Cultural History Commons^™

Every Man A Historian Means Every Man: Speaking With The Fringe, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

The amazing power of the internet age is the pure democratizing ethic it has injected into our culture. We aren't simply pleased when the world around us solicits and listens to our opinions, we've come to expect it. Every news story has a comment thread; every article asks for our feedback. The White House solicits input from the American "user" and offers meaningful responses. In short, we are a people who are growing more vocal in our daily lives. The brilliant constitutional law professor and master of cultural understanding Lawrence Lessig has called our culture "Read-Write" as opposed to "Read-Only." …

Lost And Found: Where The Iconic Meet, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

I know exactly when I began believing in the Muppets again. I am a child of the '80s. I was five years old when Jim Henson died. I remember watching the TV with my Mom crying beside me as Frank Oz's Fozzie, Richard Hunt's Scooter and Dave Goelz's Gonzo read to their friends the condolence letters sent by thousands of grieving fans. I remember the slow building of "Just One Person." [excerpt]

Good Morning To The Night: Requiem For My Battlefield, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

The fireflies have started to appear around Gettysburg. We have a new sliding glass door in the kitchen that I can press my face against and see them. I did it the other night when Jess mentioned they're out there. [excerpt]

College Kids With Guns: Hidden In Plain Sight, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Sunday morning found me out in the field with a stalwart group of Gettysburg devotees: the Gettysburg Discussion Group's annual spring Muster. When the coordinator of this year's Muster put out the call for something a bit different, perhaps something in town for Sunday, my ears perked up. I've been looking for groups to test out the nuggets of the College's Civil War story on and the GDG seemed like the perfect group of guinea pigs. [excerpt]

Peace, Politics, And Vortex: The Cultural And Political Consequences Of Oregon's Only State Sponsored Rock Concert, Kathryn J. Van Marter-Sanders

Lawrence University Honors Projects

As the 1960s drew to a close, mainstream America realized that the rebellious youth counterculture was not going to go away quietly. Meeting the problem head on as the authorities had in Kent State resulted in violent deaths and even more protests. This trend broke, possibly for the first time, at McIver Park in Portland, Oregon during the first ever state-sponsored rock concert. To make the concert, called ‘Vortex One,’ possible, Governor of Oregon Tom McCall, and The Family commune joined forces to create a peaceful alternative to possible violent opposition of the American Legion National Convention. The concert, however, …

"The People For Whom He Saved The Union": Ninety Years Ago In Dc, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Reading the official Facebook page of one of my favorite history authors yesterday, I saw a pithy note about a "day of note." Ninety years ago this week, President Warren Harding dedicated the Lincoln Memorial at the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. [excerpt]

Haupt-Enstance: Whatever Became Of Herman?, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Tom Lehrer, on his 1965 album That Was The Year That Was, sang a send-up of then-Vice President Hubert Humphrey with his, "Whatever Became of Hubert." The song's been going through my head this past week or so, but with the name "Herman" taking the place of LBJ's second-in-command. [excerpt]

"Forever Free": It's Deja Vu All Over Again, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

A friend and colleague has a great quip she uses when planning Civil War interpretation in the DC area. "Why," she asks, "would a black single mother with two daughters come to this event? What's here for her?" [excerpt]

Strange Collection (Mss 42), Manuscripts & Folklife Archives

Manuscript Collection Finding Aids

Finding aid only for Manuscripts Collection 42. Correspondence, 1864-1878 (8); journal, 1852-1883; scrapbooks (2); Manuscript: “House of Madison and McDowell in Kentucky,” 1888; family genealogical data; slave records; etc., of Agatha (Rochester) Strange, 1832-1896, a lifelong resident of Bowling Green, Kentucky.

