I’m giving a book talk on March 8, 2026 at Eckley Miners’ Village

March 5, 2026

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

Thanksgiving during the Civil War and Lincoln’s resonating message

November 21, 2025

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

Winter soldiering during the Civil War: extracts from a soldier’s letter home in January 1862

January 22, 2025

…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

Hiding in plain sight–Eckley, Pennsylvania’s “Love Rock”

February 11, 2024

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”

The Old Stone Warehouse of Fredericksburg, witness to over 200 years of history

November 9, 2023

As I’ve admitted in previous posts, I’ve become fascinated with the idea of witness trees. And witness buildings, witness bridges, witness rail lines—anything and everything that’s borne witness to events, major and minor, in history. The city of Fredericksburg, Virginia, established in 1728, is famous for its history. George Washington was 6 years old in … More The Old Stone Warehouse of Fredericksburg, witness to over 200 years of history