While spending some time in Gettysburg over the Memorial Day Weekend, we checked out a few out-of-the-way spots along the Mason Dixon Line, searching for unique view related to the history of this old boundary. I’m always searching for images to enhance my public and classroom lectures on the Mason Dixon Line. Here are a…
Website for Real Time Marine Traffic on Delaware & Chesapeake Bays, and C & D Canal
While talking about the history of the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal during the Civil War at a meeting of the Fort Delaware Society last week, we discussed the website, www.marinetraffic.com. This open source initiative provides free, real-time information about ship movements so visitors are able to view marine traffic on the Delaware and Chesapeake bays…
Old Signs Reflect Past Times in Western Maryland
Whenever I’m on the road working in some new area, I enjoy looking for fading physical traces of the past. This curiosity about the dynamics of place makes my road trips much longer as I pause to explore a community, seeking to get some view of a bygone time. That was the case this week…
Serving on Board of Historic Hosanna School Museum
Several months ago, the Executive Director of the Historic Hosanna School Museum, Iris Barnes, invited me to serve on the board of the nonprofit. I had worked with the group on a Smithsonian oral history project as a pubic historian, so I was pleased to join this visionary organization. Its mission is to share the rich…