History
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Hey “Hamilton” Fans: Here’s a Novel about Aaron Burr’s Daughter. Happy Father’s Day, Aaron Burr!
So I just wanted to let you know that historical fiction about Theodosia Burr exists. Has existed for decades. Let me show you My Theodosia by Anya Seton. Yes, it has a copyright date of…
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Today’s Lunch Hour
Today I watched the Pittsburgh Penguins victory parade from the 22nd floor of a building several blocks away. Through a telephoto camera lens. And a thick pane of glass. This is not the…
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The Time Capsule
Many old buildings are actually time capsules. The thing is, they often don’t reveal their secrets all at once. For example, our first contractor found this bottle when he dismantled our porch nearly…
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I Live in Their House
“Do you have family buried here?” I stood in front of a row of graves when I heard this. Such a logical question. But no. I have no actual family buried here, in…
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Don’t Give Up the Lighthouse; Erie Land Light Part II
My father-in-law Dennis Woytek’s story began with Erie. All of Erie. The lake, of course. The rail yards. The “Public Dock,” as he still calls Dobbins Landing. And the Erie Land Light. We knew…
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Erie Land Light
On a recent visit to Erie, we ventured over to the Erie Land Light. This lighthouse has a pretty interesting history. The lighthouse holds the distinction of being the first known lighthouse on…
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“We Need a Political Revolution”
I work in downtown Pittsburgh. Therefore, I’m VERY interested in everything that happens here. For instance, today I learned that Bernie Sanders will also be downtown. On Thursday morning! I’m slightly concerned about…
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Mary Schenley’s Irish Catholic Family
Here is a photo of the carousel at Schenley Plaza. Schenley Plaza, Schenley Park, and all of the other Schenley stuff in Pittsburgh is named after Mary Schenley. Mrs. Schenley donated a large…
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This is Presque Isle
I was nine the first time that I saw a great lake. Lake Erie. We went to Presque Isle State Park in Erie, Pennsylvania. I pretended it was the ocean because I had…
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Tunnelview Historic Site
Jonathan wanted to see how much water the Army Corps of Engineers let out of the gates at the Conemaugh Dam after this past week’s storms. That’s why today’s adventure took us and…