As part of a bicentennial series celebrating Boston Athenaeum writers, Jill Ker Conway discusses the work of maritime historian Samuel Eliot Morison (18871976); Megan Marshall discusses Christian author and first female entrant to the Athenaeum, Hannah Adams (17551831); and Philip McFarland discusses historian Francis Parkman (18231893).
From the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American history website:
"Institute President James G. Basker examines early strains of abolitionism in eighteenth century literature. From John Newton, the slave trader-turned-minister who wrote the anti-slavery hymn 'Amazing Grace,' to black poets Jupiter Hammon and Phillis Wheatley, Basker argues that slavery was very much on the minds of eighteenth century writers and readers."
Professor Leo Marx presents the protagonist of F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," Jay Gatsby, as "a representative American," using the arc of the character's development to explore popular myths and understandings of U.S. origins, developments, and dangers.
Comic book author Bentley Boyd talks about his work adapting Colonial Williamsburg's Revolutionary City living history program into comic form. Boyd discusses the challenges and merits of telling historical stories in a visual, narrative format.
To listen to this interview, select "All 2009 podcasts," and scroll to the July 20th program.
The Longfellow National Historic Site preserves the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of the world's foremost 19th century poets. The home is now open as a historic house museum, and is furnished with 19th century antique furniture.
The home offers guided tours and exhibits on the life and times of Henry Longfellow. The website offers a brief biography of Wadsworth, a history of the home, a virtual tour, and visitor information. In order to email the historic site, use the "contact us" link located on the left side of the webpage.
The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site preserves one of author Edgar Allan Poe's homes. The site presents information on Poe and his historical context and the influence of Poe's writings on other authors, including today's masters of horror in film and literature. Poe (1809-1849) is credited with creating the detective fiction genre, as well as being an early writer of American short stories. He is classified as a Romantic author; and his poetry, short stories, and novels lean toward the macabre. Famous works include "The Raven," "The Black Cat," "The Masque of the Red Death," "The Murders in the Rue Morgue," "The Tell-Tale Heart," and "Annabel Lee."
The site offers an 8-minute biographical audio-visual presentation, exhibits, period rooms, self-guided tours, guided tours, audio samples of famous actors narrating Poe and Poe's work set to music, and Junior Ranger activities. Reservations are required for all school groups. The website offers a teacher's handbook and additional educator resources.
The Museum is located in the historic State Capital Publishing Company building constructed in 1902. This building was the fourth home of the State Capital Company which was organized in 1889 just prior to the first Oklahoma Land Run. Inside the museum is a large collection of original furnishings and printing equipment. Museum exhibits include the history of the State Capital Company, printing technology and other aspects of life from the territorial and early statehood era.
The museum offers exhibits, tours, demonstrations, workshops, and educational and recreational programs.
The Sidney Lanier Cottage House Museum is the birthplace of noted poet, musician, and soldier Sidney Lanier (18421881). Among the objects on view at the Cottage are one of Sidney Lanier's flutes (a silver, alto flute made by the Badger Flute Company), Mary Day's wedding dress of 1867, and several portraits and first editions.
The museum offers exhibits and tours (include tours specifically designed for schoolchildren).
Offers hundreds of lesson plans composed by teachers, on a variety of subjects, organized into three groups—K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Provides 31 plans for grades 9-12 on U.S. history topics, including civil rights, balancing budgets, jazz, opposing views of the Vietnam War, Native American history, the Cold War, Japanese-Americans during World War II, racism, NATO, the Salem Witch Trials, U.S.-Cuba relations, and "The Power of Fiction," focusing on socially-relevant texts. Also includes 33 Literature plans—many on works by American authors—and plans for world history and ancient history. Valuable for high-school level history teachers.
Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Alphonse Fletcher University Professor and Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Institute of African American History at Harvard University, speaks about the development of the African American National Biography, the largest African American biographical collection ever published, spanning more than four centuries, with 4,100 entries in eight volumes. The series presents African-American history as told through the lives of its most notable historic actors, documenting and dramatizing the central role played by African Americans in our nation's history, from the 16th through the 20th centuries.