Chicago Summary 6-18-09

Thursday, June 18, 2009   Summary Post

As I sit at my computer and watch the setting sun going down behind the mountains, I am reflecting upon our trip to Chicago and Wisconsin trip last week.  Since our return, I have spent the last four days soaking up historiography, and at times actually find myself in a bit of a fog, thinking that Scott, Jonathan, or Matt, will be here soon to take our class, to some new and exciting destination in Chicago, Philly, or Boston.  Alas, those days are over, and just sitting in a classroom doesn’t quite fulfill the desire to see something that will be a “Wow!” moment, or to find something that I just can’t wait to try in my classroom, or see what is around the next corner.    (No offense Dr. Brady) I think this travel thing gets in the blood, and all you can think about is where are we going next?  What new things will we learn about?  I guess it is just that there is so much in the world to see, experience, and feel that makes life exciting and gives us those little smiley moments in our day.  Whether it is with our families, or as the case may be, our new CSU friends who become like family in many ways, while away from our loved ones.

The Lincoln museum was a treat!  Upon entering the museum we saw figures representing Abraham Lincoln as a boy, sitting in front of his log cabin.  Then there were statues of Abe, Mary, and the boys welcoming us to the White House.  Inside the White House, Mary was standing in her lovely gown, while her seamstress finished getting her into her outfit.  Who could forget the scene of Mary mourning the death of her son, while in her rocking chair as the rain poured, or the heavy black curtains and white flowers and lilies at Lincoln’s casket?  What about the state of the Ghost of History Past presentation?  As a mother of a new marine, my heart was filled with pride and anxiousness.  Walking through Lincoln’s home was amazing.  To think that we were walking in the house that he and his family lived in.  To touch his desk – wow!

Dr. Sarah Marcus was spellbinding in her introduction to Chicago.  I found her lecture very interesting, especially when she compared the Chicago fire to the fire that happened on the same day in another town and made comparisons between each.  Of course the famous Gino’s East pizza was in our dinner plans.  Chris, Dana, Melissa, and I walked to both Gino’s East pizza places – I’m sure we walked about 50 blocks.  After dinner, we wised up and took the bus back to the University Center.  The next day we bought transit passes which gave us unlimited access to subway, bus, and the elevated train for seven days.  Heaven!

I enjoyed seeing the Frank Lloyd Wright museum and how his style evolved over time.  I remember seeing a house of his in California many years ago and not really getting what the big deal was over his work.  This time, I could see the way he used light, floating roofs, octagons, etc.  I’m really glad we were able to go on this tour.

Dr. Adelman was very informative about Chicago History and the labor movement.  Pullman was nice and going into the factory building was really cool.  Thanks Eileen!  The Museum of Science and Industry was great.  That building was incredible and it was fun to imagine all of those people arriving by boat and then getting onto the moving sidewalk entering the 1893 World’s Fair.  I can just imagine their awe at the sight of such wonderful buildings.

I really enjoyed Hull House and learning about what Jane Addams’ work was about and what they are doing with the soup kitchen now.  Of course, the garden really caught my eye, but I think that for so many students growing your own vegetables that you only have to walk out your back door to retrieve is foreign.  Most students believe that everything comes from the grocery store and not realizing that much of our produce is shipped thousands of miles and that much of it can be done right in your own back yard.  I’m definitely going to start a school yard garden.  I’ve already spoken with my principal and she said she loved the idea, and to let her know what I needed.  Yes!

The Wisconsin Historical Society was awesome.  All of the lecturers were very interesting and so passionate about the Progressive Era.  Being able to go into the archives and to read and touch original documents was fascinating.  I took pictures of the Kine (sp?) photos which will be priceless to show my students.  This was definitely a highlight for me.

The Architectural Boat Tour was really cool – and I do mean cool in both meanings of the word.  I braved the elements and stood at the back of the boat for quite a bit of the tour and it was lovely, even in the pouring rain.  The guide was a brave soul and soo informative.  I was able to take some really gorgeous pictures of  Chicago.

