Lincoln – Springfield, Illinois

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Our group arrived at Midway airport in Chicago about 2:30, and we were transported by Obama’s 2007-2008 campaign bus and driver, to Springfield, Illinois.  The drive was approximately 3 hours, and we watched Cinderella Man on the way, compliments of Paula.  On the way to Springfield, we saw miles and miles of lush green vegetation, and fields filled with black, rich, dirt.  What a contrast to Pueblo, Colorado. The landscaping reminded me of my native Missouri.  We arrived at the Hilton in Springfield and headed to our individual rooms for the evening.  I chose to spend my evening working out in the swimming pool.  It was kind of lonely, as I am not use to not having family or someone around.

Friday, June 05, 2009

This morning I awoke eager to begin the day in Abraham Lincoln’s hometown.  Our group began our morning at 8:00 a.m., at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library.  Erin Bishop, Director of Education Division, gave each of us a packet with lots of posters and websites that will be extremely useful for the classroom.  I was very excited about being able to use the Lincoln’s Legacy CD with Lesson plans and teacher resources.  I thought the Source Identification activity that we did in which, we had to identify what items were primary, secondary, and sometimes both sources was very useful.  I will use that this fall when I explain to my students what primary sources are.  The other activity that was really cool was the one where the teachers looked at a painting from the 1930’s, and then had to figure out what it was about, based on the picture, and take into account possible biases of the painter.  That would be another good activity that will be extremely cool.  Some of the Lincoln websites that we were introduced to were very informative and will make research easy.    The Who Said It, worksheet will be useful when showing that over time, people like Abraham Lincoln evolve and change their minds regarding various issues, as they learn, and evolve.

Another activity that we did was to have students volunteer to go to the whiteboards with a question written on each.  I totally agree or I totally disagree, with no middle ground.  Approximately, five students (usually the talkers) will go up and move to which ever side of the room that they agreed with.  This leaves the students who are not typically the talkers to answer the questions that the talkers typically answer.  Questions like, did Lincoln believe blacks and whites were equal?  Was Lincoln an abolitionist, a racist? Then those students who are sitting, had to explained why they agreed or disagreed.

Did Lincoln really free anybody with the Emancipation Proclamation?   seems that some felt that the Proclamation didn’t apply to any slaves except in the rebellion states.  The border states were not included and the north didn’t have slavery, so who did he free?

I loved the activity where we read the letters between Lincoln and his ½ brother John Johnston.  I think that is quite a lesson that students could learn from where Lincoln is basically telling his brother to get off of his duff and WORK!!!!!

The Poetry lesson would be a great group activity for my students next year, in which, they look at a picture and come up with five different words to describe it, then each student lays those words down beside the picture and look to find the different words describing the picture.

The reading of the Gettysburg Address as students join in the words that they found most important was soooo cool.  I will definitely have my classes do that this fall.

Lunch was at the Tealicious restaurant.

Later Bryan Andreasen, Research Historian, showed our class how he developed a historical panel about the Lincoln Douglas debates.  This gave me information that will cause me to be more intested in the work that goes into the panels.  It was interesting that Douglas spent $50,000 versus Lincoln’s $1,000.

Of course, that brings me to the Lincoln Museum which was sooo incredible.  Walking into the library to find the Lincoln family greeting us in their bronze forms was pretty cool.  Also, seeing young Abe at his log cabin, then reading by the fire with the dog snoring by his side and family members sleeping on the bed with the trundle bed underneath, was quaint.  I thought the Ghost movie was fabulous.  I couldn’t help but think of my own 19 year old son who is in the marines and has the same desire to serve his country that the soldier in this movie did, and how he did not come back home.  I couldn’t help but compare these two young men.  I’m sure his mother felt the sacrifice as I feel the same possible future for my own son, and pray with heartfelt attitude that I my son Jordan, will not be called to the same fate as this young soldier.  At the same time I am filled with incredible gratitude and thanks that these soldiers feel a need to serve their country.

The next movie and the technology used is top notch and so moving.

Sin in the Second City

Sherri Ward

History 591 – Chicago Trip

Professors Rees and Harris

Sin in the Second City

By Karen Abbott

In Sin in the Second City, Karen Abbot gives a vivid description of life in the red light district of Chicago, at the turn of the 19^th century. Abbot gives the reader background description about two sisters Minna and Ada Sims who change their last names to Everleigh, a play on words ever-lay. These two sisters leave their homes, and possibly abusive husbands to begin a brothel business in Omaha, Nebraska. The sisters enjoy their success in Omaha, and then decide to start a brothel in Chicago. The girls take a train to Chicago, find a house, interview and hire pretty girls, and begin an upscale brothel business. In this book Abbott shows how women in the twentieth century were beginning to look for ways to get away from the drudgery of living on a farm, marriage, and raising a family. Men were looking for successful jobs in Chicago’s labor force outside of the family farm, and had to learn to accommodate women in the work force.