You Can Hide `Neath Your Covers: Confronting The Boss, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Public servants are paid to serve the American people. Do it well." Donald Rumsfeld, 2001

It's not often that I quote or even think about Donald Rumsfeld. I'm pretty sure he doesn't think about me at all. Still, that quote above is a keen (if obvious) observation that so often we in the world of public service Civil War interpretation forget. I work for the Federal Government in my 'real' job. This blog is where I brain dump everything else rattling around in my mind. Inspiration strikes at all hours, and last week the bolt came out of the blue …

4th And Goal: What Is The Interpretive Touchdown?, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

What is the aim of historic interpretation? That seems like it would be a simple question to answer, but it's simply not. Historic interpretation seems to be a many headed Hydra, with each interpreter seeing their own purpose and their own goals within the craft. [excerpt]

Slavery And Empire: The Development Of Slavery In The Natchez District, 1720-1820, Christian Pinnen

Dissertations

“Slavery and Empire: The Development of Slavery in the Natchez District, 1720- 1820,” examines how slaves and colonists weathered the economic and political upheavals that rocked the Lower Mississippi Valley. The study focuses on the fitful— and often futile—efforts of the French, the English, the Spanish, and the Americans to establish plantation agriculture in Natchez and its environs, a district that emerged as the heart of the “Cotton Kingdom” in the decades following the American Revolution. Before American planters established their hegemony over Natchez, the town was a struggling outpost that changed hands three times over the course of the …

Die Deutschen In Kalifornien: Germans In Urban California, 1850-1860, Carole Cosgrove Terry

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

German immigrants came to San Francisco, Sacramento and Marysville, urban northern California, seeking a better life than they had in the Germanic states of central Europe. Some came directly from Germany but some made an intermediate stop during their journey in Europe or the United States. In all three cities, they created an ethnic community where they practiced the social, economic and cultural traditions from their homeland,including Vereinswesen (associational life) and Gemutlichkeit (celebration of the joy of life), led by their ethnically based association, the Turnverein. They interacted with the main steam Anglo-Americans through associations and celebratory events to create …

Episode 61: The One With The Cannons, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

This past weekend, I found myself in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for the annual meeting of the Organization of American Historians and the National Council on Public History. Sessions abounded on both the Civil War and interpretation, as well as any other American historical topic you could imagine. The OAH debuted their new Imperiled Promise report on NPS history practices (which Jake commented on last week). Kevin Levin participated with other Civil War folks on a Civil War Working Group discussing the course of the 150th and beyond. [excerpt]

The Grizzly, April 26, 2012, Nick Pane, Liz Kilmer, James Noebels, Samantha Mascia, Lisa Jobe, Riley Pembroke, Katie Banas '12, Olivia Minick, Sarah Bollert, Eisamar Ellis, Sara Hourwitz, Shane Eachus, Allen Weaver

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Ursinus Celebrates Fong Inauguration • CoSA Showcases Students for Seventh Year • Nadler to Join MCS Department for Fall Semester • New Dean Named • English Professor Spoke on Diane Rehm Show • Four Years of Changes for UC Seniors • Wampole's Lockheed Martin Internship Becomes Career • Students for Barack Obama Encourages Student Participation • Opinion: Zolidis Premieres "White Buffalo"; Students Explore Spirituality at College • Thomas Leaves Legacy of Pride and Integrity • Baseball to Dedicate Field Saturday

"A Single Finger Can't Eat Okra": The Importance Of Remembering The Haitian Revolution In United States History, Ashleigh P. Shoecraft

Scripps Senior Theses

This thesis discusses the impact of the Haitian Revolution on the United States as a lens through which to view the transnational nature of American exceptionalism. It concludes with an articulation of the necessity of incorporating this relational nature of United States identity development into high school coursework, and advocates for teaching about the Haitian Revolution as an effective means through which to do this.

