Recently I have been researching a deadly Delaware tragedy that spurred a vice president of the Pennsylvania Railroad to push for national safety transportation regulations. Following several accidents involving powerful explosives, including a catastrophic one in Greenwood, DE, the Bureau of Explosives was created under the American Railway Association. The Sussex County disaster occurred over…
Category: Research Methods
Observing the Memorial Arts and History in Old Cemeteries
Often when I visit an unfamiliar community for work or vacation, I will pause during my stay to visit the local cemetery. These old burial grounds are representative of the collective history of a place, and they provide fascinating insight into era and geographically specific cultural norms, artistic values, ethnic influences, and community history. A walk…
Presentation on Research and Writing About History
On the day the Digital Public Library of America opened its virtual doors to the public, I was in Havre de Grace to do a talk with author Heidi Glatfelter on “Researching and Writing about the War of 1812.” We took a team approach to the program as I focused on new methods of doing…
“If this Place Could Talk: Researching the History of an Old House” Examined in Talk at College of Southern Maryland
“If this Place Could Talk: Researching the History of an Old House” is a talk I am giving at the College of Southern Maryland on Oct 19, 2012. The free program takes place at the Leonardtown Campus, 22950 Hollywood Road, Building A, Auditorium, Leonardtown at 7:00 p.m. Just as families have a past, old houses and properties…