Two incredible weeks. A once in a lifetime opportunity. One fantastic trip, three states, three professors, 30 students, four guest professors, countless historic sites, interpreters, guides and the opportunity to learn and learn and learn.
It is a wonderful time to teach history in Colorado! Ten days after this trip has ended and now a [...]
Archive for June, 2008
Reflection
Posted in Uncategorized on June 23, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Gettysburg
Posted in Uncategorized on June 23, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
To teach about Gettysburg is a powerful lesson. To teach about Gettysburg after experiencing the battlefield is to be able to create a story for the students that a textbook could never begin to capture. One weekend in July changed so much in our country’s history. The idea of maintaining the higher ground, how reality [...]
June 12, 2008
Posted in Uncategorized on June 13, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Winterthur
The gardens at Winterthur were fabulous. I could just imagine myself a child playing in the Enchanted Woods or sliding down the bannister or playing a huge game of hide and seek in that nine story home.
The day began with a lecture on commerce and the consumer revolution by Professor Cathy Matson from the University [...]
June 11, 2008
Posted in Uncategorized on June 13, 2008 | Leave a Comment »
Philadelphia. Our last full day in the city. This painting was done of early 19th century Philadelphia and hangs in the 2nd Bank of the United States.
We were given a lot to think about as we heard from two professors from Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania address various aspects of slavery. Both lectures [...]
June 10, 2008
Posted in Uncategorized on June 11, 2008 | 1 Comment »
As we explored the American Philosphical Society Library I was astounded to find such a rich collection of original documents, books and journals. To read Lewis and Clark’s original journals and see their detailed pen drawings created by mixing their own powdered ink was inspiring. To see the only document with the four first Presidents [...]
June 9th 2008-Bruederschaft
Posted in Uncategorized on June 10, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Today was delightful!
As we travelled into Amish country and learned about the lives of the Amish and Mennonites, I felt like I could link what I was learning into early American history this fall. So much of our history is linked to the Protestant Reformation. As Luther and Swingli rebelled against the Catholic [...]
Sunday June 8th
Posted in Uncategorized on June 9, 2008 | 2 Comments »
Today was a chance for some rest and reflection. As we sat in Christ Church, I kept imagining what Washington, Franklin, Morris etc. were thinking when they sat in these pews. I am also fascinated to think of their faith in the context of Independence being declared and fought for and the Constitution being written. [...]
Saturday June 7th
Posted in Uncategorized on June 7, 2008 | 3 Comments »
Today it was off to Washington Crossing-where Washington famously went across the Delaware from Pennsylvania back into New Jersey to battle those Brits in a Noreaster no less! The turning point in the war. Then we headed to Monmoth battlefield. The heat index was somewhere around 101- just like the actual battle day- and a [...]
Friday June 6, 2008-Franklin Institute
Posted in Uncategorized on June 6, 2008 | 1 Comment »
Today was our day at the Franklin Institute. I enjoyed seeing some of Benjamin Franklin’s belongings including a tea set, lightning rod, sterling silver mug, and a five pound note.
The Franklin Institute was beautiful.
June 5, 2008 A Favorite Day
Posted in Uncategorized on June 6, 2008 | 1 Comment »
This was a day I have been looking forward to ever since January when I found out that Carol Berkin would be traveling here to Philly too! To be in the presence of such a scholar, a strong woman, a master story teller was inspiring. Carol’s funny, irreverent repartee was delightful. I believe that using [...]