At the beginning of each year, my students become “my kids”.  Each year, I can’t wait to take my students on as many field trips as I can convince parents to pay for.  All seven of the ones we went on this year were history based, and I had parents comment, that when their child comes home excited about what they have learned, that is when the parents get excited.  My students always say, “Oh Mrs. Ward, THIS IS THE BEST FIELD TRIP EVER!” (It seems that whatever trip we are on becomes the BEST.)   It is so rewarding to see their eyes gleam with excitement, and to hear the delight in their voices, or when I can’t seem to get them to leave my classroom to go to their next class, because they just have something else to say or ask.  The knowledge that is gained when visiting a site gives all of the teachers so much more credibility when teaching it.  Often my students say, “Wow, you have been everywhere!”  And “You know everything!”  Ha!  The students get so excited about history and that makes scheduling the visit, transportation, permission slips, and creative financing worthwhile.   I know that these trips take so much time to plan and organize and I they are so invaluable to teachers.  Because of my experiences with the grant, my students become more aware of the world around them, and hopefully they gain a desire to see what is around the next corner.  Our professors have done that for us.  There is no way I can express how much these classes and the work that has been done on our behalf has impacted my teaching, and the teachers who have been on the grant the past three years.  Over time and through class discussions, I have noticed a huge change in the historical knowledge that each one of us has gained over the past few years.  We have become more informed, better writers, and certainly more effective teachers since taking the grant classes.  Thanks to Chip Brady we have learned what DBQ’s are and how to use them.  (Boy, I sure could use those Mini-Q’s!)

This was my third year to travel with the History grant and I have met some of the most wonderful people.  I know this blog is long, but it seems with each trip, I get to know at least one person more in depth.  These trips are priceless, in education, experience, and collaborating with other teachers.   I can’t say enough about what a great trip Chicago was.  As educators we really do make a lasting difference in shaping and molding the hearts and minds of young Americans.  A hundred years from now, what we have done will really matter.  Thanks again, Scott, Jonathan, and Matt. Well done.

Haymarket and Pullman

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Today Dr. Adelman was our tour guide, and I was pleased to see that he was extremely informative and passionate about the subject matter.  He certainly knew how to keep a group listening to the presented material.   On this lovely rainy morning we visited the Haymarket Square statue at the site of the bombing.  The statues had no faces to reflect ethnicity, and the men who were rebuilding the wagon, were symbolizing the rebuilding of free speech.  It was somewhat sad to think of all the lives that were ripped a part by the hanging of these men who stood for what they believed, and in the course of history the labor movement was born because of their sacrifice.    Viewing the area behind the court house where the gallows once stood, was a moment that even this evening I reflect upon.  I think of these husbands who were hung and two of their wives who were thrown naked in jail with their children.   They were not even allowed to say goodbye to their husbands.

The mural at Teamster City was very interesting.  My father worked for Ford Motor Company for 40 years and he was extremely supportive of the union and proud of the company he worked for.

Next, we went to the cemetery and put red roses on the grave of the martyrs, Lucy Parsons, and some others. Chris pointed out that the tree that was beside Emma Goldman’s grave (who was of Russian descent) grave had a red piece of fabric pinned onto the trunk.  I thought that quite symbolic and recently placed.  Pretty cool!

In honor of Jourgis the main character in the Jungle, we headed to a delightful little Lithuanian restaurant.  Matt talked me into ordering the vegetarian dish, (thank you, thank you) which was an extremely yummy meal of cheese dumplings, fried potato cakes, broccoli, squash, potatoes, and green beans.  Very tasty.  The chicken noodle soup and the sour kraut soup were excellent.  I think you would like the sour kraut soup only if you like sour kraut, which I do.  The food and atmosphere was homey and the waitresses were very pleasant.  I was glad to have eaten the veggie meal after we went to the Stockyard gate to take pictures, as my nose was assailed by the heavy smell of the kosher meatpacking plants nearby.  Ug!  I can’t even imagine how bad it would have smelled at the height of the industry.  I really liked the comment that Upton Sinclair made about his book the Jungle – “I aimed at the public’s heart and by accident hit its stomach.”  Not only did he hit the stomach, he hit the public conscience regarding the terrible conditions that immigrants faced in their jobs and in their private lives, while trying to make a better life for themselves in America.  It is good that women like Jane Addams and her friends, were willing to work toward making better lives possible for these people.

Our guide then took us to the Pullman area of Chicago.  It seemed that George Pullman created his own little kingdom in Pullman – homes for the foreman’s, workers, doctor’s etc.  It also seemed that making money seemed to be the motivation for all of this.   What a treat to be able to tour the actual Pullman factory.  (Thank you Eileen) If they ever get the money to restore those buildings, I think that would be a money maker for the town.  The Florence Hotel, named after Pullman’s daughter, was fun to go through.  All of the pictures that I took and this experience will certainly benefit my students when I teach this subject.

After returning to our hotel Melissa, Dana, and I walked down to Grant and Millennium Park.    We saw Buckingham fountain and had a great time wondering through the urban gardens in the park and listening to the Blues Festival.  We had a great time.

Lesson Plan

I am planning on doing my lesson plan on gardens, school yard gardens, victory gardens, and current gardens like the one that Michelle recently planted on the White House lawn. I would like to show how they have been used throughout history, as well, as gather more information about heirloom seeds and use the Hull House as one example of urban gardens and its contribution to society. I will have my students create a school yard garden as most of them haven’t been to a farm or planted a garden. I think this will be a fun and informative lesson plan. Sherri

Friday, June 12, 2009 – Wisconsin

Friday, June 12, 2009

We boarded the bus bound for Wisconsin, EARLY at 5:50 a.m., and it was soooo worth it!  The state is green and lush, filled with various kinds of farms.  We were at the Wisconsin Historical Society and had an informative lecture and tour.  I really enjoyed seeing many of the artifacts in that museum.  The one I especially remember is Lincoln’s shawl that Mary Lincoln had given to Dr. Abbott which, he handed down through the family until his grandson donated it to the museum.  Another artifact that intrigued me was a slave collar that was used to keep the slaves from moving their neck and heads.

Jonothan kindly bought Amy fried cheese curds a specialty in Wisconsin, which she had been longing for..  I have to say I tried some Wisconsin cheese in a shop and it was fabulous. Amy bought cheese curds that were not fried and they were okay.  She said they should squeak to be really good.  Mine did not squeak.

Lunch was held at the Great Dane’s outdoor patio restaurant.  The restaurant was packed with patrons and the atmosphere was most cheery, with vines and greenery all around.  The meal was so amazing, We had artichoke, and a beer battered bread appetizer, a huge salad, I had peanut stew, and drinks.  It was a beautiful afternoon, and so enjoyable.

Next, we headed to the University of Wisconsin, (Jonothan’s graduate alma mater), and Jonothan Pollack did his best to keep us all awake, after that huge meal. He spoke on immigration and had copies of various naturalization papers, in order to show how  requirements changed over the years to become a United States citizen.  I will make copies of those handouts and use with my students next year and discuss them.

One of the most favorite parts of the day was going upstairs to look at the primary documents.  I looked at some of the Parsons papers regarding the Haymarket tradgedy, and then got absorbed in the 1905-1940’s pictures, as well as some of the mid-1800’s photo’s.  Dr. Miller was kind of enough to let us photograph the items, even though they don’t typically allow that.  I will show these photo’s to my students, I think they will find them extremely interesting, especially when we study this era.  We were also introduced to some University of Wisconsin websites that will be valuable for research.

Then Stan Shultz lectured.  He was an incredibly informed man, and gave such a wonderful and passionate presentation of the progressive era.

Lastly, the group headed over to eat and sit by Lake Minona (sp?).  It was Friday evening and the brew was flowing.  I was somewhat surprised having attended a Midwest Baptist College, I had never seen that atmosphere at an educational institution.  New for me!  Scott, Dana, and I went on a short walk along the water then headed back to bus to end a wonderful day – and yes Jonothan it was worth getting up at 5:00 a.m., for.  Thank you, very very much.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Thursday, June 11, 2009

We answered a 7:30 a.m., bus call to be whisked away by our friendly Ukrainian bus driver Alex. He dropped us off at the Jane Addams Hull House Museum, where we were treated to a tour.  The guide explained that Jane Addams was independently wealthy and felt there was much suffering in the world and set out to do as much as she could to eliminate and fight for rights of the oppressed.  She lived and worked out of her beautiful home, set in a neighborhood that she wanted to help.  She and her friends set out to do just this.  By the time she was twenty-seven she had gone through her inheritance and relied on generous donors to fund Hull House.  She went on to fight for immigration rights, women’s rights, health, safety and housing rights, arts education, labor rights, and was an advocate in general for social change.

