A few years ago, I was given access to insightful, sometimes humorous, sometimes heartbreaking letters written by a Civil War soldier to his wife. She was my great-times-four Aunt Hester, and he was John Williamson, the son of Irish immigrants. At the start of the Civil War in April 1861 John was 22 years old, … More Hanover Junction and a young Civil War soldier
On Sunday, March 8, 2026 Pennsylvania celebrates its Charter Day! It commemorates the 1681 charter granting the land that became Pennsylvania, from England’s King Charles II to William Penn. It will be the state’s 345th anniversary! There are going to be special events and celebrations held all over the state, including at Eckley Miners’ Village … More I’m giving a book talk on March 8, 2026 at Eckley Miners’ Village
In the fall of 1861, 22-year-old John Williamson was spending his first Thanksgiving away from home, hundreds of miles from his new wife and unborn baby. He’d joined the Union Army and had left his home in Eckley, a coal mining town in northeastern Pennsylvania to be part of the Defenses of Washington. He wrote … More Thanksgiving during the Civil War and Lincoln’s resonating message
…and a couple of examples about how the more things change, the more they stay the same. Or change. While we’re dealing with our arctic blast, I’ve been wondering what the weather was like in the winter of 1861-1862, the first winter of the Civil War. Why? Because of the letters of a 23-year-old soldier … More Winter soldiering during the Civil War: extracts from a soldier’s letter home in January 1862
I have a crush. I’ve had it for about two years now. My husband knows about it and oddly is fine with it. That’s because the object of my crush is the popular Court House Deer statue that stands in front of the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A couple of years ago, I … More Birthday prep for the Court House Deer
I woke up thinking about John. John Williamson is the Civil War soldier whose letters home to his wife form the core of my book ‘You Dream Every Night That I am Home.” Since I wrote the book, I think about John every Memorial Day. He was 23 years old when he was killed, was … More A misty day of remembrance
Every year, an event called Patchtown Days is held at Eckley Miners’ Village in northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2024 it will be held on June 15th & 16th. Eckley is a preserved 19th century coal town, or patch, and the event celebrates the heritage of the coal region. I love Eckley and am a proud descendant … More Can’t wait for Patchtown Days at Eckley
As we approach Valentine’s Day, I’m reminded of an unusual bit of history related to romance–the Love Rock at Eckley Miners’ Village. Eckley, Pennsylvania is an open-air museum–a coal town from the 1800s that’s basically been frozen in time. Located near Hazleton, it is a destination for history buffs, school groups and those with family … More Hiding in plain sight–Eckley, Pennsylvania’s “Love Rock”
I’ve been asked again and again how I promote my books, which are published on Amazon. One way is “Meet the Author” book talks. I’ve done two of them now. How did I get the opportunities to do them? By making people aware of my books, which are about the history of northeastern Pennsylvania. After … More Self-published means self-promotion
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