The Grizzly, April 19, 2012, Nick Pane, Liz Kilmer, Sara Hourwitz, Chelsea Callahan, Lisa Jobe, Samantha Mascia, Olivia Minick, Lauren Goldstein, Sabrina Mcgettigan, James Noebels, Sarah Bollert, Allen Weaver, Sophie Zander, Shane Eachus, Keith Baker

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Berman Director Announces Departure • "Lantern" Celebrates 81 Years • McGown to Join Math Department • Professors Host Facebook Discussion in New Hall • Ursinus Students Promote Autism Awareness • Passion for Historical Reenactments • Hon. Richard Murphy Addressed Campus • Meerbergen Co-Leads Therapy Sessions in Pottstown • Opinion: Obama Will Need Help Come November; New York City Isn't All It's Cracked Up to Be • Class of 2012 Athletes Leave Holes to Fill • Field Hockey: Heading to Holland

Crowdsourcing History: When We All Get To Help, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

I'm a bit bitter this week. The arrival of the Space Shuttle Discovery to the Washington, D.C. area has got me down. My first dream job as a kid, before I wanted to be a LEGO model designer or National Park Service ranger, was the illustrious position of space garbage man. I think part of that came from my grandfather's penchant for taking me around the neighborhood on trash day during his smoke breaks and picking through the fine assemblages of junk the neighbors had left by the curb. There was some sort of glamour in the idea of seeing …

Dead Is Dead: Why 20% Doesn't Matter, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Over at Cosmic America, Keith Harris beat me to the punch on this one. But Jake can attest to the fact that, since the "news" of the revision of Civil War dead up by 130,000 broke, I have been grumbling on and off.

The Grizzly, April 12, 2012, Nick Pane, Liz Kilmer, James Noebels, Olivia Minick, Lisa Jobe, Chelsea Callahan, Riley Pembroke, Sara Hourwitz, Sophie Zander, Sarah Bollert, Tracie Johnson, Allen Weaver, Shane Eachus

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Fong Inauguration Approaching • UCDC Mixing Up Spring Routine • Housing Lottery Anxiety Addressed • Cuts for a Cause on Campus This Weekend • Ursinus Alumni Return to Work at Alma Mater • UC Students Travel to National Model UN Competition in NYC • Hart Interns at Great Wall Club in Beijing, China • Opinion: Saying "No" is Man's Responsibility, Too; Delphi was a Positive Experience Despite Criticism • Men's Lacrosse Battles #18 Gettysburg • Seniors Wrapping up Athletic Careers

The Red Scare, Allison Ellis

Undergraduate Research Conference

The Red Scare describes the time in American History following World War II when tension between Americans and other Communist countries, specifically the Soviet Union, were threateningly high. Each county was equipped for, yet fearful of an atomic war. The United States government tried to use this fear to motivate the American public to become mobilized. American citizens were encouraged to rely on themselves and prepare for the worst. Even though they were ignorant to the effects of such an attack, Americans tried desperately to prepare their homes and families. The government published articles, pamphlets, short films, and held drills …

The Grizzly, April 5, 2012, Nick Pane, Liz Kilmer, Michael Schmidt, Samantha Mascia, Lisa Jobe, Sara Hourwitz, Allen Weaver, Sarah Bollert, Chelsea Callahan, Carly Siegler, Victoria Cameron, Shane Eachus, Keith Baker

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

String Ensemble Impresses Hope • Career Services Hosts Webinar • "Ball at the Bellevue" a Success, Continues to Draw Large Number of Student Participants • Sue Thomas Retires from Admissions Staff • Caitlin Callahan Interns as Veterinary Tech • Greek Week Approaches, MAA and Quiz Club Plan to Participate • UC Welcomes Teisa Brown to President's Staff • Nothing to Hate About this Hamlet • Phillies to Continue Success Despite Worries • Senior Spotlight: Garrett Smith, Baseball • Bears Battle Through Wet Weekend • Player Spotlight: Jenni Weber, Softball

Once Upon A Time In Gettysburg: Sometimes It Works, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Monday night, I took my class out on the 'battlefield.' I know some of them are taking my class because, "it's Gettysburg College and I should take a Civil War class before I leave." I couldn't resist the siren call to show them where they have lived for four years and transform the meanings of that ground for them. So we went on a campus tour, the battlefield they walk everyday when they go to class or dinner or out to party on a Friday night. [excerpt]

