Sandra Day O'Connor Passed Away and I'm Reflecting on More Female Firsts in American History

The passing of Sandra Day O'Connor, the first female Supreme Court Justice in the United States, led me to explore more firsts.

Dec 02, 2023

Wise Words from Washington: Words to Live By

Learning from history is vital and these wise words from George Washington are some of the best Washington quotes out there.

Nov 26, 2023

November 23rd Celebrates Thanksgiving 2023, but What Else Happened on this Day in American History?

In 2023, we celebrate November 23rd as Thanksgiving Day. But what else happened on this day in American history?

Nov 23, 2023

United States Place Names and the History Behind Them: The Cities Edition

Do you ever wonder how cities got their names? Who are the people behind the place names?

Nov 15, 2023

The Most Powerful Tribute: Honoring and Supporting Veterans of the United States Military and Their Families

No matter how you do it, take the time to honor veterans of the U.S. Military and their families - every day of the year.

Nov 14, 2023

3 Cool Primary Sources That Are Not the Declaration of Independence but Are Fascinating Bits of American History

3 primary sources that are just as important as the Declaration of Independence in our American history.

Nov 09, 2023

November 6th: A Day of Presidential Elections and More!

Lincoln was elected as the 16th American president on November 6th. What else happened in history on that day?

Nov 06, 2023

October 11th: Eat BBQ and Dive into a Day of Mysterious Death and the Birth of a New American Comedy Legacy

Celebrate October 11th by eating BBQ and diving into some serious American history.

Oct 11, 2023

The Jefferson Triumvirate of Williamsburg

Who influenced, supported, and taught Thomas Jefferson? Meet his Williamsburg triumvirate and get a taste.

Oct 10, 2023

The Spy Whose Powerful Decision Helped Get an American Victory at Yorktown: Meeting James Armistead Lafayette

Have you met James Armistead Lafayette? He was the spy who helped us at Yorktown and shouldn't be forgotten.

Oct 09, 2023

4 Things I Learned at Margaret Hunter's Millinery: An 18th Century Trade in an Original Building

I'm loving Margaret Hunter's shop, the 18th century millinery in Colonial Williamsburg.

Oct 02, 2023

October 1st: Celebrate Fall with Pumpkin Spice and Remember Johnny Carson's Debut on the Tonight Show

Celebrate fall with Pumpkin Spice and remember all the other bits of American history that happened on October 1st.

Oct 01, 2023

The Trades of Colonial Williamsburg Teach Us About Daily Life in the 18th Century

Major events in history are easy to find information about. What if you want to know a bit about daily life in the 18th century? The trades shop in Williamsburg can help!

Sep 29, 2023

Today I Learned About George Washington From a Scholar Named Peter Henriques

Learning about George Washington took on new meaning through Washington scholar Peter Henriques lecture in Colonial Williamsburg.

Sep 28, 2023

Notes on How Decisions to Take Action Impacted American History

What if our founding fathers procrastinated? My personal procrastination on a marketing project inspired a post about decisions to take action in American history.

Sep 24, 2023

September 21 in American History: The Traitor Becomes a Traitor,  Reagan Speaks and the King of Horror Is Born

When did Benedict Arnold become a traitor to America? September 21st 1780. See what else happened that day!

Sep 18, 2023

Putting this Blog into Context: A Quick Note About the 13 Colonies

Let's have a quick chat about the 13 colonies to put this American history blog in context.

Sep 17, 2023

4 Things I Learned from the Colonial Williamsburg Gunsmiths- A True Gem of a Trade

The Colonial Williamsburg gunsmiths make early American guns lock, stock, and barrel and share insight into the era!

Sep 15, 2023

The Scotchtown Post: Insight into Patrick Henry and the Place He Lived for a Few Pivotal Years

Have you visited Patrick Henry's Scotchtown? He only lived there for a few years, but they were pivotal ones.

Sep 09, 2023

September 8th: On the Anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II’s Passing, Let’s Look at This Day in American History

What happened on September 7th throughout American history? Get a snapshot of this day in history here.

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September 7th: From the 1776 Naval Attack to 2003's Farm Aid 16

What happened on September 7th throughout American history? Get a snapshot of this day in history here.

Sep 06, 2023

Colonial History Learned From the Trees Around Us

What can trees tell you about history? A lot! Start with this post and begin the journey into history through trees.

Sep 05, 2023

Put Your Toes in the Sand and Celebrate the All-American Holiday: Labor Day

The origins of Labor Day beyond the cookout and into the real American history.

Sep 03, 2023

Agecroft Hall: The Tudor House that Traveled to Virginia in the 1920s

Reasons to visit the Tudor house that travelled to America during the Gilded Age because of TC and Bessie Williams.

Aug 30, 2023

August 27th: George Washington Requested Food for Soldiers and Mary Poppins Premiered!

What happened in American history on August 27th? George Washington asked the states for food in 1780, LBJ was born and Mary Poppins premiered!