A vibrant sex trade had been going on in Chicago since the Civil War. The city was filled with bordello’s that were low class and base. Alcohol, gambling, and much crime inhabited the streets of Chicago. The sisters wanted to make Chicago famous worldwide, for the high standards that they would bring to the city with their business. They worked hard to establish a business that was titillating and inviting. The sisters sought out the protection of men who were the crime bosses, and looked the other way when white slave trade was going on.

Many girls went into the courtesan business because their mothers were in it and they learned about it at a young age, others found it was a quick easy way to make money. Some came from Europe to find their fortune. It was reported by newspaper that white slavery was happening at the Everleigh home and young women were being promised work as milliners and then forced into prostitution to support themselves.

The sisters found that many people were against them, especially others in the business like Vic Shaw. Vic Shaw was another madam, who hired Pony Shaw to frame Minna for the murder of Marshall Field Jr. Fortunately, MInna had police officers who she trusted to help expose the plot.

Albert Bell, started a mission to crusade against the evils of the Custom Place and the Levee district in Chicago. He targeted the Everleigh sisters business in particular. Bell and his followers were able to get the Custom Place closed. Men like Hinky Dink and Bathhouse John were not going to let that happen to their business investments, especially the Everleigh house. They were on the city council and worked to sway votes that would benefit their business.

Reverend Bell’s main tactic was to get people to understand that the women who worked at the Everleigh club were victims, and he hoped to be able to turn the tide of public opinion against them, by getting supporters to actively participate in trying to close down this establishment. Bell worked for years to bring down the activities of the Red Light District, despite being pelted with eggs, death threats, and rocks being thrown at him. Bell told the story of a girl named Agnes and how Madam Panzy Williams would not release her to her parents because she owed $20 for clothes. The police were called and the Madame released her. He had stories published of women like Mona Marshall, and Adeline MacDonald, who were talked into going with a good looking man, drugged, raped, and dropped off at a bordello where she was sold into white slavery. The main crux of Bell’s work was to abolish what he called white slavery. Bell felt that white slavery was even worse than what the blacks endured during their time of slavery. Bell even brought told of the women who immigrated to America and ended up as a prostitute, by design or out of necessity. Bell made sure that he brought copies of the Criminal Code of Illinois to inform the madams that it was a crime to hold a woman against her will in their house. Eventually, Bell wrote a book that became a bestseller. He earned a fortune and parents learned about the possible future that awaited their daughter if they chose to go off to the big city. The Everleigh sisters allowed Bell to pass out religious and sexually transmitted disease pamphlets, however it is not known if any were swayed to stop their line of business by this material.

Clifford Roe was a lawyer who worked in the Mona Marshall case to convict those involved with her abduction. He was relentless in his pursuit of those who were involved with looking the other way, while young girls were being used and abused. In 1907 convictions of those found guilty of pandering were becoming more frequent, an average of one a week. The Chief of Police McMann was found guilty of conspiracy and the local government seemed determined to shut down the houses of ill repute. The Everleigh sisters took a trip to Europe just to get away from the pressure. While they were gone the crime, opium dens, nickel and dollar brothels became more prevalent. However, judges like Judge Newcomer began to sentence and fine men and women found guilty of criminal misconduct.

The Illinois House was the first to pass a white anti-slavery bill, which was to be signed by Governor Deneen right away. By 1909 the famous First Ward Ball was no longer a bawdy success. The madams and crime bosses had been scared away by the law, suffrage movement, and prosecution of the leaders of bathhouse’s, madams, and government officials who were actively involved or looked the other way.

On December 6, Congressman James R. Mann, introduced a bill the White Slave Act, which activated a new bureau called the Bureau of Investigation. President Taft agreed with this bill and allocated $50,000 dollars to hire special inspectors against recruiting immigrants, entering the country for the purpose of prostitution. On June 25, 1910, the White Slave Act was signed into law and the Everleigh Club was closed. Once again, men became the protectors of the weaker sex.

The Jungle

Sherri Ward

History 591 – Chicago

Professors Rees and Harris

The Jungle

By Upton Sinclair

Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle renders itself more effective as a work of fiction because the masses can identify with the fictional characters that Sinclair creates. At the beginning of this story Sinclair tells us about a couple Ona and Jurgis who immigrated to Chicago and have waited to get married for some time, because of finances, and the reader enters on their big day. The couple lives in Packingtown and is having their wedding party and their guests are having a good time. There is food and drink for all. However, the expectation is that money will be given to the bride and groom so that they can begin their lives with money in hand. If the couple does not receive enough money, they may not even be able to pay for the reception. Jurgis vows that he will have to work harder to provide for his new bride. The couple works in the stockyards of Chicago at the meat packing plant. Marija is Ona’s cousin who virtually runs the wedding to make sure that things are done correctly. The elderly feel that they need to keep old traditions and the younger set want to do their own thing. A wedding day is just another day as the bride and groom are not able to take a day off and many do not feel that tomorrow will bring better things to them due to the saloon keepers who cheat them and the family is willing to accept it because the saloon keepers have government connections that will go against them if they complain. The groom is described as a hunted animal. Jurgis may work harder but that may not bring him the success that he longs to have in this new land. In fact, it seems that the immigrants may have been happier in the land they left, in hope for a new and better life. There are those who get richer because of the work of the poor.

