Tag: delaware

Talking About Delaware and the Civil War

Orders for the District of Delaware and Eastern Shore of Maryland from President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary Seward. Image Courtesy of the Delaware Public Archives
Orders for the District of Delaware and Eastern Shore of Maryland from President Abraham Lincoln and Secretary Seward. Image Courtesy of the Delaware Public Archives

New Castle County Reads 2013 has selected the book March by Geraldine Brooks at its feature title for discussions and programming in 2013.  The north is reeling under a series of unexpected defeats during the darkest days of the Civil War in this extraordinary novel, as Mr. March leaves his family to aid the Union cause.  The author tells the story of the absent father going off to war and the reopening of past relationships in the process.

To support New Castle County Reads 2013, the library system is hosting a number of Civil War themed programs this spring.  On April 7th, at the Bear Branch Library, I will be talking about the Mason and Dixon Line and the Civil War and the C & D Canal and the War.  These programs are supported by the Delaware Humanities Forum.

When I did the talk about the C & D Canal and the Civil War at the New Castle Public Library on March 27th, we had an informed, lively discussion.  Members of the Delaware Civil War Roundtable and Friends of Fort Delaware were there.  During the evening we talked about a number of seldom used sources that serve as evidentiary traces for exploring the old canal’s important role in the war. There is a lot to this story that hasn’t been investigated and it was an enjoyable evening discussing matters with this group.

canal 143a
Storm clouds over the C & D Canal and the replica of the Bethel Lighthouse in the summer of 2012.

 

 

The C & D Canal During the Civil War – A Talk at New Castle Public Library

New Castle County Reads 2013 has chosen March by Geraldine Brooks as its feature book this year.  The fascinating novel takes places during the dark years of the Civil War, as the north reels under a series of unexpected defeats and a father, Mr. March, goes off to aid the Union cause.  The New Castle County Library System is hosting a series of related programs to support the book discussion groups so I have been asked to talk about the C & D Canal during those troubling years.

There are many primary sources to help support a discussion such as this.  One, which I have found to be particularly insightful is a diary of a C & D Canal official.  During those unsettled times, the officer in charge of the waterway across the peninsula kept a daily journal of happenings on the Peninsula.  The talk takes place on Wednesday evening, March 26, at 7:00 p.m. at the New Castle Library.  This is a Delaware Humanities Forum program.

In the vicinity of the pump-house men are examining the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in 1867.
In the vicinity of the pump-house men are examining the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal in 1867.

 

Learning about Delaware history at Old Court House Museum

My Wilmington University Delaware History class visited the New Castle Court House Museum for a practical learning opportunity offered by the Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs Tuesday evening.  For over an hour and a half our knowledgeable docent, Brian, guided us through centuries of Delaware’s colonial and pre-Civil War history.  We heard about the contact period, initial settlement patterns, the evolution of law and government, the Underground Railroad and some major trials in the old courthouse during those quickly passing minutes

This was a great, engaging way to present applied lessons for a group examining Delaware’s history this semester.  Flawlessly Brian linked the history and culture of the place that was once the capital of the State to our studies of the past.   He was an excellent facilitator and explained some complicated matters in an engaging ways that related to the audience.

The Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs always provides excellent programming.  Each time I attend one of their events I leave impressed and my class departs with more understanding of First State heritage.  They know how to present relevant and engaging history lessons and these instructive programs are lively.

We have such valuable and supportive resources nearby for those of studying the past in the First State.  Thank you Brian and Old Court House Museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Historic Digital Maps of Maryland and Delaware Are Just a Click Away on New Website

Map of part of road from Philadelphia to Annapolis published in 1789 by Christopher Colles. Sources: David Rumsey Collection

Digital resources available to researchers have grown enormously in recent years, making the work of researchers much easier as sought after data is often just a few clicks away. Maps are one of those areas of growth as they’ve been scanned by special collections institutions, making them virtually available on demand.

I was recently made aware of a valuable new repository for researchers, Old Maps Online. This free resource serves an easy to use portal to historical maps in libraries around the world, allowing users to search for online digital historical maps across numerous different collections via a geographical search engine. It’s contributors include the New York Public Library, the David Rumsey Collection, the British Library and many more.

I’ve been using it for a few months now to access material to help with classroom lectures and public talks. It’s making items that are stored deeply away in distant, special collections institutions easily available.

In addition, you will find a number of other links to map resources on my links research page. 

Beers Atlas of Delaware, Newark Page, 1868: Source: Rumsey Map Collection