Guest Post: Fear And Loathing At Shiloh, Vanessa Smiley

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Everyone is and has been talking about the Shiloh 150th commemoration, whether it be the NPS event starting this week or the battle reenactment that took place this past weekend. It has been called the 'Antietam of the West.' All the events surrounding its 150th anniversary have been heralded as being one of 'the big ones' this year. Over 23,000 casualties of both sides in two days - a pretty significant and bloody battle. [excerpt]

The King’S Best Highway: The Lost History Of The Boston Post Road, The Route That Made America (Review), Michael R. Fein

Humanities Department Faculty Publications & Research

No abstract provided.

Pure Land And The Social Order In Twelfth-Century China: An Investigation Of "Longshu’S Treatise On Pure Land", Trevor Davis

Student Work

A 2012-2013 William Prize for best essay in East Asian Studies was awarded to Trevor Davis (Saybrook College '13) for his essay submitted to the History Department, “Pure Land and the Social Order in Twelfth-Century China: An Investigation of Longshu’s Treatise on Pure Land.” (Valerie Hansen, Professor of History, advisor.)

Davis' essay makes a powerful argument about the Pure Land Buddhist Wang Rixiu's understanding of Southern Song (1127-1279) society. Although Pure Land Buddhism is often thought to be egalitarian - or at least to challenge traditional hierarchies - Trevor shows that for Wang Rixiu, an egalitarian Pure Land coexists …

The Forgotten Sixty-Ninth: The Sixty-Ninth New York National Guard Artillery Regiment In The American Civil War, Christopher M. Garcia

History Theses & Dissertations

In Civil War historiography, consistent attention and public interest has illuminated the history of various Irish organizations, no regiment more so than New York's famed "Fighting Sixty-Ninth." During the conflict, the State of New York fielded three regiments designated the Sixty-Ninth, but the scholarship has tended to favor just one of them, the 69'" New York Volunteers of the Irish Brigade. The 69" New York National Guard Artillery, the first regiment in General Michael Corcoran's Irish Legion, has been virtually forgotten. This regiment was, in essence, the standing 69ia New York Militia in federal service for three years or the …

The Grizzly, March 29, 2012, Nick Pane, Liz Kilmer, Samantha Mascia, Sara Hourwitz, Lisa Jobe, Melissa Rutkowski, Sophie Zander, Olivia Minick, Riley Pembroke, Sarah Bollert, Victoria Cameron, Jane Helmick, Keith Baker

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Airband Benefits Crime Victims Center • Blues Writer Sharon Bridgforth Reads Work • Gilmore Visits Berman Art Museum • UC Recyclemania Holds Green Day Carnival • Alabama Civil Rights Trip was Living History for Students • Rosati Embraces Opportunity at Frederick Living • Greek Week in Progress, Helps to Unite UC Sororities and Fraternities • Opinion: Trayvon Martin Case is a Wake-Up Call • Ursinus Celebrates St. Patrick's Weekend • Player Spotlight: Amanda Laurito, Track and Field • Rugby Continues Building Tradition • Senior Spotlight: Jeff Ocampo, Men's Lacrosse

Kingdom Comin': The Largest Slave Rebellion In U.S. History, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

Over at Present in the Past, Michael Lynch recently posted a provocative question and accompanying video about slave revolt. It got the wheels in my head turning. It also helped that Monday night was my first lecture scheduled on my course syllabus to dig into the "political war." My mind's been swimming with concepts of violence and resistance, freedom and slavery.

Your Fortune: Fried Rice And John Brown, John M. Rudy

Interpreting the Civil War: Connecting the Civil War to the American Public

I had Chinese food Sunday night and it got me thinking. I know that's a very random thing to say, but it's the truth. We don't usually consider Chinese food to be brain food, but for me it can be very powerful stuff. I like the stuff they serve up from the back of the Giant Supermarket here in town. The people who work the counter are always very nice and it tastes just clean enough. I like a bit of mystery in my pork fried rice. [excerpt]