Tag Archives: MD

15 things you don’t know about the Star-Spangled Banner

Posted on June 14, 2020 by

    If you are American, chances are you know the words to the US national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner. It’s about a flag referred to by the same name. The song tells a story of an historic event. While … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, city/town, military, national park | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Star-Spangled is now available!

Posted on June 1, 2020 by

            “Grove provides a page-turning narrative that enhances the familiar aspects of this story and fills in those little-known areas… Generous archival illustrations and the rich and varied backmatter make this a boon for fledgling … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, city/town, International, military, national park | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Underneath a sheen of privilege

Posted on June 7, 2019 by

Homewood Museum, a large “country” home in Baltimore, was not on my radar. I’ve been to Baltimore many times and like visiting historic homes. One reason may be because it sits on the campus of John Hopkins University in the … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, house | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Their final resting places

Posted on May 27, 2019 by

In nonfiction set in the past, a character can best come to life through words he left behind or words his contemporaries spoke about him. When working with limited historical source materials, one of the writer’s challenges is to craft … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, cemetery/grave, military | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Tracking a Killer

Posted on April 17, 2019 by

A day shy of the 154th anniversary of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, I stood looking at the bucolic southern Maryland countryside, trees tinged with the bright green of early Spring. Staring at the simple white frame house surrounded … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Civil War, house, military, President | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

A historic inn on the Eastern Shore

Posted on July 2, 2018 by

I was standing on the roof in bright sun gazing at water on three sides. The view of the Chesapeake Bay was stunning and I could begin to imagine British warships approaching the property. Just over two hundred years ago, … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, agricultural, cemetery/grave, house, tourism | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

My break is over

Posted on June 23, 2018 by

Dear Readers, I’ve taken a long break from blogging to work on a new book. Star Spangled: The Story of a Flag, a Battle, and a Song, is due out next year and targets ages 10-14, but will be of … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, military, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

O, say can you see? Stories of a national anthem

Posted on August 29, 2014 by

On September 13 and 14 Americans will commemorate the bicentennial of the Battle of Baltimore, a mostly forgotten battle in U.S. history… except that it gave the United States its national anthem. The song is a stirring tribute of the battle by … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, city/town, fort, house, military, national park | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

The only bike race of its kind in the U.S.

Posted on August 18, 2014 by

Anyone who has read my book (A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History) knows of my past attempt to ride a high wheel bicycle. Imagine my glee when I heard about a high wheel race, the only one … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, city/town, transportation | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Think you know American history? You may be wrong.

Posted on July 3, 2014 by

In honor of American Independence Day, enjoy these 4 myths, as told in A Grizzly in the Mail and Other Adventures in American History 1)      Betsy Ross sewed the first flag. She sits with the Founding Fathers on the Fourth … Continue reading →

Posted in 18th century, 19th century, exploration, fort | Tagged , | 3 Comments