Day 12 at Gettysburg

Where did the battle of Gettysburg start? Was it Mcpherson’s farm? Let me check my notes. Oh, yes! I believe I have that written down seven times, so it bust be. The picture’s not too  bad for as fast as the bus was traveling.

This was a very sobering trip. To be where the battles actually took place and so many men lost their lives was very emotional. I have deep admiration and respect for people who believe so strongly in something that they would die and kill like this in order to attain a life for others that they themselves will never live to see. Those trying to sucede felt that their rights were being threatened, and those fighting against them were fighting desperately to keep the integrity of this country intact. What would have happened if it ended differently? Thank God it didn’t.

It makes me shudder to think that we killed each other during this war. Brothers against brothers, fathers against sons, neighbor against neighbor. How strong their convictions!

 

This is a headstone I saw in the soldiers’ cemetery. There were six killed from the unit from Illinois. The name on it is Jacob J. Noel. My grandfather was a Noel and he was from Carlisle, Illinois. I’m going to research this to see if it is family. I believe the chances are great that it is.

In first grade we do not teach the Civil War. However, we do read many books. I am glad that I now have the knowledge and background to be able to better explain things to my students. One of their favorite book series is the Magic Tree House series. They always have questions about the time they are reading about. Now I am more confident with the answers and discussions.

 

 

 

 

Day 11 at Winterthur

I have been looking forward to visting Winterthur since we received the syllabus for this class way back when. I really didn’t know what to expect, but I knew the Du Pont Estate had to be a sight (and site) to see. It was more than I expected!

 

The grounds and the house were beautiful. They made up for the lecture that started us off. In her defense, the economic progression in the Atlantic World is very interesting and a great subject for debate, but enough was enough. Besides, I was freezing in that room!

The best part of the tour was the classroom activities. There were some things that will tie in perfectly with my lesson plan. Students will better understand how trade has evolved in the world. They will also come away with an understanding of the importance of each person’s contribution to our society through developing and using our skills.

As I toured the gardens I couldn’t help picturing what it would have been like to be a child growing up on these lovely, peaceful grounds. I also am amazed at the work and planning (and fortunes)it took to create this enchanted garden.

The other thing that struck me about the house/museum, is how much fun H.F. DuPont must have had using his creativity in designing the rooms. It’s amazing what you can do if money is not object!

What a wonderful day! We ended it with a lovely dinner a most charming brew pub.

 

Day 10 – Slavery/Civil War Lectures

College Hall was a fitting place to hear David Waldstreicher and Robert Engs talk to us about slavery; Waldstreicher’s perspective on colonial slavery, more specifically Ben Franklin’s, and Robert Eng’s on the Civil War. Both were very interesting and kept me entranced with their words. That’s one thing I miss about teaching older students, being able to present some thought-provoking ideas to be debated and researched. This subject is far beyond the 6-year-old mind!

After leaving the campus, we went to the University Book Store, then had lunch at our favorite pub, New Deck. To get downtown (or uptown?) we took the 34th Street subway terminal. What a different world on that side of the bridge! Had I known that, I would have been taking that way all the time! Much nicer!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started for the Franklin Court Underground Museum. I was a bit disappointed. Nothing in it was authentic. They seemed to grasp at straws to think of something different to display. There were models of the American Philosophical Society and I can’t remember what other building. There was a huge diarama of Franklin in a center courtyard talking to people about his opinion of the Constitution. That was pretty nice.

 

We trapsed around town and saw several sites, none of which turned my crank much. The Carpenters’ Museum had plaques with members’ names. I take it, this is like a carpenters’ union? Frankly, I think Philly has more museums than most states have. They are enamoured with old Ben! 