Jurgis finds a job at a meat factory and begins by shoveling guts from the meat floor. He is taken on a tour of a hog factory in which every part of the hog is used. The beef factory also uses every part of the animal. Sinclair goes into detail about the killing of a hog and how repulsive working in a meat factory is. Sinclair compares the killing of hogs to the life of people working in the factory. Despite the ugly work Jurgis believes that America will fulfill his dreams. Jurgis is thankful to have a job and really doesn’t understand why others are not grateful as well. He is approached to join the union but does not want to spend the money as it seems a waste to him. Jurgis finds that in order to be stable economically, he has to buy into illegal practices which he abhors. Grandmother Majauskie immigrated and worked hard in order to pay for her home. However, she has been in the neighborhood for many years and has seen many immigrants come and go. Most were not successful in their quest for the American dream. The house prices are raised three times as what it cost to build them.

This book reaches the point where life seems to only get tougher financially. Everyone is sick and when Dede Antanas dies, there is no money to pay for the burial. Many men are turning to alcohol to bury their disappointment in the bottle and women turn to prostitution. The wedding should have been a joyful time but throws Jurgis and Ona further into debt. The old like Dede Antanas dies and the young who should not be working like Stanislov are emotionally spent.

Jurgis is eventually persuaded to join the union and becomes quite active in it. He convinces other family members to join as well. Jurgis’ work is cut back but he still has to report in the morning when work begins at noon. He only gets paid for the hours worked and actively begins working against his company for the union. Tamoszius and Marja decide to get married but she loses her job at the canning factory, due to union activity. Not only is the employer corrupt, but so are the government officials. The rich in America as in Lithuania are always the winners.

Ona takes a job as a meat trimmer. She only earns ½ of the salary that the man in that position before her made. She finds out that her boss runs a brothel, in which many of the prostitutes take over the jobs of young women. Ona gives birth to a son, and must return to work within a week, in order to keep her job. She and Jurgis are unable to enjoy being parents because they are always working on the killing floor. This parallels the killing of the animals but the killing of their lives through capitalism.

In the spring Jurgis is able to work but has lost his job due to hurting his leg and long absence. He is no longer young and desirable to employers. Ona is not doing well physically or mentally, due to the financial pressure. Elzbieta finds work as a sausage worker, which enables her rebellious boys to go back to school in hopes of a better future. Both of them do a job that is distasteful to them in order to provide what they hope will be a better life to their children. They are compared as animals in cages. Eventually, Jurgis takes up drinking to escape, blaming marriage and sex for his woes. Ona becomes anxious and overly worried. She accepts her boss Conner’s’ offer of prostitution and Jurgis is arrested for trying to kill him. Jurgis’ behavior likens him as a beast for his behavior against Conner. Jurgis is arrested and sits in jail believing that Ona and the family will lose the house. He now begins to believe that America is an unjust society and that capitalism works against the worker. The American dream no longer seems to be attainable. The judge is bought off at Jurgis’s trial and the judge does not care that this will send him into ruin. All of the children are forced to work and a life of crime begins to appeal to Jurgis. Marja becomes injured and falls into a life of prostitution. This family never seems to get ahead and no matter what they do they are not able to become successful in this new world. In the end, it seems that the only hope is that the children will have an easier life because of the work that Jurgis has done in the revolution to organize workers to become members of the union.

Death in the Haymarket

Death in the Haymarket

By James Green

James Green’s book Death in the Haymarket relates the story about the bombing that took place at the Haymarket that killed police, and three protestors at a rally where workers were meeting on May 4, 1886. This story occurs 21 years after the death of President Lincoln. In 1865 there were those who believed that the free market was successful over the slavery system. Unions were not common or lasting before 1860. There were various reasons workers wanted unions one of which was to shorten the work day to ten hours. This movement was started in the 1835, by carpenters and women textile workers, but when men left for the war, the union movement slowed. In 1863, William Sylvis became the president of the Molder’s union and by 1865 he was able to persuade foundry owners to hire only those who held a union membership card. After the Civil War ended, the molders union seemed to be strong. Despite their strength there was opposition, by some employers who did not want employees demanding more wages and certainly not less hours. These employers locked out their employees or broke strikes.

