This is a drawing of the Old Anchor Tavern in Lynn, Massachusetts. the drawing was done in 1866, but the tavern opened in 1643. The tavern was situated in Saugus on the road to Boston, making it convenient for both townspeople and travelers. I find it interesting that this tavern, essentially, looks like a large
Rules for Teachers — No Loitering in Ice Cream Parlors
School days, school days, dear old golden rule days, Readin’ and ‘ritin’ and ‘rithmetic, Taught to the tune of a hick’ry stick, You were my queen in calico, I was your bashful barefoot beau And you wrote on my slate, I love you Joe, When we were a couple of kids. Will D. Cobb and
STAYCATION, VACATION & WALKING IN THE WOODS
As I write this, I am sitting on green grass I don’t have to mow, gazing at gently swaying palm trees, and listening to the sound of surf & chirping birds at a location less than 50 miles from home. In short, I’m having a a stay-cation experience. As it happens, my staycation is at
From Catalog Shopping to Amazon
As Amazon shoppers continue receiving the items they purchased on Prime day, it seems a good time to consider shopping habits from years long ago. Before internet shopping and neighborhood shopping malls, there was the General Store that sold a little bit of everything. If the store didn’t have it, the consumer probably didn’t need
Amazon Prime Day & Other Trivia
Are You Ready for Prime Day? If you haven’t already started reviewing Amazon’s extensive inventory, you can shop til your fingers drop on Amazon Prime Day from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time tomorrow, July 16. This year the July shopping spree for Prime members ends Wednesday, July 17 at 11:59 p.m. PDT. The first Amazon
Baking 4 + 20 Blackbirds Into a Pie
I’ve been researching 17th century wedding customs this week and a 1685 recipe for Bride’s Pye caught my imagination. Bride’s Pye included all manner of ingredients that seemed a bit unusual from my perspective, though I admit I am not the most adventurous eater. Examples include cock stones and combs [roosters’ testicles and the combs on
The Statue of Liberty: France’s Gift to America
The first time I saw the Statue of Liberty was in 1963, the year this photo was taken. My grandparents, in a spirit of incredible courage & generosity, took my cousins & I on a car trip to see American monuments across the United States. We took the ferry across from a pier in Lower
Congress Approves Women’s Right to Vote
On June 4, 1919 Congress approved the 19th Amendment, also known as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, which states that “The rights of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have the power to enforce
THE REMEMBRANCE POPPY & MOINA MICHAEL
In April 1917 the United States entered what is now known as World War I in alliance with the Britain, France, and Russia against the Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire. According to Americans favoring intervention in the predominantly European war, this war would Make the World Safe for Democracy as well as being
Katherine Naylor: Petition for Divorce Granted
When we left Katherine Naylor in my previous blog, she was 33 years old, a widow with two children and substantial property. In 17th century Puritan New England, widows did not remain unmarried very long, especially if there was property involved. In Puritan culture, marriage was an equal partnership, but the husband was the undisputed
