Slave Inventory Database in Fairfax County: Crossing the 1870 Gap

Slave Inventory Database in Fairfax County: Crossing the 1870 Gap

What Maddy McCoy and others learned when they went page by page through more than a century of Fairfax County paperwork.

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Civil War Photography and Beyond

Civil War Photography and Beyond

Learning about Civil War photography from Dean DeRosa and Bob Zeller.

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Moving Day in the 19th Century

Moving Day in the 19th Century

My son’s recent move (his 4th in 4 years) made me think about moving in the 1800s.

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Esther Bubley's Tomball Photos

Esther Bubley's Tomball Photos

Esther Bubley took photographs of Tomball, Texas, in 1945. I visited a different Tomball last week.

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Lincoln's Generals' Wives: A Conversation with Candice Shy Hooper

Lincoln's Generals' Wives: A Conversation with Candice Shy Hooper

One great benefit in writing about Julia Wilbur has been talking with other authors about their biographies. Such as—Candice Shy Hooper, author of Lincoln’s Generals’ Wives.

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A Feisty Civil War Nurse at the Lyceum

A Feisty Civil War Nurse at the Lyceum

Researcher John Lustrea shared tales of Clarissa (“Clara”) Jones, whose Civil War nursing service included time at the Lyceum in Alexandria, Va.

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Caregiving in the 1800s

Caregiving in the 1800s

Julia Wilbur and other “dutiful daughters” (and nieces, aunts, et al.) often had their hands full.

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The First Independence Day after the End of the Civil War

The First Independence Day after the End of the Civil War

Here’s how Julia Wilbur—and finally liberated African Americans—celebrated July 4, 1865, in Washington, DC.

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"What an Immense City": Julia Wilbur Visits New York in July 1863

"What an Immense City": Julia Wilbur Visits New York in July 1863

Julia Wilbur does New York City--July 1863, right before the Draft Riots. I follow her footsteps in 2018.

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Julia Wilbur: Teacher and Equal Pay Advocate

Julia Wilbur: Teacher and Equal Pay Advocate

Julia Wilbur’s experiences as a teacher from 1844 to 1859 ring true today. Equal pay for equal work, anyone?

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A Q and A with Jessica Ziparo, Author of This Grand Experiment

A Q and A with Jessica Ziparo, Author of This Grand Experiment

In which I learn more from the author about the life of female government employees (including Julia Wilbur) in the 1860s.

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They Knew Lincoln

They Knew Lincoln

A conversation at Ford's Theatre on April 16--D.C. Emancipation Day--between historian Kate Masur and journalist Michele Norris about this fascinating book and its original author, John E. Washington

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Upon Hearing about the Death of Abraham Lincoln

Upon Hearing about the Death of Abraham Lincoln

Julia Wilbur records what she felt and saw the day after Lincoln's assassination.

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Harriet Tubman Photo in the Public Domain

Harriet Tubman Photo in the Public Domain

This wonderful photograph of Harriet Tubman, re-discovered last year, is now conserved and in the public domain!

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Congressional Cemetery

Congressional Cemetery

A visit to Congressional Cemetery at dusk in late March.

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"Dealer in Slaves" to Freedom House

"Dealer in Slaves" to Freedom House

There's been a lot in the paper lately about Freedom House in Alexandria. Here's some background.

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Harriet Jacobs Alive (sort of)

Harriet Jacobs Alive (sort of)

An evening with Nikki O'Dell, who portrayed Harriet Jacobs in the PBS documentary Slavery and the Making of America.

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Dr. Edwin Bentley and the Body Parts

Dr. Edwin Bentley and the Body Parts

We all have our particular interests.

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The Presidio in the Civil War

The Presidio in the Civil War

No, the GG bridge wasn't built in the Civil War, but the Presidio was up and running.

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New Year's Eve Day--A Sad Time for Julia Wilbur

New Year's Eve Day--A Sad Time for Julia Wilbur

December 31, 1859, was a sad milestone for Julia Wilbur, but one that propelled her in a very different direction.

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