Day 9 – American Philosophical Society and Atwater/Kent Museum

I’ll go ahead and say what everybody’s thinking…Man, it’s hot here! The heat about did me in today. Well enough said…

 

Today was another trip on the subway to get downtown. If I lived here, I would be taking that subway train instead of driving any day! The traffic is crazy and the subway is FAST! Well, before you know it we’re at our destination, The American Philosophical Society. It was awe-inspiring to be in a place where such great thinkers have been meeting for many, many years. The original documents were beautiful as well as thought provoking. I am impressed with not only what they said and how they said it, but their beautiful handwriting. Will we lose this skill as our society progresses? I’ve had pricipals who said that teaching handwriting is a waste of time and money. Because of word processors, people don’t have to worry about handwriting. At the time I thought, it’s not like we will be carrying a computer and printer in our pockets. Well, low and behold, we are carrying computers in our pockets! However, now I worry about another problem that our society faces because of this. What is texting going to do to our spelling abilities? Will we go full circle and the arts of writing and spelling will be prevelent again someday? I doubt it.

Another thing that struck me was what our tour guide, Ursula said. She said that these great philosophers had one rule. You can disagree, but no personal attacks. If there’s anything I’d like to emphasize in my classroom, it’s respect for each other. Short little comments can say volumes. Always keep it respectful.   

Day 8 – Amish Country

I have learned so much on this trip! Sadly, one thing I’ve learned is that what I thought I knew, I really didn’t. In my classroom, if I don’t know a topic I will research it so that what I tell my students is true. If I’m not sure about something I tell them that and then I find out and get back to them. Well, I’m embarrassed to say that there are things I thought I knew to be true that I am finding out were not. I had no reason to question myself because I shared what I was taught. One of those topics is the Amish. I never was very sure what the difference between the Amish and Menonites is but I knew that the Amish don’t drive cars and Menonites do. I’m happy that this is true, but there are a host of other facts that I have led my students astray. I have always believed Amish to live in self-contained communities. I thought they dealt only with each other and only sold their wares to the outsiders, like an export only market.

Today has shown me so much more of these gentle, simple people. They have chosen a life-style that is simple and relatively free of unhealthy stress. They live within communities of non-Amish. I now know what anabaptists are. They are not the only religion who practices baptism at a later age. Mormons (Latter Day Saints) also baptize later, but not as adults. They baptize on the child’s eighth birthday. However, I have not heard Mormons refered to as anabaptists, but again, I’m not sure of that.

Today was the best day of the whole trip. The countryside was beautiful and the people were beautiful. Did I understand correctly that Ada is 90 years old? Ben looked to be about 13 and his dad didn’t look much older than 17, which is how old Ben really is. It’s amazing what a simple, wholesome life does for the body and soul!

Day 7 – Philadelphia Museum of Art

In all honesty, I was not that excited to go to this museum. Was I pleasantly surprised! I was awestruck at the items I saw. I have a new favorite artist, Thomas Eakins. His paintings are so exquisite. He shows such detail and emotion. I saw things today that I would never have the opportunity to see at Colorado. I was so moved by it all.

The wing with the armor was also breath taking. I have never laid my eyes on anything so … Renaissance! I know it was pre-Revolutionary War time, but it was exciting to see, none the less.Our guide at the Art Museum was wonderful. She knew the appropriate items to spend time showing us. She didn’t labor over the items she found to be her favorite. She explained the history of the museum and some interesting information, but didn’t overdue it.

I thoroughly enjoyed the relaxing pace that was set today. 

Day 6 – Washington’s Crossing and Monmouth

 Again, the countryside is beautiful. It boggles my mind that it took them so long to cross the Delaware with all those men, horses, and artillery. That sure is a long time to think what’s about to happen and get very wary of it all. How brave the soldiers were; and what a leader and G.W. was. 

(Right here is supposed to be the famous picture of Washington crossing the Delaware. You’ve seen the picture, right? Good, because it didn’t turn out. I can put it in, but it’s just a black rectangle. So, just imagine that it’s right here. Instead is a picture of the spot and how it looks today.)