The part of the Hull House tour that thrilled me, was the organic garden tour.  Like Princeton Elementary and the Amish that we saw last year, I was once again impressed that gardening is a worthwhile pursuit.  I remember catching just a glimpse of Jonathan’s old elementary school and noticing that they had begun vegetable beds on their school grounds, and of course when we went to the Amish home last June for dinner, I was impressed by the family’s reliance on their garden.  Also, on the Boston trip we went to view the Victory gardens and I fell in love with them.  So, for a couple of years, school yard gardening has been in the back of my mind, and when I saw the Hull House gardens I became excited and determined to do this at Pueblo West Elementary.   I am really interested in this project, as I asked my students this year how many had been to a farm and about three students raised their hands.  Oh my gosh!  So, I thought why not bring the garden to the classroom and have students work it.  How fun!  I can incorporate history – the heirloom seeds, victory gardens, Michelle O’Bama’s new garden, science, math, and of course reading.  This could be a really cool project.  Hopefully, I can talk my Principal into using some area of land for this venture.   While we were at the garden some teachers (thank you Dana and Chris) picked lettuce and broccoli for our lunch salad alongside mushroom soup, and rolls.  The Hull House does a soup kitchen meal once a week and we were able to experience that today for our lunch.   It was very tasty!

The boat tour on the Chicago River was very nice.  It was rainy and cold but I did manage to stand outside for awhile, and soak up the architecture that our docent was so nicely describing.  I think I got some beautiful pictures and will hopefully get today’s blog done and posted, so we can do something this evening.  It seems the weather makes everyone tired and lethargic.   It has been a nice day of touring although a bit damp.

Frank Lloyd Wright Tour and Science and Industry Museum

 

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

      We took off at 8:15 on the Ex-Obama bus and head for Frank Lloyd Wright’s studio.  I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy this tour and explanation of his work.  About 20 years ago, I had visited a house of his in California and didn’t really see what all the hoopla was about.  Today however, I saw the way he integrated light, octagons, rectangles, leaded glass, and nature into his work. In class when we talk about the Progressive Era, I will use pictures of the Queen Anne style homes and compare them to the Wright homes.  The neighborhoods were absolutely delightful and the gardens were charming.  Our guide Gert was quite a funny lady and a joy to spend time with. 

 

     Our next stop was at the Museum of Science and Industry.  I sure could have used more time at this museum.  It was fun to think of the 27,000,000 people who attended the World’s Fair and most likely visited the building we were standing next too.  The museum is beyond beautiful and the work and effort that went into all of those buildings, was incredible.  I did buy a video of the fair, that I will show when we get to the Chicago World’s Fair in our class.  Hopefully, it will give them some idea of all the new ideas that were brought forth because of the Fair.  According to our lecturer the Chicago World’s Fair was called to rival the 1889 Paris Fair and to celebrate the 400^th anniversary of Columbus’ arrival to the New World in 1492.  The job of creating the Fair was originally given to New York, then taken back and put out for bid.  Chicago won.  It was then called the “Windy City” because politicians had lobbied so hard to get the Fair in Chicago.  They were out to prove that Chicago had recovered from the fire and that America could put on a better show than Europe.  It was called the White City because the buildings were made of plaster of paris, horse hair, and cement, then spray painted white.   The buildings looked old on the outside but were new and up to date on the inside.  What a ton of work for something that might last a few years!  Whew!  The Fair opened in 1893 and new ideas from all over the world, such as moving sidewalks at 10 cents a ride.  You could choose to ride the sidewalk at three miles per hour or six miles per hour – some people choosing to ride and eat their lunch at the slower pace.  Also introduced was electricity, postcards, cracker jacks Aunt Jemima pancake mix, cream of wheat, the hamburger from Germany, and carbonated beverages were on display.  George Ferris made the Ferris wheel and it was so large and scary to people that George had to put his wife on it and show them that they wouldn’t get hurt.  They figured since he was willing to put his wife on it, it must be safe.  

