Tag Archives: history

Historian as rock star

Posted on February 7, 2013 by

Eric Foner is a remarkable historian who has turned the Dunning interpretation of the period of Reconstruction on its head. His analysis of this period is stunningly intelligent and inclusive, speaking of the remarable far-sightedness, almost modern ring to some … Continue reading →

Posted in history, Reconstruction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gas leaks

Posted on October 10, 2012 by

The gas company is putting in new lines in the neighborhood. They have been working in the neighborhood all summer running pipes down the entire block. Today they dug a trench through our front yard up to the house. Sometime … Continue reading →

Posted in history, neighborhood | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

History isn’t supposed to repeat itself

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

The annual Pullman debates were today. The students take on the roles of Jane Addams, Eugene Debs (founder of the ARU-American Railway Union), George Pullman, Pullman Workers, the GMA (General Managers Association- a group of Railroad CEOs), Governor Altgeld, Rev. … Continue reading →

Posted in history, union | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

All kinds of research going on

Posted on February 23, 2012 by

In class today we were quietly reading some material on labor and the Pullman strike which afforded me a chance to touch base with some of my students regarding their research papers. (We will be working on preparing for a … Continue reading →

Posted in history, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Thank you, Horatio Bat man

Posted on January 25, 2012 by

Presently we are in the midst of learning about the period of Reconstruction. We have immersed ourselves in lots of primary resources, challenging and sometimes obscure, at least to 8th graders–texts which reflect sophisticated vocabulary, complicated syntax, lots of double … Continue reading →

Posted in art, artist, history, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Who’s buried in Grant’s Tomb?

Posted on July 21, 2011 by

Right around the corner from the dorm we are staying in is Grant’s Tomb. I don’t know why I always thought it was in Ohio. I found it rather randomly, just wandering down Riverside Drive. It’s actually quite ironic in … Continue reading →

Posted in death, history, truth | Tagged , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Tenement Museum

Posted on July 20, 2011 by

History is a long period of time but when looked at as a series of lifetimes it doesn’t seem that far away. At the Tenement Museum in New York City, the visceral and palpable meaning of this nearly overwhelmed us. … Continue reading →

Posted in history, museums | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

“The cap in your mouth can obstruct breathing if swallowed.”

Posted on May 19, 2011 by

Riding home last night I was listening to NPR which had a report on the 14th annual Wacky Warning Labels Contest, started by Bob Dorigo Jones in 1997. The idea behind the contest is that in our litigious society, we are being over-warned … Continue reading →

Posted in education, history, memoir, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Debs ate his bribe

Posted on March 3, 2011 by

Today were our Pullman Strike debates. Jane Addams, Eugene Debs, Governor Altgeld, Attorney General Olney, General Miles and the Federal Troops, George Pullman, the General Managers Association (GMA), Reverend Carwardine, and Pullman workers were at the table negotiating, something that … Continue reading →

Posted in activism, history, labor, school, Teaching, union | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“I just forgot in which pockets to look.”

Posted on March 2, 2011 by

GR came up to me today to let me know that he hadn’t been able to find any good resources for his research paper on Joe “King” Oliver. “I can’t believe that. He’s a pretty well-known musician, very influential in … Continue reading →

Posted in books, history, school, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment