history
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The year of reading old books
This year, I am doing something that feels unnatural to me. Instead of going out and looking for new books to add to my shelves, I’m going to look at those shelves for books I already own. It is not necessarily in the spirit of anti-consumption, for if I won the lottery, I would still…
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James Madison, Father of the Constitution
Madison tends to melt into the background when compared to the other Founders. This doesn’t mean that he was less significant: he helped to shape our country into what she is now.
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How the Post Office Created America
The Post Office became a much-needed social spot. Men and women went to gather their mail, enjoying chats with neighbors in the process.
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5 Reasons to (Finally) Read 1776
This year, I was beckoned by the book 1776 by David McCullough. I remember purchasing it long ago, soon after it was published. I purchased it in the spirit of “Everyone is buying it. Therefore, it must also be on my shelf.”
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Mary Todd Lincoln Wasn’t ‘Crazy’
Why does Mary seem to get all of the blame for their broken marriage? While we’re at it, Why was Mary offered so little sympathy, even after her husband was killed by her side?
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The Early Sorrows of Martha Washington
Much of the Washingtons’ union remains a mystery. After George’s death, Martha burned most of the letters they exchanged.
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Martha Washington: The First Founding Mother
Indeed, if there were Founding Fathers, there must have been Founding Mothers, too—and foremost of them all is Martha Washington.
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History in Art, #1
Doctor, I die hard; but I am not afraid to go; I believed from my first attack that I should not survive it; my breath can not last long. Haunting and poignant, these are George Washington’s final recorded words, spoken as life slipped from his body. His death occurred on December 14, 1799. He had…
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31 Years Old & Reading Fairy Tales
At the young age of 31, though I wish I’d managed to achieve more by now, I am reminded of the C.S. Lewis quote: I am old enough to begin reading fairy tales again, and I’m going to make my reading this coming year more intentional.
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Historic Bite #2: Maude Fealy, Silent Film Actress
Maude captivated the audience’s attention with her angelic looks and rich brown hair. This beauty helped catapult her into the world of filmmaking; soon she would become an easily recognizable celebrity.
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Historic Bite #1 – Boticelli’s Muse
Simonetta’s time as an “it” girl was rife with conflict. Soon after she started modeling for Boticelli, her jealous husband began to suspect that his wife and the artist were having an affair.
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Beatrix Potter: Author and Naturalist, Part III (Conclusion)
The advice ‘write what you know’ rings true in most situations. A story might fall flat if the author is trying to write something they do not know, or if they try explaining something they have not researched. Beatrix Potter’s quest to learn about fungi is one example of this.
Mariella Hunt & the Tearoom 