Sister Rain Note: I first learned of Major John Andre while watching the AMC TV series, “TURN: Washington’s Spies.” I was totally hooked by the story of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. A few years ago, I spent a day in Tappan, New York, the location where, upon General George…
Sister Rain Note: I first learned of Major John Andre while watching the AMC TV series, “TURN: Washington’s Spies.” I was totally hooked by the story of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. A few years ago, I spent a day in Tappan, New York, the location where, upon General George…
Sister Rain Note: I first learned of Major John Andre while watching the AMC TV series, “TURN: Washington’s Spies.” I was totally hooked by the story of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. A few years ago, I spent a day in Tappan, New York, the location where, upon General George…
Sister Rain Note: A few years ago, I spent a day in Tappan, New York, the location where, upon General George Washington’s orders, Major John Andre was hanged as a spy, a result of his involvement with Benedict Arnold in the plot to surrender West Point to the British. (Click…
In the 18th century, there was a pervasive belief that untoasted fresh bread caused digestive issues, making toasting an important part of daily life. Revolutionary War-era fireplace implements consisted of locally hand-forged wrought iron toasting forks and small rotary racks or baskets with long handles. Other racks were mounted on…
While researching my 5x great-grandfather Colonel Augustine Willett, my husband discovered a copy of a Muster Return dated 1776. A Muster Return is an official military status report used to track personnel. It details which members are present, absent, transferred or discharged. Colonel Bull’s Return of the 1st Battalion Pennsylvania…
For the past year, I have been working with Major League Baseball on some solutions to make the in-the-park experience more accessible – and ENJOYABLE – for visually impaired fans. I promise to share more on that in a future story. My contacts at MLB generously offered me two tickets…
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of Independence this year, I was curious as to what was happening this week in 1776. August 1, 1776 Just one day before the formal parchment of the Declaration of Independence was signed, Patriot leader Samuel Adams delivered a passionate, unifying speech…
The Pony Express was a pioneering mail delivery system that used a relay of horseback riders. Operating for just 18 months between 1860 and 1861, riders sped across nearly 2,000 miles of rugged terrain between Missouri and California. It was a reliable process with letters being delivered in about 10…
While putting together our itinerary for the week, I came across a few photos of the Utah State Capitol, yet I was not prepared for the real-life grand home of the state’s government. Its neoclassical architecture is more DC than SLC. Situated on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City, the…