Andrew C. Cameron immigrated from Scotland as a printer’s apprentice, worked under the Chartist movement, asked questions and believed production must be useful not just profitable. Cameron and Sylvis agreed that with the death of Lincoln, it would be difficult for labor and capital to be equal. These men felt that a new war was coming between employers and the workers. In 1866 these two men founded the National Labor Union. With the publication of the Workingman’s Advocate which Cameron was the editor, they were able to lobby heavily for an eight hour work day. Activists convinced enough Democrats and Republicans to vote for a bill giving workers an eight hour day on March 2, 1867. This was their first victory. Illinois Governor Richard J. Oglesby was a friend of Lincoln’s and rejoiced with a group of rejoicing workers at a lakefront rally. In Chicago, it was thought that a man could begin poor, work hard, become rich and successful. However, this would require not only the government but employers to be in agreement with the eight hour day.

Chicago became the destination for all types of people like, farm boys, Canadians, Europeans, soldiers, and many more who came to Chicago to find their fortunes. There was work here with the meat packing industry, lumber, factories, mills, etc. Chicago was the place to be. The influx of Europeans helped double Chicago’s population in the 1860’s. Houses and sidewalks were cheaply made from pine, and wages were good for employees.

On May 2, 1867 employers refused to obey the new law and required employees to work the 10-11 hour day. Workers striked closing shops and Governor Olgelsby viewed the activity of employees as peaceful. However, Mayor Rice ordered the Dearborn Light artillery to assist the police. By May 8, the strike was broken and the men had to return to the 10-11 hour workday. There was much protest to state government officials, but to no avail. Cameron decided to use this experience to learn from and lobby the federal government Washington on the workers behalf. On June 25, 1868 Congress passed a eight hour work day law for employees and laborers of the federal government. However, Washington officials would not enforce the eight-hour law for federal mechanics and cheated workers on their pay.

By the 1870’s the Gilded Age arrived in Chicago. Businessman made large fortunes, public officials were corrupt, the public was exploited, and there was much crime in the city. By 1871 banks were giving bank loans freely and confidence of businessmen rose. On October 8, 1871 a huge fire swept through Chicago, burning 17,450 buildings. There was a financial panic in 1872. City Hall was overcome with a group of immigrants who protested the ban on wooden housing and public drinking on Sunday. In 1873, banks called in loans. Workers demanded aid to starving families and work for those able.

On May 1, 1886, a parade supporting the eight hour work day occurred in Chicago. On May 3, 1886, police opened fire on lumber workers who were assaulting scab workers, at the McCormick Reaper Works. In response, on May 4, 1886, socialists had called a meeting and while Sam Fielden was telling the crowd to defend themselves, when a line of police officers came forward and told Fielden that the meeting must break up. A bomb was thrown, and rioters began pouring gunfire into the police line, and the police fired back. Many were killed and wounded that day. As a result of the Haymarket bombing immigrants were no longer as welcome to America as they had been in the past. Many believed that the immigrants were taking over cities like Chicago and that they were dangerous to the American way of life, and they were responsible for the Haymarket tragedy. In the end, anarchists August Spies, Oscar Neebe, Samuel Fielden, Michael Schwab, Louis Lingg, George Engel, Adolph Fisher, and Albert Parsons, were charged with conspiracy and murder. The differences between the capitalist class and working class became even more glaring.

For almost twenty years the brutal and bloody fight went on for their dream of freedom, to work in a cooperative, eight hour workplace, which would allow workers to prosper as well as employers. The deaths in the Haymarket extended deep grudges and mistrust socially between the classes for many decades afterward. Today however, many in society reap the benefits, of those who fought for rights of the working people.

Chicago was in many ways different than other cities because of job opportunities, more exciting lifestyle, crime, violence, government corruption, and various ethnic groups. The city was energized with new inventions and, Chicago was the place for power and politics in America during the 19^th century. Chicago like other cities was filled with people who wanted to live better lives, become successful, and make more money for their families.

Did Lincoln Own Slaves?

Sherri Ward

Professors Rees and Harris

History 591 – Chicago

Did Lincoln Own Slaves?

And Other Frequently Asked Questions About Abraham Lincoln

By Gerald J. Prokopowicz

In this book Gerald J. Prokopowicz answers questions asked by the public about President Abraham Lincoln. Prokopowicz’s book gives the reader information regarding Lincoln’s savvy view on politics, his honesty and integrity that was innate in his character, and his personality which was at times shrewd, brooding, and happy go lucky.

Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks Lincoln were Abraham Lincoln’s parents. After his mother’s death his father married Sara Bush Johnston Lincoln in 1819. Abraham Lincoln had a sister Sarah, and a brother Thomas and two step-sisters Elizabeth and Matilda. Lincoln shared a loving relationship with his step-mother which he did not share with his father. Lincoln did not like farm work and resented the law that said he had to give the money he earned to his father until he became 21 years of age. Lincoln was born in Kentucky, but the family moved to Indiana due to Kentucky being a slave state. Abraham worked with an ax on the farm which he disliked.

