“The ‘Cockpit’ of the American Revolution”

“New Jersey remained a constantly contested battleground where Loyalist and Patriot militias fought for supplies, land, and influence” (5).

The Book

The American Revolution in New Jersey: Where the Battlefront Meets the Home Front edited by James J. Gigantion II, explores the experience of the residents of New Jersey during the Revolutionary War from different aspects. The book is divided into two parts: “A Revolutionary Experience” and “The Impact of the Revolutionary Experience”.

Part One walks the reader through five areas: the militia, illegal trade, iron and salt production, the Battle of Fort Lee, and the arrival of the French military. Part Two explores the impact on local economy, religious organizations, slavery, and Loyalist residents. Instead of outlining each section here, a preview will be provided to present a look at what the reader can expect. In the militia essay of Part One, the reader learns that being a part of the militia was extremely difficult. A part-time job as soldier was not easily balanced with the full-time job of farmer or craftsmen. The laws and enforcement of the militia often fluctuated and their homes were often ransacked by British troops. In the sections on religious organizations and slavery in Part Two, the reader learns that the Quakers led the charge to abolish slavery in New Jersey and many abolitionists linked the Declaration of Independence with the call to end slavery.

The American Revolution in New Jersey is an edited book composed of a variety of essays looking at the impact of the war. It is well-written in the academic genre, but it is also easy to read. The essays are in-depth and interesting, relying on many testimonies from the residents of New Jersey. The chapters easily stand-alone, allowing the reader to pick and choose where to start.

The Place

Red Bank Battlefield Park is one of the many locations in New Jersey that commemorates where the American forces fought for Independence from Great Britain. The park is on land originally owned by the Whitall family. During a battle between American forces and Hessian soldiers, their home was used as a field hospital.

Today, visitors can walk the grounds along the Delaware River every day except Christmas and New Year’s. The Whitall home is open seasonally and provides a glimpse into Colonial life. Our family often visited Red Bank Battlefield Park for a day. It provides something for the kid (playgrounds), nature lover (grounds to discover and piers to walk to the end of), and the history buff (plaques, cannons, and the Whitall house). 

One Hundred Years of Memories

“Locals referred to [Gatlinburg] simply as ‘the Burg’” (57).

The Book

A Lifetime in Gatlinburg: Martha Cole Whaley Remembers provides readers a rare opportunity: the sense of listening to an individual retell the stories of her life. As you read, it feels like you are sitting in a room with Martha Cole Whalely and are learning of all the changes that took place in Gatlinburg, TN.

Author Marie Maddox presents a dual biography to the reader: Gatlinburg, TN and Cole Whaley (a resident of the area for over 100 years). The reader learns what it was like to grow up in an area that is now part of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Then, is introduced to the emergence of the hotel and tourism industry; Cole Whaley and her husband managed a hotel for many years. Finally, the reader hears Cole Whaley explain her hobbies, secret for longevity, and famous recipes.

A Lifetime in Gatlinburg presents a slice of Americana to the reader. The book is interspersed with personal photographs and ones from various archives. The chapters are short, easy to read, and written in a conversational style. It would have been nice to have more about Gatlinburg’s growth itself, to provide context with Cole Whaley’s stories.  This book is something many of us think of doing with our older relatives or friends-put to paper all of their experiences and stories.

The Place
Gatlinburg and its neighbor Pigeon Forge are known for their variety of attractions. Of course, there is the Great Smoky Mountain NationalPark, where visitors can participate in a variety of outdoor activities. Gatlinburg has a great downtown area packed with shopping, restaurants, and family fun. When I visited, we had the chance to check out the Hollywood Star Cars Museum and the Guinness World Records Museum. In Pigeon Forge, visitors will find more museums and family fun, as well as Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s amusement park. We spent a day at Dollywood and it was a blast.

In this area of Tennessee there is truly something for everyone: outdoor, indoor, shopping, restaurants, museums, theme parks, and shows. It has changed a lot over Cole Whaley’s lifetime, but Gatlinburg and its neighbors are still open for visitors. 

Shaping of a President

“Coming to the village like ‘a piece of floating driftwood,’ as [Lincoln] said, he had worked his way up to a position of leadership not only in New Salem but in the state as well” (134).

The Book

The purpose of Lincoln’s New Salem is to introduce the reader to a time that shaped Abraham Lincoln’s life. Author, Benjamin P. Thomas argues that the six years (1831-1837) Lincoln spent in New Salem influenced many of his skills and abilities: leadership, reputation, politics, law, public speaking, and debate to name a few.

Thomas splits the book into three sections, the history of New Salem, Lincoln’s time in New Salem, and the restoration of New Salem. Part One explores the frontier era and what life was like for the average pioneer. Thomas also touches on the people, businesses, and growth of New Salem. Part Two comprises the bulk of the book. Here the reader learns of Lincoln’s arrival in town and the various jobs he held. Lincoln quickly earned the reputation of courageous, strong, honest, and truthful. It is in New Salem where Lincoln first runs for political office and begins to educate himself, ultimately settling on reading the law. In 1837, Lincoln was admitted to the Illinois State Bar and moved to Springfield (the new state capitol). Part Three provides the reader with a look at the growth of the Lincoln legend, after his assassination, which led to an interest in Lincoln pre-presidency. That interest led to restoration efforts in New Salem, as well as in Kentucky and Indiana.

Lincoln’s New Salem was originally published in 1954, 32 years after restoration began of the New Salem village. Thomas is considered a Lincoln scholar and lends credibility to this in-depth look at six years of Lincoln’s life. Lincoln’s New Salem is well-written, although it is a straight history book full of details regarding Lincoln and the frontier of central Illinois. Sometimes, the reader can get lost in the lists of facts or descriptions, but the detail does help the reader visualize Lincoln’s world.

The Place

Lincoln’s New Salem provides visitors the chance to walk the streets of the village Lincoln called home for six years. Numerous buildings, including log homes, were restored and filled with period furniture. The New Salem Mill, a significant part of the village, was also restored.

New Salem has Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter specific hours, so make sure to check the website prior to visiting. Throughout the year, there are various events and the campground is open from April to October. My family visited for a day, tied to a weekend spent exploring Lincoln sites in the Springfield, IL area. One of the unique aspects of Lincoln’s New Salem is the opportunity to learn about the Lincoln before his time as a lawyer or as the president.

Go Army! Beat Navy!

“On, brave old Army team; On to the fray: Fight on to victory, For that’s the fearless Army way” (35-36).

The Book

A Team for America: The Army-Navy Game that Rallied a Nation at War, by Randy Roberts, is a look at America and college football during World War II. While the main focus is one specific game, the book spends most of its pages helping the reader understand why this game was so important.

In the 1930s, the football team at the United States Military Academy (USMA/Army) was struggling. It couldn’t beat its major rivals (including Notre Dame and the United States Naval Academy) and the size of the team was small. In January 1941, the Superintendent of USMA recruited Earl Blaik to turn the team around. In three short years, Blaik introduced the T-formation, recruited standout players, and pushed towards national recognition. The reader learns about Blaik’s coaching style, the changes going on in college football, and key players on the Army team. Always present in the narrative is the reality of World War II and the impact it had on teams, fans, and travel.

During the 1944 season, the national press began to compare the success of Army’s football team to the success of the Army across Europe. Suddenly, there was an even brighter national spotlight on the team. Roberts says, “The 1944 Army-Navy game was widely described as the most important game of football ever played in America” (213). Most Americans had a family member either deployed, in the military, or working on the Homefront. Americans were also war-weary and ready for a return to life before the war. The game was a battle, but Army won 23-7.

Roberts writes in a way that draws the reader into the excitement and crescendos in the last couple of chapters focused on the 1944 game. It is easy to read and would appeal to fans of history, football, or the Army. In a way, the reader encounters a unique perspective: World War II through the lens of football. 

The Place
The Army-Navy Football Game is the last game of the regular season and is typically played in Philadelphia (about equidistant from the two academies). It is truly an incredible experience. My family was able to attend twice during the time my brother was a Cadet at the United States Military Academy. When you attend the Army-Navy Game, you are in for more than college football. Both academies take turns marching onto the field and spectators cheer for the future Army and Navy leaders. Army helicopters and Navy jets fly over the field and the Army Black Knight parachutes to the sidelines. While much as changed since the 1944 Army-Navy Game, the patriotic excitement is still felt at present day games.

The only downside to attending the game is the time of year it is played: the first or second week of December. It is often cold and the day can bring rain, snow, and/or sleet. I would recommend wearing numerous layers. Tickets are required, there is ample parking (for a fee) at the stadium, and the Philadelphia area provides a variety of hotels, restaurants, and things to see. 

Ohio's Oldest Continuous Business

“Business had come and gone, presidents and heads of state had changed innumerable times, boundaries had changed, even names of countries, but [the Golden Lamb was] still there” (p. 164).

The Book

Author Fred Compton worked at the Golden Lamb for twenty-eight years and introduces the reader to a world of American history and antiques. The Golden Lamb was originally built as a one-story log tavern in 1803. Since then, it has grown into a four-story brick structure that serves as a hotel and restaurant.

The Golden Lamb is more than a business, it is a hands-on museum full of antique and Shaker furniture that is in daily use. Compton singles out specific pieces that are legendary to regular guests and customers. He regales the reader with stories about Christmas preparations, menus, and famous guests. Each of the hotel rooms are named for a specific guest that visited the Golden Lamb: from Charles Dickens and Harriet Beecher Stowe to 12 different presidents (from William Henry Harrison to George W. Bush).

The Golden Lamb: Tales from the Innside is organized topically, as opposed to chronologically. For someone looking for a specific history, this can be confusing. However, this organization works for a coffee table book and the story telling style Compton uses. The reader feels like she is having a conversation with Compton, hearing what memories pop into his mind. This makes for easy and fast reading. As a reader, I would have liked to have seen more photographs and a bit more history included to help bolster the stories.

The Place
The Golden Lamb offers several ways to walk in the footsteps of history. Visitors to Lebanon, OH can stay overnight in one of the rooms named for distinguished guests, dine in the restaurant, or explore the gift shop.

When I visited, I was able to simply explore the floors of the Golden Lamb. A tour of the building allows you to see the various rooms, collection of Shaker furniture, and other antique pieces. In addition to the restaurant housed in the Golden Lamb, there is also an old-fashioned ice cream parlor across the street- The Village Parlor. For visitors interesting in shopping, downtown Lebanon provides several antique and boutique shops to browse. 

Struggle for the Upper Hand

“Mr. President, what’s this about Japan?” asked Churchill. 

“It’s quite true,” the President confirmed. “They have attacked us at Pearl Harbor. We are all in the same boat now” (60).

The Book

The Mantle of Command: FDR at War, 1941-1942 by Nigel Hamilton focuses on a very specific era of FDR’s presidency-a few months prior to Pearl Harbor through the success of Allied forces in North Africa. While it is a specific era, it is not short of anecdotes and intriguing information regarding the early days of America’s involvement in World War II.

Hamilton begins by telling of FDR’s August 1941 meeting with Winston Churchill. The goals of these two men couldn’t have been more different for this meeting: FDR wanted to listen, provide supplies and weapons, and discuss a future peace agreement; Churchill wanted to develop a strategy to win the war with America’s help. The main takeaway from the meeting was a future peace agreement: the Atlantic Charter (later to become “A Declaration by the United Nations”). Hamilton then provides the reader with the following events: Pearl Harbor, loss of the Philippines, failures of British forces in the East, and the Allied invasion of North Africa. 

One of the most interesting parts of this biography are the two struggles FDR encounters. First, is the struggle between FDR and his military generals. It appears that the two had different ideas for the majority of this time period. The generals wanted a preemptive strike on Japan, FDR demurred because it was not typical of American action and many Americans were still isolationists. Once America entered World War II, the generals wanted a cross-Channel invasion of France (precursor to D-Day). However, FDR recognized the difficulty of such a move and pushed for an invasion of North Africa. The second struggle was between FDR and the rising American power, and Churchill and the fading British empire. Both had different views about how and where to strike, in addition to the preservation of the British empire.

The Mantle of Command is a well-written and insightful account of these two years. Hamilton attempts to tell FDR’s side of the story and relies heavily on first-person accounts and letters. To truly understand the global nature of this story, the backgrounds of key players and occurrences are included. 1941-1942 involved much more than America’s preparation to enter World War II and avenge the attack at Pearl Harbor. The book does go into military and political detail, which could be difficult for some readers. In the first half of the book, Hamilton often editorializes in the nature of an italicized question directed at the reader. It feels more like an astonished aside that can jar the reader out of the narrative. But, overall, The Mantel of Command presents a new insight into a significant era of American and world history.

The Place

The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is located by 
the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. It is a memorial unlike the others on the National Mall because it focuses on storytelling. The Memorial is split into four rooms that depict each of FDR’s four terms in office. Each room includes quotes, statutes depicting specific events, and a water feature.

As a part of the National Park Service, entrance is free. If you enjoy reading and spending time in the memorials, plan your schedule accordingly. Due to its size, there is a lot of walking to move through each outdoor room. The first time I visited, it was pouring; the bulk of my time was spent in a small Visitor Center. Before visiting, make sure to check the weather forecast. 

Setting the Stage

“The Turner Opera House [later the Victoria Theater] was hailed as the most beautiful theater west of Philadelphia” (11).

The Book

The Victoria Theatre in Dayton, Ohio experienced name changes, disasters, renovations, star performers, and epic performances throughout its history. Authors Bruce and Virginia Ronald introduce this storied history in Now Playing: An Informal History of the Victoria Theatre.

In 1866, the Turner Opera House opened after two years of construction. However, the first disaster occurred in 1869 when the Opera House burned down with only the front façade surviving. The Music Hall opened in 1871, was renamed the Victoria Theatre in 1899, the 1913 Dayton flood ruined the interior, and in 1918 the theatre burned again. In addition, the Victoria Theatre struggled with management, theatre goers, and finances.

Despite all this, the Theatre provided entertainment for the people of Dayton-bringing well-known performers and lavish productions. Some of the people to perform at the Victoria Theatre were:  Buffalo Bill, Harry Houdini, Ethel Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Henry Fonda, Rex Harrison, and Anna Pavlowa. Lecturers also stopped at the Victoria: Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and William Jennings Bryan. Productions included a massive live cast for Ben-Hur, touring companies, and stock companies.

In 1971 the Victoria Theatre was in danger of being turn down. Residents of Dayton worked hard to save the theatre and in 1989 a full-scale renovation was made possible through local donations. When it re-opened in 1990, the lobby and double staircase were close replicas of the 1871 design.

Now Playing: An Informal History of the Victoria Theatre is just what is says: an informal history. The book is comprised of short snippets (making for a quick read or a coffee table book) that are organized topically and chronologically. Readers interested in Dayton theatre history or even American theatre history will find this book engaging. Sometimes it is difficult to determine when the authors are discussing Dayton theatre history or American theatre history. However, Now Playing: An Informal History of the Victoria Theatre provides a glimpse into the development of theatre in America, through the lens of Dayton, Ohio.

The Place

Today, the Victoria Theatre still operates live theatre, a ballet studio, and a summer film series. Live theatre is what the Victoria Theatre was designed for, however, for visitors on a budget the summer film series is the way to go. For $6 you can view a classic film and have free popcorn and soda in the lobby.

There are ample opportunities for area residents or visitors to take in the marble grand staircase in the lobby or the green décor in the auditorium. When you attend a performance or summer film, make sure to take time to appreciate the architecture inside and out. The details on the light fixtures in the auditorium reveal the craftsmanship from years ago and the classic lobby remind visitors they are stepping back in time.