History
Stories and inspiration from a place and time in the world.
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Wanderlust Patterns: Swedish Folk Collection
Before we went to Sweden, I took in as many books and stories as I could about Swedish culture. Immersing myself in all-things-Swedish really got me excited to explore the country and see if what I had read had merit. One book I read talked about some Swedish folk traditions that I couldn’t wait to draw, the dala horse, love spoons and the traditional folk art style known as kurbits. I loved learning the history of these Swedish art forms. Here are some high level details of each folk tradition I drew below. Kurbits is a form of folk style ornamental painting originating in Dalarna, Sweden. Initially Kurbits motifs were…
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Culture: History – A Trip to Ellis Island, New York
It should be required that every American take a trip to Ellis Island. It is a historic site that truly embodies the spirit of this country. It is a place that gave hope to 12 million immigrants who passed through its walls between 1892-1954. Regardless of whether you or your ancestors came through here or the Port of Philadelphia, Port of Baltimore, Port of New Orleans, Angel Island or any number of other ports or entry points in America, the museum at Ellis Island captures the essence of how this country has been built. It illustrates how the hopes and dreams of generations of immigrants felt when they first laid eyes on the Statue of…
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On Location: 9/11 Reflections
We all know where we were when the planes struck. Some of us were across the country, some across the world, and some right next door. We all know someone who was deeply affected- a loved one killed, a friend who died, a coworker who didn’t make it home, a friend who mourned a loss, a hero who helped saved lives. There will never be a September 11th that passes where we don’t take pause, take time to reflect. On a recent visit to New York City, I toured the 9/11 Memorial site. I was not quite sure what to expect. Could a memorial evoke the intense emotions and feelings…
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Time+Place: Keeping WWII History Alive
There are some history buffs that live and breathe WWII stories. They know the strategies, the battles, the heros and sadly, the carnage. Then there are others like myself. I know some facts from history class, and have been lucky to visit the beaches of Normandy, and some of the war torn areas in France, but as time moves forward, the facts are becoming a bit more fuzzy and the stories I’ve been told are harder to recollect. Sadly, I fear my children will have little understanding of the impact that this war had on the world. When a tour of war aircraft and items from WWII came to our…
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Time+Place: Wild West Horseback Riding in Utah
It was a gorgeous summer afternoon in Southern Utah. The rusted reds in the sandstone cliffs reverberated against the cerulean blue skies. We got on our horses, left the stables of the resort, and slowly moseyed up the mountain side away from the mighty Colorado River. Within minutes the only sounds we could hear were the hoofs of our horses trundling up the rocky trail. With each step, it felt like we were heading back in time– straight into an old western movie. There is nothing like the landscape of the American Southwest. The sandstone buttes jutting out from the desert landscape is an iconic scene in almost any Western…
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Time+Place: USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier
I will admit– I have a fascination with all things Navy. I’m not quite sure why. Perhaps it’s my interest in history, but most likely it comes from movies and TV (Top Gun was the hit movie during my impressionable teen years and today, I love to workout on the treadmill to NCIS!) So, when my family and I took a day trip to the USS Hornet Museum in Alameda, California, I was not disappointed. There is detailed historical information throughout the ship and of course, on deck, there was a time to reminisce Maverick and Goose antics! The USS Hornet aircraft carrier has a rich history dating back to…
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Time+Place: Map Puzzles of Famous Cities Through Time
Travel, history, and maps — three of my favorite things all in a puzzle! I can’t think of a better way to learn about a city I am about to visit than playing with one of 4D Cityscape’s Time Puzzles. How does it work? You start by layering the landscape and geographical map of the city to become a 2 dimensional puzzle. Next comes the 3rd and 4th dimension— skyscrapers, monuments, bridges and significant city sites are added based on time. With the help of a Time Poster, you add each building on the map according to the year it was built, and the history of the city unfolds. With…
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Time+Place: A Steam Train Trip in Wales for a Thomas the Train Fan
Several years ago, we took a trip to Great Britain. Our kids were pretty young at the time (almost 3 and 4 years old), so when planning our itinerary, we tried to keep in mind activities that would not only entertain them, but also be fulfilling for us. When we saw the numerous Steam Train trip options throughout Britain, we became very excited. A day on a train was the perfect way to see the country side as well as keep any Thomas the Train fan engaged! There’s nothing more historic than taking a steam train in Great Britain, the birth place of the railway! It’s hard to believe this…
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Time+Place: Van Gogh’s Provence
While I was in art school, I had the chance to travel through Provence. As art history facts and art techniques swirled through my head, I peered out at the surrounding landscape and paused for a bit… This was Van Gogh territory, and it was easy to see. The colors, the landscapes, the sites, it looked exactly like his signature work towards the end of his life. I had such a fun time finding the exact spot, or close by, where Van Gogh possibly stood while he painted his famous paintings. Once home, I assembled them in an album side by side. It’s great to see the comparison, see how…
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Time+Place: Warwick Castle – A Visit to Medieval England
If you want a taste of Medieval England without having to give up modern amenities like plumbing, I would highly recommend a day at Warwick Castle in Warwickshire England. While on a trip through England, we stopped here for an afternoon with our 2 kids. Since our kids were pretty young, we weren’t sure how much “castle ruins” they would enjoy… it’s quite hard to convince a 4 year old that a princess truly lived here, if the place is in ruins. To our surprise, we were happily mistaken. Touring Warwick Castle is a great blend of walking through an old castle, filled with crumbling spiral stair cases, turrets, arrow…