Aug 26, 2023

Experimenting on the Farm: A Necessity in 18th Century America and Beyond

Why was experimental farming necessary in early America? Let's hear what George Washington and others had to say.

Aug 25, 2023

A Visit to One of the Most Historical Sites Around: Berkeley.

Have you visited the ancestral home of 2 presidents? Take a peek into the Harrison home in Charles City Virginia and soak in some history.

Aug 20, 2023

Capturing the Right Spirit of Early American History: More Names to Know

Meet Caty and Rochambeau, two names from early American history that helped shape our world.

Aug 19, 2023

George Washington: What Was He Thinking as He Left the Presidency?

What thoughts did Washington have about our United States after eight years as President? Start grabbing some history here.

Aug 17, 2023

August 15th- A Day to Remember Because So Many Things Happened

What happened on August 15th in American history? Let's take a look, blogger-style.

Aug 15, 2023

What I Learned About 18th Century Food This Week: A Pound Cake Makes Many Cakes

How a Nun's Cake is related to learning the history of food in a place like Colonial Williamsburg.

Aug 12, 2023

National Simplify Your Life Week: Tips for Simplifying Access to American History

Use my 7 tips to simplify your journey into finding out about American history!

Aug 08, 2023

Thank Goodness Abigail Smith Adams Loved to Write Letters Because They Show the Woman Behind the Public Image

History is about real people. Abigail Adams' letters give us a glimpse into the private thoughts behind her public image.

Aug 07, 2023

August 7th: A Day in American History

What happened in American history on August 7th? A few events to talk about at the water cooler and at the dinner table!

Aug 07, 2023

The House Richard Decatur Lee Built

Richard Decatur Lee built a piece of art called Lee Hall Mansion, and I had to tell you about it!

Aug 05, 2023

The Woman in the Portrait and 2 More Who Fascinate Me

I saw a portrait and it led me to write about 3 women from early American history.

Aug 02, 2023

The 2nd Continental Congress Established the Postal System and Sandra Bullock Was Born: July 26th in American History

The U.S. Postal Service, Vivian Vance, Sandra Bullock and the FBI were all born on July 26th!

Jul 26, 2023

3 Names From American History You May Not Know but Should Learn

Do you know Peyton Randolph died so John Hancock's signature replaced his? I'm sharing 3 names from American history you may not know but should.

Jul 25, 2023

I Heard Music No One's Seen Performed for Hundreds of Years

We heard music from Jefferson's library that was unlikely performed for hundreds of years!

Jul 21, 2023

Things to Love About the Raleigh Tavern, Past and Present

Past meets present when you visit the Raleigh Tavern, an 18th century reconstruction showing off the Daphne and Apollo rooms, where liberty happened.

Jul 16, 2023

July 15th- A Random Date On Which Many Things Happened

What happened on July 15th in American history? Let's find out.

Jul 15, 2023

Freedom Is Not Free: A Grandfather in Maine Created an Evergreen Movement Reminding the World

If we are talking about American history, Wreaths Across America's Mobile Education Exhibit deserves a mention.

Jul 07, 2023

Music in History: All-American From the Start of our United States

How did music start out in early America? It was all-American from the beginning!

Jul 13, 2023

Musings on Liberty: A Quick Post Celebrating Independence Day

If we're discussing what American history is about, liberty must be discussed as we celebrate Independence Day.

Jul 04, 2023

3 Reasons to Take Tours and Visit Historic Sites Multiple Times

Keep visiting historical places you love. I'm sharing 3 reasons why, knowing you really want to see what American history is about!

Jun 29, 2023

This 4th of July, Give Thanks to the Frenchman Who George Washington Called a Friend for Life

The Marquis de Lafayette, Washington's friend for life and why we should honor him on Independence Day.

Jun 28, 2023

I Went to the Library to Learn About the Rare Breed Program but Left Wondering About Sheep.

Sheep were a vital part of American history! Learn the impact during Colonial times.

Jun 24, 2023

How Do You Get the Right Frame on a Huge 1690’s Painting? Create It!

When you acquire a 1690's painting and the frame is not original, creating a period-style frame happens, at least in Williamsburg!

Jun 23, 2023

What to Write About When There Is So Much History? Anything.

What this blog is about: American history as I learn it.

Jun 22, 2023

Want to Really Understand American History? Read Letters and Other Primary Sources.

What's the best way to learn American history? Reading letters, inventories, diaries and other primary sources!

Jun 18, 2023

Colonial Colors, the Blog Brand, and History of Course: Let's Talk About Wallpaper

Let's talk about 18th century wallpaper because it tells us about history, not just color.

Jun 17, 2023

Being Free At 50: I Moved to Williamsburg and Get to Experience American History Every Day

Experience American history come alive! This blog is dedicated to what American history is really about. The people and everything in their lives.

Jun 09, 2023