Category Archives: 20th century

In praise of historic sites

Posted on April 14, 2020 by

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

Blenheim Palace and Americans

Posted on December 19, 2019 by

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

Posted in 18th century, 20th century, cemetery/grave, garden, house, International | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Within These Walls… if our houses could talk

Posted on July 14, 2019 by

  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 →

Posted in 17th century, 18th century, 19th century, 20th century, American Revolution, house | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

City of Ships

Posted on October 29, 2016 by

On a recent vacation in Maine, I asked a native of the state what her favorite Maine small town is. She lives in Blue Hill and works in Castine, two quaint and beautiful towns. I was a little surprised when … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, 20th century, industry, transportation | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Charles Lindbergh of Little Falls, Minnesota

Posted on June 4, 2016 by

Charles Lindbergh has loomed large in my life for fifteen years now. I somehow keep working at museums that tell his story and either display his plane the Spirit of St. Louis or a replica of it. So when in the vicinity of … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, house, transportation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Alex Rasic: My favorite history site

Posted on May 16, 2016 by

Alex Rasic is Director of Public Programs at the Homestead Museum in City of Industry, near Los Angeles, California. If you had to choose one or two favorite historic sites, which ones are they and what about them interested you? … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, military, national park, Our favorite sites | Leave a comment

Bits from the books… impress your friends with fun bits of history trivia

Posted on December 20, 2015 by

Bits from the books… impress your friends at holiday parties with fun bits of history trivia –  there is plenty more in my books. Here are 11 favorites. 1 Top General of the American Revolution, First President of the United … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 19th century, 20th century | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

First Flight Around the World, finalist for nonfiction award

Posted on December 4, 2015 by

I’m honored that my recent book First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race has been named a finalist for the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. Few people know about this 1924 Army Air Service … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, International, military | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A ride on the Belle

Posted on October 9, 2015 by

I’m guessing that deep down most history lovers crave occasional moments where they feel they’ve stepped into a time machine. I think reenactors call it a history rush. So when you give several hundred history geeks (the ones that get paid … Continue reading →

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Paradise, an historic inn

Posted on September 12, 2015 by

“You must book a room at the Paradise Inn!” said my friend Jay when I told him I was going to Mt. Rainier National Park. For years I had wanted to visit the park and every calendar I saw that … Continue reading →

Posted in 20th century, national park, tourism, West | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment