Category Archives: 17th century

Happy Anniversary to the Pilgrims

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Tim

It’s not every day a history site in the United States gets to celebrate a 400th anniversary. (for perspective, 2026 marks the 250th birthday of the US)  This year was supposed to be the big 400th commemoration of Plymouth, Massachusetts … Continue reading →

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In praise of historic sites

Posted on April 14, 2020 by Tim

I’ve enjoyed visiting history places ever since I can remember. Whether Devil’s Den at the Gettysburg battlefield or the hallowed room of Independence Hall in Philadelphia or the sweeping lawn of Mount Vernon, places have captured my imagination and allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, 21st century, American Revolution, military, national park, President | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

One of the most unique history sites

Posted on August 21, 2019 by Tim

The Northern Neck of Virginia is a remote, flat region of corn and soybean fields sculpted by the rising and falling of the Chesapeake Bay’s tidal waters. It’s a long arm of land stretching east of Fredericksburg, between the Potomac … Continue reading →

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Within These Walls… if our houses could talk

Posted on July 14, 2019 by Tim

  If you’re visiting Washington this summer, here is a must-see exhibition: Within These Walls at the National Museum of American History. It features the largest artifact in the museum’s collection, a house that stood at 16 Elm Street in … Continue reading →

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America’s worst naval disaster?

Posted on March 18, 2015 by Tim

Imagine a quintessential Maine seacoast town. What does it look like? Shaded streets, white buildings, a green in the middle? Many Maine coastal villages have these features, but few boast such a fascinating history as Castine. Situated on a narrow … Continue reading →

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Paddling in a birchbark canoe

Posted on October 19, 2014 by Tim

I’ve been going to Maine annually for a number of years, going back to a rental house on the water and enjoying the beauty of Mount Desert Island. Most people visit Acadia National Park for the scenery, unrivaled on the … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th century, 19th century, 20th century, art and culture, national park, Native American, pre-America, tourism, transportation | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A whalebone sidewalk and more

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Tim

While perhaps best known for its spectacular aquarium, its otters and Cannery Row, Monterey, California has a fascinating history that illustrates the turmoil of shifting power over many years. Monterey was the capital of the region of Alta California under both … Continue reading →

Posted in 16th century, 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, city/town, International, religion, West | 4 Comments

Jamestown’s foothold in the New World

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Tim

The three ships look surprisingly small for an ocean voyage. Even smaller when you consider that 104 passengers were crammed into them for five months. Reproductions of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery sit at anchor in a cove of the James … Continue reading →

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A little known monument in east London

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Tim

In London, directly across the Thames River from the O2 arena sits a rather obscure memorial, lost among the high rise apartment buildings surrounding it. A passerby might think it’s a modern sculpture of sorts. It’s a pile of gray … Continue reading →

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Boston favorites

Posted on September 8, 2013 by Tim

I just returned from Boston and once again enjoyed walking miles through the neighborhoods. It is truly one of America’s great walkable cities. I took a guided walking tour of historic Beacon Hill and no surprise, ended up on the … Continue reading →

Posted in 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, American Revolution, art and culture, cemetery/grave, national park, religion | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment