History Around Us
I’ve always been drawn to the quiet reminders of the past, plaques, statues, and weathered stones that hold the memory of lives once lived. Exploring these traces connects me to those who came before and deepens my appreciation for the world we share.
Recent Posts
Sam Wilson Statue – Troy, NY
Stopping for breakfast in Troy, N.Y. and wandering its historic streets is exactly the kind of detour that leads to unexpected discoveries. Here we found this intriguing statue of Sam Wilson, the man widely believed to be the real-life inspiration of “Uncle Sam” The monument stands in Riverfront Park overlooking the Hudson, portraying Wilson as a working […]
Millmore’s Confederate Statue – Framingham
Standing outside the Framingham History Center is a powerful piece of the town’s history: a Civil war memorial sculpture created by the noted nineteenth century artist Martin Millmore. Millmore, an Irish-born sculptor who became one of Massachusetts’ more prolific creators of war memorial, is known for honoring ordinary citizens who answered extraordinary calls to service. His works appear in communities across […]
Horace Greeley Stature – New York
Some of the most powerful stories of history are expressed not just in words, but in bronze and stone in the sculptures and monuments that mark the lives of those who have shaped the nation. One such figure commemorated in New York City is Horace Greeley, whose statue stands today in City Hall Park. This is […]
Vault Alarm – Citizens Bank Natick
Looking up, above the street level to the second floor of the Citizens Bank in Natick, I noticed a small metal box mounted on the exterior wall. It reads: Vault Alarm This is a relic from a time when security was mechanical. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, banks were designed to safeguard […]
Odd Fellows – Lancaster County, PA
As we traveled through Lancaster County, PA, a simple bench caught my attention. I took this photo to remind myself to explore the Odd Fellows. Who were the Odd Fellows, why such an unusual name? My curiosity led me to explore more. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is one of the oldest fraternal benefit […]
Henry Knox in Framingham
In Framingham, Massachusetts, there stands a granite block bearing an inscription that is easy to pass by without a second glance. Yet the words carved into this stone marks one of the most daring feats of the American Revolution: “Through this place passed Henry Knox in the winter of 1775–1776 to deliver to General George Washington […]
Goldenrod – York Maine
Every year, I travel to York Maine, to revisit many of the usual sites. One of these places is The Goldenrod, a place that feels as timeless as the tides rolling onto Short Sands Beach. No trip to York is complete without stepping inside this landmark, where the air is sweet with the scent of […]
Gibson House Museum – Boston
When visiting the Gibson House Museum in Boston, this colorful tin caught my eye in the kitchen. Baker’s Breakfast Cocoa, the title sparked my curiosity. The tin was produced by Walter Baker & Co, the oldest continuously operating chocolate manufacturer in the United States. Founded in the late 1700s, in Massachusetts, Baker’s became a household […]
Alexander Hamilton Statue in Boston
I love walking the Commonwealth Avenue Mall and pausing to take in the sculptures that line the path. Each one is placed not just to decorate the boulevard but also to invite reflection. One of the most prominent is the statute of Alexander Hamilton. I found myself wondering why Hamilton, who never lived in Boston. […]
Union Oyster House
Walking along the Freedom Trail in Boston, it is easy to miss the plaque outside the Union Oyster House. But if you pass it by, you are missing not only a good meal, but an extraordinary chapter in American history. The Union Oyster House is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the United States, serving diners […]
Chief Niwot
All around the Niwot area of Colorado, the name Left Hand appears on creeks, trails and the town itself. Standing before this statue and plaque in a small park, I felt drawn to understand who he was and why his memory endures. Chief Niwot, whose name in Arapaho means Left Hand, was a 19th century leader […]
Edgar Allen Poe Statue
This is a statue of Edgar Allan Poe on the sidewalk along Boylston Street in Boston. He is caught in mid-stride, coat swirling with a raven perched atop a stack of books at his feet. The placement of this statue is intentional and rooted in Poe’s relationship with the city where his life began. Poe […]
