These eight databases present more than 176,000 articles from 18th- and 19th-century newspapers, magazines, books, and genealogical records. Much of the material comes from Pennsylvania and other mid-Atlantic states.
Godey’s Lady’s Book (18301880), one of the most popular 19th-century publications, furnished middle- and upper-class American women with fiction, fashion illustrations, and editorials. The Pennsylvania Gazette (17281800), a Philadelphia newspaper, is described as the New York Times of the 18th century. The Civil War: A Newspaper Perspective includes major articles from the Charleston Mercury, the New York Herald, and the Richmond Enquirer. African-American Newspapers: The 19th Century includes runs from six newspapers published in New York, Washington, DC, and Toronto between 1827 and 1876. American County Histories to 1900 provides 60 volumes covering the local history of New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Genealogical Catalogue: Chester County 18091870 has been partially digitized, with 25,000 records available. The Pennsylvania Newspaper Record: Delaware County 18191870 addresses industrialization in a rural area settled by Quaker farmers.
The Valley Forge National Historical Park presents the social and military histories of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. In 1777, the British succeeded in capturing the then capital of the United States, Philadelphia. The Continental Army, under George Washington (1732-1799), encamped in Valley Forge that winter in order to keep pressure on the British in Philadelphia, while avoiding attack and the need for winter transportation, which was rendered nearly impossible given weather conditions. While at Valley Forge, the army received training from Baron Friedrich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben (1730-1794), increasing its military prowess. Sites include a memorial chapel, Washington's headquarters, a brigade encampment, and the farmhouse in which General James Varnum (1748-1789) quartered.
The site offers an 18-minute introductory film, exhibits, guided tours, a cell phone tour, trolley tours, living history interpreters, educational programs, Junior Ranger tours and activities, library and archive access, a summer teachers' institute, and two sites which sell refreshments. The library and archive collections are non-circulating and only accessible by appointment. The website offers audio and video podcasts, a curriculum guide, and suggested reading. The park also offers a unique program, wherein children can muster into the Continental Army, learning about different aspects of army life each session. "Veteran" students assist with teaching newcomers.
Washington's headquarters is currently closed for restoration.
Historian Robert Allison details the life of Stephen Decatur (1779-1820), the young U.S. Navy captain who became a hero of the War of 1812 and the Barbary Wars.
Audio and video options are available.
Historian Dorris Fanelli discusses the site of the first presidential "White House" in Philadelphia and the discovery that George Washington brought many of his slaves to work there. This discovery led to a new kind of public history and the creation of a commemorative site near the Liberty Bell Center.
The John James Audubon Center is the location of Audubon's first residence in the United States of America. The center is also the only residence still standing. In addition to the historic home, the center features a museum of Audubon's works, including his famous Birds of America.
The center offers guided tours, five miles of hiking trails, a museum with many of Audubon's most famous works, and special events including interpretive activities and presentations. The website offers a calendar of events, visitor information, and a brief history of the site.
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.
Ken Johnston, a historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, looks at the beliefs and actions of Benedict Arnold, arguing that Arnold never betrayed his own beliefs and values.
The chief curator of Independence National Historical Park looks at the Liberty Bell, explaining the basics of its history and its symbolism today.
"Founded in 1824 in Philadelphia, The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is one of the oldest historical societies in the United States and holds many national treasures. The Society's building, designed by Addison Hutton and listed on the City of Philadelphia's Register of Historical Places, houses some 600,000 printed items and over 19 million manuscript and graphic items." The Society's library is one of the preeminent libraries in the nation, housing extensive manuscript collections from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. Finally, the Historical Society has paired with Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania through a Strategic Alliance Agreement, and the Society has become "a chief center for the documentation and study of the ethnic communities and immigrant experiences."
The site offers an online catalog, 10 online manuscript collections, an online event calendar, exhibit information along with nine online exhibits, purchasing information for the society's publications, and educational resources, including lesson plans, readings, primary sources, online exhibits, and information on educational workshops.
Professor Gordon Lloyd looks at the Constitutional Convention and the debate over what form the new government and its constitution should take. He examines the Virginia Plan, the revised Virginia Plan, the New Jersey Plan, and the Hamilton Proposal.
To listen to this lecture, scroll to session four, and select the RealAudio text or image in the gray bar to the left of the main body text.