Category Archives: 18th century

Meet James, the enslaved man who spied for Lafayette

Posted on May 4, 2022 by Tim

Interstate 64 connects the present capital of Virginia, Richmond, and the former capital, Williamsburg. About midway between sits New Kent County. Tourists drive through it on their way to history sites and amusements in Williamsburg, or to the beach, but … Continue reading →

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A magical moment at Mount Vernon

Posted on August 11, 2020 by Tim

Recently I experienced what I call a magical moment at a history site. I haven’t been to any historic sites since March, thanks to the pandemic. I was happy to hear that Mount Vernon, George Washington’s restored home near Alexandria, … 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

Ironbridge Gorge’s place in world history

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Tim

The world’s first iron bridge. Continue reading →

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Blenheim Palace and Americans

Posted on December 19, 2019 by Tim

Blenheim Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offers an interesting intersection of American and British history. Continue reading →

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Best historic bike trail in the US?

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Tim

The 52-mile Capital Trail runs from Jamestown to Richmond, paralleling the James River through centuries of history. Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 19th century, agricultural, American Revolution, city/town, Civil War, house, military, President, religion | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

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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James Madison’s Montpelier

Posted on November 21, 2018 by Tim

More and more historic sites are beginning to tell the whole story. What I mean is after many decades of avoiding difficult topics, such as slavery, they are pushing past self-imposed boundaries, seeking the complex truth, and striving to find … Continue reading →

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Comparing American Revolution Museums – Part 2 – Yorktown

Posted on August 30, 2018 by Tim

Two new museums devoted to telling the story of the American Revolution opened within a month of each other in Spring 2017. What are the odds? Philadelphia and Yorktown, Virginia both seemed like obvious places for such a museum. The … Continue reading →

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