 

 

         We did see the Harry Potter exhibit, which was delightful. 

Harry Potter Car

     For dinner tonight we tried Giordano’s Chicago pizza and really enjoyed that.  Then we took the el train to the library and saw the Lincoln exhibit upstairs.  Lincoln memorabilia never fails to move me.  It was a very full day and I’m exhausted!

DBQ’s and Walking Tour of Old Chicago Neighborhoods

| View Show | Create Your Own

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Well, it was a rainy, gray day here.  This morning we took the bus back to the Chicago History Museum, and listened to Chip Brady give us a refresher course on DBQ lesson plans.  I would LOVE to get the Mini Q’s, but alas that is not going to happen.  Perhaps another time.  I hope to have more time with my students this year to slow down just a bit and introduce DBQ’s on various history lessons.  I was thinking since history is usually at a higher reading level, that I might teach a DBQ during a reading block, and incorporate the analytical thinking, and writing pieces during that time.  There is always so much to get in, and not enough time.  Cool stuff!

Next we went on a walking tour of some old Chicago neighborhoods.  Our guide “Dick” took us all around and showed us beautiful old homes with beautiful gardens.  I have to say some of these little homes were about $1,000.000.  I can’t even imagine what the larger homes were.  We went to St. Michael’s church which was burned in the fire.  Apparently, the majority of the shell remained standing and it was refurbished within a year and three days.  Many older movies were filmed in this area and one more recent filmed was the movie with Helen Hunt and Mel Gibson called, “What Women Want”.  I will use the pictures that I took, to show my students pictures of old Chicago homes that would have been standing around the time of the fire.

My group then went back to University Center to catch up on blogging, laundry, picture taking etc.  Apparently, some are going to the comedy show at the Second City, some are going to Sears Tower, or to Navy Pier. I think I will play catch up, so I can go do something else this evening.  I hope everyone is having a great time!

Chicago History Museum – Monday, June 8, 2009

| View Show | Create Your Own

Monday, June 8, 2009

Today we headed to the Chicago History Museum via our first Chicago Subway ride, after buying a $23 pass at CVS Pharmacy. The ride was uneventful and we made it to our class with our lecturers Dr. Sarah Marcus and Heidi Moisan. Dr. Marcus lectured on Chicago’s history discussing why a unlikely city, like Chicago would become a metropolis. One reason was that there was a constant waterway here and large wealthy speculators bought land and wanted to see it make a profit for them. They were able to get the federal government to spend approximately $250,000 on improving the mouth of the Chicago River where Fort Dearborn stood. The Illinois and Michigan Canal was a major permanent waterway that opened in 1848, as well as the first railroad came into Chicago. Then Chicago became a major hub. Within three years the population grew from 150 to 5000 people. By 1870 there were 300,000 people who needed a place to live, and since lumber was abundant in Wisconsin and Michigan it was cut and floated down to Lake Michigan and everything was built from wood. For example, sidewalks, houses, etc. Fire danger was always prevalent and Chicago had a paid fireman staff before New York. During the fire of October 7, 1871, it was said that Katherine O’Leary’s cow kicked a lantern, but it may have been some boys who were doing something they shouldn’t have been who in their haste to put things away, knocked over the lantern. Regardless, of how the fire started the firemen went to the wrong address, and by the time they arrived the fire had been burning about 45 minutes. It burned the slick spots on the river and eventually jumped to the other side. Trees exploded, limestone and iron melted. When the fire had burned about 36 hours, it ran out of fuel in Fullerton. About 2000 acres burned and 300 people were killed. 100,000 people were homeless. Mrs. O’Leary was cleared of any wrong doing regarding the fire, but some people expressed anti-Irish or immigrant sentiments, by continuing to blame her for the fire. Dr. Marcus spoke of another town Peshitigo, Wisconsin where a fire broke out and then she asked questions about why Chicago would be the city that is remembered for the great fire rather than Peshitigo. I thought this was a cool exercise and would be great to do in class. Some reasons were: There was not water in Peshtigo, speculators wanted to get Chicago back on its feet to retain their investment etc.

Dana and I found the long sought after Lincoln hands at the gift shop at this museum and were happy to purchase them. I will never forget when Dr. Heidler brought his to our classroom during our Lincoln class, and passed it around. It was so cool! Now I will have this artifact to show in my classroom. Hopefully, it will bring Mr. Lincoln alive to these students as well.

| View Show | Create Your Own

I really enjoyed the website that Heidi Moisan showed us regarding Chicago history (www.chicagohistory.org). This is sooo cool and will be great to use with my students. Reading artifacts was also fun, as I love collecting antiques and enjoy looking for them at yard sales. It is amazing what you can find.

After viewing the museum and seeing the bed that Lincoln died in, some of us went to Navy Pier. Melissa, Kelli Jo and I rode the huge ferris wheel and at Billy Goat Tavern and Grill which was on Saturday night live long ago. That was the cheapest and tastiest meal I have had the entire time here. While we were on the pier, the clouds suddenly opened up and rained on us. The next thing we knew a beautiful rainbow appeared to be going into Lake Michigan. It was beautiful and special meaning for a couple of us. Great day!

June 7, 2009 – Art Institute of Chicago

Sunday, June 07, 2009

After spending most of the morning trying to get my blog posted with a picture, Dana, Chris, Amy, and I went out to a literature fair, then ended up eating at Bennigan’s before we met up with the rest of the group at the Art Institute of Chicago. Our guide took us to the American Art section and proceeded to give us information on various paintings and artists. One that I was particularly interested in was Thomas Cole’s painting based on the book, “The Last Mohicans”. Since I discuss a couple of other paintings by Cole in the year, I thought that during the French and Indian War section, I would introduce this painting on the promethean board. I would compare and contrast the book versus the story the painting tells. We will also discuss the painting, and how the movie departs from the book. Hawkeye doesn’t end up with the sister and she does have a soldier that she is in love with waiting for her. However, the other characters seem to pretty much follow the book and painting. I will also be point out how a popular book during this time period, made this painting popular. This is similar to books published today like Harry Potter.

One other section of the museum really caught my interest and that was the impressionist painters like Degas, Monet, and Renoir. I was very interested in these paintings, as I had seen others by these artists when I was living in Europe. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit to this museum. There were sooo many awesome items on display.

We stayed in the museum until about 4:00, then walked to Lake Michigan. We could see Shedd’s Aquarium and Navy Pier in the distance. The lake was full of bobbing sail boats, and it got cold in the short time that we were down there. We took off walking to Geno’s Pizza East, and after about 20 blocks found one on Well’s street. We were informed that there was another Geno’s East Pizza on Michigan, which is where the other teachers were. We arrived just a few minutes after six o’clock, waited in line to be seated, ordered drinks, deep dish pizza, and salad. Then we waited about 45 minutes for this piping hot, delicious pizza to arrive. It was worth the walk and the wait. Our feet were throbbing but our tummies were warm and full. We decided to pay $2.25 and take the #146 bus back to Congress and State. While we were headed back to University Center, I was thankful that the group had decided to spend the money and ride the bus. We had walked a very long way. Upon arriving at the Center we requested warm blankets, (because we froze last night) and sat down to blog about the day.

Lincoln Home, State Capitol, and New Salem

Abraham and Mary Lincoln's home in Springfield

Saturday, June 6, 2009

This morning our group toured the Old Capitol in Springfield. On the Capitol grounds we walked amidst Civil War reenactors whose tents were up and the smell of burning wood wafted through the air. On the first floor of the Capitol building we were introduced to beautiful 1800’s dresses for the ladies. Yesterday, Kelli Jo was brave enough to ask one of the lady reenactors to show us her undergarments. I know that sounds weird, but many of us and especially our students don’t know how these ladies were able to wear these beautiful garments. So, it was very interesting to take pictures of each layer of clothing. First, she raised her hoops up so that we were able to see her pantaloons, then several layers of modesty clothing, the hoop, and then the dress. One woman showed us the removable sleeves with elastic at the top. Ladies wore these in order to be able to take them off and wash them separately from the rest of the clothing so that they would not have to wash every piece of their clothing. All of this was happening while a gentleman dressed in Civil War attire was hooting and hollering, More! More! Oh my gosh I’ve died and gone to heaven! He was so funny. It will be fun to show my students these pictures and discuss the dress of the time. I’m sitting with Dana Ferguson while I’m typing on the bus, and she says I can go to Williamsburg.com under kids games and students can dress the colonial women and men correctly. Cool!