As young boy he was careful about not alienating his peers by being moral but not moralistic. He told great stories made friend laugh with funny stories, which carried over into adulthood. He was well liked but was not into drinking, smoking, etc. Lincoln went to formal school for approximately one year total. He had a sixth grade education, which was normal for that time period. In 1860 Knox College (now Columbia University) gave Lincoln an honorary doctor of law degree.

Lincoln did believe in God but not necessarily Jesus. There is no recorded conversion to Christianity. He fought the town bully Jack Armstrong and won Armstrong’s respect. Ann Rutledge may or may not have been Lincoln’s first love. We do know is that the two were close and Lincoln was severely depressed by her death. Lincoln left Salem for Springfield after being elected to the legislature.

Lincoln was engaged to Mary Owens. He had not seen her for awhile and was quite surprised at her unattractive appearance. He sent her a letter that was a pathetic marriage proposal. She turned him down.

As a lawyer, Lincoln was much sought after. He and his partners carried a case load of about 200 a year, which was heavy. Lincoln preferred to let his courtroom opponents think him simple minded. Then he would find some way to turn the case to his advantage. Lincoln did not go to law school but borrowed books from a lawyer and tediously studied them, as he self taught himself to be a lawyer. Lincoln was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1836. Lincoln’s goal in life was to be truly esteemed by fellow men.

Mary Todd and Lincoln were married on November 4, 1842 and their son Robert was born August 1, 1843. Lincoln never owned slaves, but Ruth Burns Stanton at the age of 14, was sent by the John Bradford family that employed her to work for Mary Lincoln. There was no other household help.

While in the Illinois legislature Lincoln learned how things were done in a democracy. He learned how to compromise and learned about team building. Lincoln was an avid reader and became a good public speaker, and speech writer. Steven Douglas’ Kansas-Nebraska act which would overturn the Missouri Compromise and allow slavery in western states, roused Lincoln to become involved with politics again. Lincoln argued that slavery effected American core values. He argued that the Declaration of Independence said that all men are created equal; therefore the slaves should be equal. Those who were for slavery were only looking out for their own self interest. Douglas felt that the slave issue should be determined by popular vote, by men of European descent.

Abraham Lincoln was fifty-one years old when he was elected President and had just turned 52 when he was sworn into the office. He beat out Salmon P. Chase, William Henry Seward, and Simon Cameron as each of them directed their supporters to support the dark horse candidate, that he eventually had enough votes to beat Seward. Lincoln filled his cabinet with strong Republicans even those who were against him, because they brought political strength and the greatest minds of the time. He felt it necessary to keep his enemies close, and in the end these men became one of the most effective presidential cabinets. Seward became Secretary of State, Chase the Secretary of Treasury, Simon Cameron the Secretary of War, all of whom thought they should be President. Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus and 13,535 prisoners were arrested for desertion, draft evasion, expressing political views, or political prisoner status.

Lincoln signed the first income tax law, taxing those who made over $800 a year at 3%. The average income was $300 a year at this time. Congress passed the Internal Revenue Act in 1862. Income tax ended in 1872, passed again in 1874, then declared unconstitutional in 1895. Today’s income tax came about after an amendment to the Constitution in 1913.

During the Gettysburg address Lincoln added in the words “under God”. The goal of the address was to explain why the war must go on and to redefine it, a new birth, with new dedication to the ideals set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed slaves. After Lincoln was shot by John Wilkes Booth, Stanton is thought to have said that he now belongs to the ages or angels. He had twelve funerals across the nation, and was laid to rest in Springfield, Illinois, at Oak Ridge Cemetery. Willie’s body was brought on Lincoln’s funeral train and buried there as well. Mary and Tad were eventually buried there as well. The Lincoln highway running from New York to San Francisco is the largest memorial to Lincoln. President Lincoln’s greatest accomplishments were to save the union and help to abolish slavery. President Lincoln was a shrewd politician with a gift of keen insight into men and what made them tick. He was willing to give others the praise and keep himself in the background. Lincoln was able to articulate a story in which people would guffaw and laugh at or he could bring a tear. He was a man of many talents who worked earnestly to bring about the freedom of all Americans.

Summary, June 19, 2008

    

Before I wrote this part of my blog, I wanted to take a few days and let the two weeks in Philadelphia soak in.  I have to say, that I feel incredibly blessed to have been a part of this trip.  I know that I wasn’t on the first cut of people to go, but I am so thrilled and will never forget all that we have seen and done.  Many of these things I have always dreamed of seeing.  My children asked me what was my favorite part of the trip and I had to say that there were so many things.  Seeing the Liberty Bell, being in Independence Hall and breathing in that room, where heated discussions took place, (in more ways than one) and the compromises that happened in order to give the country a new governement.  For some reason, one of the things that keeps coming back to me surprisingly, was the time that a few of us spent in the Friends Meeting Service that Wednesday night.  I have tried to incorporate a little more quiet time in my day, and I must say it is kind of nice.  Going to Gettysburg was really something.  I wish we could have spent more time viewing the sites.  Princeton was so cool.  I didn’t know it was a town as well as a college.  I loved it!  Going to Katie and Abner’s home was informative as well.  I have since incorporated more garden space.  In fact, this morning I just planted new grape vines, blueberry bushes, and marionberry vines.  There were a lot of things that the Amish do well, that we could learn from.  I think it would be really cool, if I can build a vegetable garden at school and have my kids plant in the spring and teach them how to take care of their own gardens.  I’ll have to think on that one. 

     The pirate exhibit was memorable as well.  In the classroom I will be able to talk about Sam Bellamy’s adventure.  I really want to get National Geographic’s movie about this.  Ben Franklin court was very informative and there is so much to be learned from this man.  He was quite a genious.  I think I can turn my kids on to history and science with discussions of Mr. Franklin.

      The trip gave me much background knowledge and I can’t thank Matt, Jonothan, and Scott enough for allowing me to be a part of this adventure.  You guys are the best!  Oh, I know I’m probably one of the few who says DON’T cut the trip down next year.  So much money is being spent on getting there, and no one will remember being exhausted in a few months.  All they will remember is all the cool stuff we saw!  Remember we can sleep when we are dead!  Thanks again,  Sherri

 

     

    

 

 

 

Friday, June 14, 2008 Gettysburg

  Friday, June 14, 2008  

 

 

     The tour of the Gettysburg battlefield was fast and furious.  Our guide gave us several markers like the Watertank on East Cemetery hill, where the northern soldiers were on the 2^nd and 3^rd days of the battle.  I had no idea the battlefield was so big.  There were monuments all over the place.  We saw the house that Jennie Wade the only bystander to be killed, died in.  We also saw a brick house that was on the edge of the battlefield that was riddled with bullet holes.  Amazing!  There was another building that had a hole in it from a cannon ball.  Our guide told us that 7 million bullets were fired and 10,000 men lost their lives.  Colorado did not have any troops here because it was still a territory and if a Coloradoan wanted to fight, he would have to go East or to a northern state to join up.   After the battle the guide said that there were piles of amputated arms and legs about 4-5 feet tall.  In town we also saw the David Wills house, where Lincoln spent the night on the eve of the Gettysburg Address.

 

     General Lee’s invasion of Pennsylvania began in early June and Lee as he moved through Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.  During the last week of June the confederate army moved to Pennsylvania.  General Meade had just become the head of the army. 

 

 

     During the Gettysburg John Burns who was 70 years old came out and fought by northern soldiers all afternoon long. He was wounded 3 times and became a hero whom, President Lincoln praised. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

     One of the neatest things that we did while there, was to walk through the cemetery and see the marker where Lincoln gave the Gettysburg address.  Crystal and I also hopped over a wall to get pictures of a the Masonic fallen soldier memorial.  That was amazing.

 

     As I teach my students about the battle of Gettysburg, it will be invaluable to have been there to see the area and have background knowledge about Gettysburg, in order to teach this subject to my students.  I think having pictures to show of the area will help a great deal.    

 

     After we returned to the dorms, Connie, Lauren, and I went to New Deck Tavern for dinner.  We had a lovely time eating outside and chatting about the day.  Then Lauren’s husband called and said that Tim Russert had died that day from a heart attack.  How sad.     

     I have tried for the last hour to get more pictures for this entry to no avail.  I don’t know if the system is having problems or it is operator error.  I will try again later. :) 

 

 

    

Winterthur

Thursday, June 12, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     We traveled to the lush, green, state of Delaware and went to a huge 175 room country manor museum named Winterthur. The estate was owned by Henry Francis DuPont family who left it as a museum in 1951.  His family had made their money by making dynamite, and gun powder.  They were also involved in DuPont paint.       

 

     We had a speaker who spoke to our group about the Consumer Revolution during the 18^th century around the 1740’s-1750’s.  During this time period the production and consumption of goods from England doubled.  By 1750-1790 production had quadrupled.  This was pretty amazing as most goods went to North America colonies and the Caribbean islands.  I had not thought all that much about how the taste of sugar affected trade in the colonies.  As more money became disposable, people were willing to spend it for wants, not only needs.  It seems that coffee houses were a gathering place in the 1700’s just as they are today.  Coffee houses may not be as rowdy today, but social nonetheless. 

 

     I did like the way the speaker looked at the pictures that she put on the screen.  She seemed to pick them apart in a way that I thought would work well in the classroom.  Asking the students what they saw and facilitating the conversation.  It is a good way to help them understand more than they might otherwise. 

