Our house was built in 1906 along with ten other identical dwellings spread across our block. We have a detached garage in the back, with an alley running behind it. Of the ten homes, ours is the only one with the original garage. Needing to replace the garage floor, we…
In 1792, Alexander Hamilton established Paterson, New Jersey as America’s first planned industrial city, centered around the Great Falls of the Passaic River. The mills there created industries that changed the face of the newly formed United States and Paterson became the national hub of manufacturing. I recently visited Great…
The Dey (pronounced “dye”) Mansion, located in Wayne, New Jersey, was built in the 1770s and was the home of Colonel Theunis Dey and his wife Hester. Twice it served as General George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution, once from July 1 through July 28, 1780 and again from…
The evening before Wreaths Across America Day, I was texting with my good friend, Donna, from my hotel room in Arlington, Virginia. She asked what time we had to head to Arlington National Cemetery the next morning. The above texts followed. Most Saturday mornings I am home checking the pantry…
Built in 1774, the Ford Mansion served as George Washington’s headquarters in Morristown, New Jersey from December 1779 to June 1780 during the American Revolutionary War. Washington’s army was stationed at Jockey Hollow, five miles south. Its proximity allowed General Washington to keep apprised of activities in the American capital…
Going to Philadelphia from the suburbs when I was a young girl to shop was a common occurrence. A trip at Christmastime was an annual tradition, Strawbridge & Clothier and Lit Brothers did it up beautifully, adding special attractions for the holiday season. But nothing compared to the John Wanamaker…
From the time that I was a young girl until my thirties, my mom and I would frequently take the train from the suburbs into downtown Philadelphia for shopping. She was born and raised in the city, living there until my father’s company built a new facility “in the country”…
Being as enamored as I am with the events that occurred when we fought for our independence from England, I have seen my fair share of paintings of George Washington, as well as mannequins (shudder – “Unhidden Figures”), busts and massive statues of him on his horse. There are multiple…
We are all familiar with the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the White House and the Capital. There is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with its two black granite walls engraved with the names of those service members who died or remain missing as a result of their service in the…
At Crystal City Sports Pub in Arlington, Virginia, I listened to the Army – Navy game’s second half being shown on large televisions mounted on every possible wall space throughout. Being played 15 miles away, an equal amount of cheers and groans could be heard from other patrons. I always…