 

Monmouth was really beautiful also. As wickedly hot and humid as it was today, it was especially appropriate since the weather was the same those many years ago. How they marched, fought, ran, retreated, marched, and fought some more in those conditions is beyond my imagination. To think that in December the conditions were the extreme opposite. At Washington’s crossing and the others’ attempts to cross, they were actually freezing to death. At Monmouth, they were dying from heat exhaustion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The cemetery was so beautiful with its rolling hills, green grass, and huge trees. The gravestone that was most interesting to me was the first one I saw walking into the cemetery. It was a little girl’s who was one year, three months and fourteen days old when she died. What caught my eye was the skull with angel wings on the top of the stone. Very eerie! (Sorry I can’t rotate the picture.)

The other thing I find fascinating is the grand white oak that was the only tree still standing that was originally there at the cemetery. Beautiful!

                                                                

Day 5 – The Franklin Institute

 

 

What a brilliant man was B. Franklin! He had such an investigative mind and inquisitive spirit. I question things all the time, like “how does that work?’ One of the many differences between Ben and me is that he found out how it works. I just keep wondering.

The Institute is a great place to take students on a field trip. I just wish it was a couple thousand miles closer to Colorado. I felt like a kid myself pushing buttons, turning knobs, and lifting flaps. I was also amazed at how much blood I have in my body! I’m also ashamed to say that I don’t remember my blood type.

The artifacts that we were fortunate to view were wonderful. It amazes me that I was holding the tankard that Ben actually drank from. The luke warm ale doesn’t appeal to me, but back then I’m sure it quenched the thirst! 

Day 4 at The Constitution Center

The best part of this day was definitely Carol Berkin. What a card! I knew that I’d like her because her personality comes out in her book, but I didn’t realize how charming she would be. I loved her stories, especially the explanation for “the rule of thumb.” I’ve always loved idioms and have fun getting students’ explanations for them. I think it will be fun to see what kids think “rule of thumb” means. Their explanations are always funnier than the real thing. However, I don’t think I’ll give them the true reason for the saying. It’s rather harsh to think that husbands were not only allowed to beat their wives, but encouraged to. You know how evil and stupid we women are!

The bronze statues of the Signers were amazing. They seemed so real. The artist seem to capture some kind of personality in each of them.

Well, the most interesting part of the day was Carol Berkin,  but the most exciting part was the evacuation from our dorms. The worst part of that was climbing eleven flights of stairs. We waited for the elevators to be reset, but gave up and started climbing. At first, it was just us “old fogies” who took the stairs. The students here refused. Then as I prodded my way up floor by floor, kids started passing me by. I must say that I did pass some catching their breath in between flights. So, to be friendly, I had to join them. I didn’t want to make them feel bad! 

Day 3 at Princeton

Day 3 at Princeton

 

The misty, rainy weather set the perfect scene for our trip to the Princeton Battlefield. I could have listened to our field guide all day describe the details of the events leading up to the battle and the battle itself. I was surprised to find out that Washington was successful in winning only four battles. It’s also amazing how much pure luck along with the brilliant tactical maneuvering is involved in war.

 

The Quaker cemetery where the signer, Stockton, was buried was very humbling, peaceful and somehow calming.

 

Princeton University is deserving of its outstanding reputation. The chapel is more of what I consider a cathedral. Its beautiful stained glass windows and architectural structure make it a magnificent place of worship.

 

Touring the Princeton Museum was surprising. I was expecting more colonial history so the 1930s theme was a jolt of reality. After all, history is always in the making.

 

Einstein’s home, among all of the others was a treat to see. Palmer Square was very beautiful and peaceful. It was sad to hear that many people were displace to make much more than a garden that ties in old and new. I walked down the street and found that Palmer Square was not just the quaint garden, but many very posh, upscale shops and boutiques. I don’t blame the ethnic groups involved in the displacement ( Italian and Blacks) to be very disgruntled.

 

All in all, I was very pleasantly surprised with the beauty of the day. The pizza was good, too, Jonathan!