 

     Winterthur itself was grand and gorgeous.  I did enjoy it and the beautiful gardens.  However, I couldn’t help but compare and contrast the Amish people to this big beautiful home.  I think that could be done in the classroom also. 

 

     There were numerous artifacts that could be used like the picture of Paul Revere’s fathers beer steins, the original picture of George Washington, Martha and his family sitting at a table. 

 

They took us to the library at Winterthur which is open to the public.  I had gone to warm up with a cup of coffee and apparrently they made an announcement to our group that we were to take nothing into the library with us.  Well, I caught up to my group after the library tour had started.  So, I took my little purse and camera in.  At one point, I asked the guide if I could take pictures, as long as I didn’t use the flash.  She said I could much to everyone else’s dismay, so I proceeded to take some really neat pictures.  I promise I will share!  The oldest book in their collection is a cookbook dating in the 1600’s.  They had some pretty amazing things.  One book had a pencil drawing of how to make different kinds of garments, and had a cloth example of the garment on another page. That will be fun to use with the kids especially, if we want to teach them to sew.  They can incorporate math skills with measuring, and cutting certain shapes.  There were journal entries from a young man in the 1700’s etc.  There were so many primary sources.   

   

     We ate a nice lunch.  I had too much coffee and was a chatty Kathy.  J  Nancy and I walked through the Winterthur gardens and found some really cool trees, flowers.  The Garden looked like a little fairyland.  We had our picture taken in a large bird nest and in some other cool places.  We went to Peony Garden but all the peonies had already been picked this year.  Bummer.

    

7:00 p.m. ish

 

 

 

 

 

     Our group just got back on the bus after eating at the Iron Hill Brewery. After dinner we took a short walk along the Pristina River which was so pleasant and peaceful.  Matt, Crystal, Connie, and Lauren enjoyed that simple pleasure.  The weather has been perfect and I can’t believe it is already June 12^th.  There is a part of me that wants to go home and see my family, and another part of me that so enjoys traveling and learning new things.  I enjoy the camaraderie of this group and have looked forward to coming on this trip, since January.  I will be sad for it to end. 

Lectures and An Afternoon in Philly

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jonothan and Scott were kind enough to get Mr. Donut coffee, and donuts for us this morning.   Thank you guys! 

 

     This morning we went to College Hall and listened to Professor David Walstreicher speak about Benjamin Franklin and how he was a slave holder and that he may not necessarily have changed his mind about slavery.  Many Philadelphians like to believe this, but he was first and foremost a politician. 

 

     Next, we listened to Jonothan’s old college professor and advisor Mr. Bob Engs.  Mr. Engs spoke about black slaves in the army.  He believed that slaves had really freed themselves because of their rally in the fields, and their refusal to sit quiet any longer on the plantations.  They were willing to fight for their freedom and did so in the 54^th MA infantry.  However, Bob said that in the movie Glory the soldiers should have been portrayed as the northern, educated, black men, that they were. The 1^st regiment was known to have more troops than when they started.  Bob felt that the troops were more central to the war than Lincoln. 

 

     My group took a jaunt to 1^st  Bank and since Kelsey and I had already been there, Dana took us downstairs to see the vault where the gold used to be kept. Then we went outside to watch a presentation by some men dressed in period clothing, espousing colonial discontent and playing a Fife. 

     We also went to Franklin’s Court and went to the underground museum.  We watched the movie, which I bought for my students to see.  I think that will be helpful when we are studying about Franklin. 

 

     

Eldfreth Alley- Later we went to see Elfreth’s Alley which is a historical landmark and the oldest, continuously inhabited residential street in America.  Still today, people make these bright and cheerily decorated buildings their homes.  Kelsey and I buddied up for the rest of the afternoon, and headed for Penn’s Landing. 

 

      While there I went to see the Independence Seaport Museum, which was very cool.  In this museum they commented on submarines being used in the Revolutionary War.  I had no idea they have been used that long.  In this museum, there was also a lot of information about the Delaware River, which substantiates the conditions that Washington found himself in, when crossing the Delaware.

 

 

 

 

     Then we went on a delightful ferry ride over to Camden, NJ.  We took a continuous round trip and just soaked in the sights from the water.  We shared a bag of kettle corn on our excursion.  Since both of us have lived in Seattle, we certainly enjoyed this form of transportation, once again.   The weather was absolutely gorgeous, cooler than the weather yesterday, and the ride lifted my spirits.  It was really cool to see the subway train connect Philly to Camden, way up there on that bridge.  I’d never seen that before.  This was definitely a bright spot among many.  Very awesome!

 

     Next, we headed to the City Tavern for dinner.  I had Chicken Madeira, mashed potatoes, and veggies.  I typically don’t choose a meat meal, but it was actually quite good.  For dessert I had Martha Washington’s chocolate mousse cake, which was incredible.  The tavern had great ambience, lit candles, servers in period dress, etc.