All right back to the Capitol. One of the rooms we were in was one in which the men gathered and the docent was telling us that Lincoln would have most certainly been in this room telling wonderful stories, amongst the men. They were not always stories that women would be able to hear. At the end of our group, there was a black docent who was giving us wonderful information regarding Lincoln and various tidbits. He told us about a campaign poster that was sent to the capitol by a Mormon group and was put up on the wall about three weeks ago. He also showed us a picture of a young Ulysses S. Grant, and proceeded to tell us that he had been in trouble, with the army because of his drinking and a kind General had given him a chance to redeem himself by giving him a place to recruit soldiers behind the stairway. Eighteen years later he became President. What a great way to influence students who have been in trouble and to encourage them that they can work hard for a second chance to better themselves.

While upstairs we were able to see the area where Lincoln’s body was laid after returning to Springfield, after being killed by John Wilkes Booth. Pretty awesome.

Next, we went across the street to the Lincoln-Herndon Law offices and toured that building. We saw a desk that Lincoln used while working in this office and learned that he had a conversation with Herndon while President. They had some laughs together and remembered old times when they had worked together. As Lincoln was leaving he turned and told Herndon that when all of this was over he would return and they would practice together like they had before. Of course Lincoln’s life was cut short and that wasn’t to be. We were able to see some copies of letters that Lincoln wrote and heard a story about Herndon giving away various items that Lincoln signed because he was a kind man, thus so many of Lincoln’s items that are found every year. I’m an avid garage sailer and would loooove to find something like that.

We went to Abraham and Mary Lincoln’s house and there is something so cool about seeing the parlor that the Republican party representatives offered Lincoln the nomination in. The house had many of the original Lincoln furniture, including a shaving mirror that was very high to accommodate Lincoln’s height. The toys in the boys room was touching. I felt seeing that brought home to me that despite being a President, Lincoln was a husband and father first. Mary had a servant girl who worked alongside Mary. I think perhaps Mary has not been given enough credit for all that she has done to raise her family. No one can understand all the time and work that goes into running a household and keeping the home fires burning than women who have done that. I remember watching the likeness that the Presidential museum showed a likeness of Mary sitting in mourning and crying while it rained outside because of the death of her child. Such unbearable grief and then to be constantly criticized.

I thought a lesson that could be taught was as Lincoln furthered his education, his income increased, and he was able to provide more room by adding a second story, and other sections onto his house. The street he lived on was really quaint and beautiful. The barns were cool.

Lincoln’s tomb was moving. It seemed to be a bit much to have the body 10 ft below, covered with cement, all the way up to the marble floor, however I doubt they have to worry much about someone trying to steal his body in this day and age. I thought it a bit sad that Mary and the boys were buried away from Lincoln instead of closer by, but then again I’m probably being sentimental. The cemetery was beautiful with all the tall tress and greenery everywhere. I’m glad they stopped selling items at the tomb. That does seem to be disgraceful and insensitive,

To end the day, we went to New Salem where Lincoln lived as a young man, before moving to Springfield. The old log cabins were fun to see and the docents in period dress were interesting as well. One man was talking about the saying, “Throwing the baby out with the bath water.” He said that dad would take a bath first, mother, oldest child to the youngest. By the time the water got to the baby it was so dirty that you couldn’t see the baby and that is why they said don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. We also saw the sawmill, and discovered that the river had changed course and was no longer in operation due to moving away from the mill by 300 ft. Lincoln’s little town was very nice. However, no one had the casting of Lincoln’s hand to buy ANYWHERE! I think I’m going to have to buy it online.

Then we were off to a meal at Chevy’s fresh mex restaurant. The waitress made Dana, Chris, Amy and I fresh guacamole at the table. The scooped out the avocado, added pica de gallo, lime juice, garlic, oregano, and perhaps some other items I don’t remember, but it was delicious and a lovely end to a educational day.