listened deeply, especially to elders, and helped turn their stories into something lasting and alive.

I’d like to be remembered as someone who showed up—with curiosity, with care, and with heart. That caregiving wasn’t a pause in my life but part of my purpose. The tenderness my grandparents gave me shaped the way I see the world, and I’ve tried to pass that same compassion forward in everything I do.

I hope people say I made history feel close enough to touch—that I asked thoughtful questions, shared what I found with a smile and a wink, and left folks a little more curious than I found them. And if they point to Historic Explorations as a home for that spirit—a place where anyone can discover their own story and see themselves in history—then that, to me, would be a legacy worth leaving.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.historicexplorations.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historicexplorations/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/historicexplorations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historicexplorations1/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@historicexplorations