 

      Later, Kelsey and I walked to The Friends Meeting House and met up with Matt, Nancy, and Crystal.  Darlene and Delores came a bit later.  We went in and participated in the Quaker or Friends Wednesday evening prayer service.  I tend to be a high energy person, and I knew that we were going to sit quietly during this service.  But after the rush of the day, when I first sat down I thought, gee, 40 minutes of absolute quiet. There sure are a lot of things I could be doing with this time.  However, sit I did.  Eventually, I settled in and could hear the birds singing outside, reflected over the day, family, friends and this class and trip.  I found myself at one moment, in a different quiet place.  Perhaps, I should incorporate more quiet time in my day.  It might be a good thing, even though it goes against the grain.  Toward the end of the meeting a man got up and spoke about some things he had been thinking.  Afterward, we introduced ourselves and some questions were answered.  It was a nice learning experience.  I believe I could take that bit of knowledge into the classroom and relate that experience with my students when we discuss the Quakers. 

 

Then, Nancy and I went back to City Tavern.  She had the asparagus soup and bread, and I had a diet coke.  She had not been able to go to the tavern yet, so this was the perfect opportunity, as I had decided to buy a City Tavern mug for my step son Aaron.  It was fun to get to know her better. 

 

We arrived back at the dorm around 9:40.  It was a long day but very informative.  Then Connie, Lauren and I stayed up chatting for quite some time.  I made a slide show, but it is either saved somewhere that I can’t find or it is in cyber space.  Oh well, I’ll try again tomorrow.

 

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

 

 

 

     Today we went to the Atwater Museum and the American Philosophical Society.  One of the things that I will definitely use in my classroom is a picture that I took today, of William Penn’s 1701 charter of Pennsylvania.  In my classroom, I am required to teach a unit on Pennsylvania and William Penn.  My students will certainly enjoy seeing the photos associated with this subject as well as others, as we go through this unit.      

 

 

 

 

 

     Of course, the photos of Louis and Clark’s journals and the Declaration of Independence got my interest.  Our students study Lewis and Clark in 1^st and 5^th and it will be extraordinarily cool for my students to see the journals.  The drawing of the fish on the page that was open at the museum, will allow my students to see a picture of an original drawing from the journal.  What an incredible artist he was.  Wow!   

 

I thought sure the guide said that the Declaration of Independence was printed on vellum, which was CAT skin.  I have since been corrected by my suite mates, with great hilarity and belly laughs, that it was indeed CALF skin.  J  (You had to be here, we have been blogging for hours and have gone to the dark side.)

 

     At the American Philosophical Society we had a tour guide whose name was Ursula.  Ursula talked to us about the exhibit in that building.  We saw lots of information on the man who started the Audubon society, as well as, Elisha Kent Kane who spent 21 months in the Arctic stranded.  There were drawings and journal accounts of his time there.  Very fascinating!

 

     Our guide told us that Ben Franklin was 17 when he arrived in Philadelphia and rented a room at the Read household where he met their daughter Debra, and wanted to marry her.  He left for England on a business venture and got stuck over there, because a deal had gone bad. Ben wrote to Debra telling her he had no money and was not able to return.  He stayed there to work but did not write to her again.  She apparently married a man by the last name of Rogers and when Ben returned, he returned with an infant in hand.  No one seems to know who the mother of this child was. Debra’s husband was already married.  However, he met up with another woman, and left the country with her.  Ben went to Debra’s mother (her father had already passed away) and asked to marry her in a common law marriage.  Her mother agreed and they were married for over 40 years. 

 

    Ursula said that Ben was not a womanizer at all, but a feminist at heart.  He truly thought that women should have equal rights and that he would go to various get togethers, so that he would be able to encourage and talk to more women, in order to encourage them in their pursuits.  She informed us that he had two liaisons with women in France, whom he asked to marry him, after his wife Debra had died. 

 

     Ben Franklin raised his son William, as a British citizen.  So, when the war broke out, William was on the Loyalist side and was arrested.  He stayed in prison for almost 3 years and Ben did not lift a hand to help.  I’m sure that he was angry at first, but perhaps he left him in there to keep him safe.  I understand his autobiography was written for William.  Today, we saw a letter that William sent to his son William T. Franklin by the  the first hot air balloon that came across the Atlantic from England to America.  I found it interesting that William signed the letter Your affectionate father.  There was also some mention about saying hello to your grandfather.  It seems that William wanted a good relationship with his son.  However, a single man who would return to England with a babe in arms, might have enough concern to want to be tough, but still care.  Maybe Benjamin had his own reasons for keeping him in prison, perhaps to keep him safe.  It seems harsh, but I’m speculating.   I guess I’m a romantic at heart. 

 

I am exhausted from the heat, but found lots of information to incorporate into my teaching.  It was a very good day.