History is Dying

I started this blog November of 2015, as a way to get people interested in the Civil War beyond what I describe as "Textbook" history. The more I learn working in Gettysburg and the more people I teach about the civilians of the Civil War, the more I see people just don't care about history anymore.

Now, don't get me wrong, there are those of you reading this right now thinking, "Abbie, what are you talking about? That's why I'm here!" And I would respond that yes, you're crazy, one of the oddballs who actually cares about what General 'So-and-So' did and where, or care about the civilians who lived through it.

And that's completely okay. This is a haven for all us history nerds alike.

But we have a job to do.

A Year in Gettysburg

Here I am! I'm still alive! You may have started to wonder, but I'm still here.

I've been very busy...yeah, I know that's not a very good excuse, but I hope to explain some of that in this post. But where do I start? I've been absent from here for what. Almost a year? Much too long.

Well, I've gotten more active in some events around Gettysburg. In October I attended the Civil War Trust's event for the Lee Headquarters grand opening. That was exciting. My grandfather and I were able to attend the event, it was a beautiful day (if but a bit chilly), and best of all (drum roll please) I got to meet Garry Adelman! (For those of you who may be new to the blog, Garry Adelman is a historian, Licensed Battlefield Guide and the director of Education for the Civil War Trust. He puts together many of the "In4" videos discussed in some of my articles. I'm kinda obsessed with him.)
Okay, well, I took a selfie with him. Is that a formal introduction? Maybe not....


                                

                                 

Dancing at the Encampment

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This past weekend, my family and I set out to enjoy a weekend of camping. We had been camping several times this summer, but this particular trip was the highlight of them all that I was waiting for. I even took off the whole weekend at work to enjoy these three special days.

Why?

Oh, the reason is obvious. It was Civil War Encampment weekend! What sounds more awesome than that?

Well, considering some of  you are not sure, let me convince you. We started off the weekend with Friday night's event, the dance....

My Journey to the Civil War

Sorry for not blogging in awhile, I was so excited at the thought of posting especially for the Battle of Gettysburg (this past weekend), but...I never did. 

A young woman I know, Michaela Tasker asked me a great question via the comment section on a blog post awhile back. It was a great question, so I thought I'd blog and specifically answer it. 
She asked: "When and how did you first become interested in the Civil War?" 

Thank you Michaela, for the question, and for mentioning Yankee PotPie in your "recommended blogs" page on your blog, Dandelions and Daydreams (If you're looking for a blog about exploring the unnoticed things in life through the eyes of a young lady, check out her blog!)

To answer Michaela's question, I'd like to tell you some about my journey to the Civil War. 

Happy Decoration Day!

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I keep getting surprised by how many of our holidays were started around the Civil War. You guessed it: Memorial Day was too!



Memorial Day was based upon a holiday celebrated first in 1868, when citizens of the US (led by orphans and veterans) covered the graves of 20,000 Civil War soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery with flowers. President Garfield approved of "Decoration Day" a day of remembrance of the Civil War dead celebrated by many states on May 30th. 



After WWI, many, feeling the loss of so many loved ones, began to honor all military dead on Decoration Day.



It wasn't until after 1968--100 years after its start--that it became a federal holiday.



Side note: Isn't it amazing how long unofficial holidays are celebrated in this country before they become federal holidays? See my Thanksgiving post for another example.



The poem below? Yeah, I didn't write it. My best friend did, though, and I honestly think its the best poem she's ever written. My sister, Elecia, writes a blog called A Heart in Waiting, and it's a wonderful blog encouraging young women to stay pure and patient while waiting on God's direction. I decided to post this poem from her blog because I thought it'd be a great way to remind us of what these "honored dead" died for: Freedom, equality, and The United States of America.