While my own expertise is in still photography, I have come to know someone with a similar passion for supporting local history education who works primarily in video format. Mickey Franz’s YouTube channel is worth watching, especially if you live in, or plan to travel to, the tri-state area of NY, NJ, and PA. The…
Using Your Head … and Your Heart
Why is Mount Vernon so well funded? An obvious reason is that it’s the home of our first president, and therefore commands a certain amount of respect and a special place in our American history. What you may not be aware of is that Mount Vernon receives absolutely no government funding and relies entirely on…
A Worthwhile Organization Whose Priorities are Misguided
Since this is my blog, you already understand that what I say here is just my opinion. Quite some time ago, I applauded the work of the Civil War Trust in coming to the aid of Princeton Battlefield and its fight to save 15 acres of land from the developer’s shovel. With money from a very…
So I’ve Noticed…
Now that I live in Pennsylvania, I’ve observed that the houses and barns in this area built in the 18th and 19th centuries are still being used as primary residences and workspaces. That means that the types of structures I have become accustomed to photographing in Wisconsin are not available to shoot in this area….
An Overdue Update
Pardon my tardiness…I haven’t posted a new blog since February, primarily because my wife and I moved from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania. Now that we’ve basically completed that relocation (and the cartons are mostly unpacked), I find myself thinking about all the wonderful people I had the privilege of working with back in the greater Ozaukee…
Is Our Money Being Spent Wisely?
There are three federally funded programs that are involved in capturing and preserving information about old and historic structures. The oldest of these programs is the Historic American Buildings Survey, or HABS, under the auspices of the National Park Service. Back in 1933, when the US was deep into an economic depression that began in…
Time to Celebrate Unsung Heroes
Jared Polin and Mike Tamborrino are two of the many photographers who gladly give their time and efforts practicing photography for the public good. Check out Jared’s latest YouTube video, where he shot stills and video for a Special Olympics event pro bono. His video, I hope, will go far in convincing other photographers that…
A Catalog Company & So Much More
Recently, I came upon an old online newsletter published by the North Manchester Historical Society, Inc., dating back to February, 1997. In it is the story of Jas. Townsend and Sons, Inc., probably the largest and most complete source for reproductions of clothing and implements used in colonial America in the 18th century. This is…
Ten Crucial Days
I hope that you all had a wonderful holiday season, with a chance to relax and rest up for the year ahead. I took time off from blogging, which is why this post is a little late. It would have made more sense to have let you know about these two yearly reenactments before they…
Stuff
Have you had a chance to hear George Carlin’s observations about “Stuff”? If you weren’t a teenager or college student in the 1970s and 1980s, you might not know that George Carlin was a popular stand-up comedian whose comedy could often be taken as biting social commentary. You can view this particular routine of Carlin’s…
