Yearning for history--and upcoming travel
Mon, Jan. 25th, 2010 05:31 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
A couple of days ago, I posted a sort of capsule review of Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow. I found myself, in the wake of reading that book, missing living somewhere as full of history as New York is. I mean, if I'd been living in NYC when I read that book, I'd have hopped the subway into Manhattan and gone to Trinity Church to see Hamilton's grave. After that, I would have maybe stopped at Fraunces Tavern for lunch and a little more history afterwards.
Now, I know, my fellow Seattlites: Seattle is full of history, yes, absolutely. You can't walk in Pioneer Square and miss it. You can see it at the Ballard Locks, at the waterfront, in the architecture around downtown. I know.
But I'm talking about early American history. I grew up around it. Kids who grow up on Long Island are taught about early American history right in the middle of where it happened. I remember one field trip to Philadelphia and two field trips to Washington D.C. by the time I got to 8th grade. We had trips to Old Bethpage Village Restoration and my parents took me to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. I know people who live in Washington state who have never been to our nation's capital and it floors me. But this is what I grew up with. Occasionally, I miss being around buildings more than 150 years old. It's an atmosphere, a sense of place, that Seattle and many West Coast locations just don't have.
Now, the happy news, the news I've been kinda quiet about, is that
jackwilliambell has never been to New York City, and he's decided to take me back east for a long weekend in March. He'll need to get back to work so he'll only be staying three days with me in town, during which time we'll be playing tourist. But I'll be staying another four nights to visit with my brother and with friends as I can fit it all in. I'm so excited. And as Jack has a strong interest in the Revolutionary War era and the founding fathers, I'm certain we're going to be doing a little history hunting while we're in town. I'm so grateful to him for making the trip possible, and I can't wait to get back, even if it's just for a few days.
Yay!
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Subjects about which I want to write:
*Upcoming travel
*Missing the ghosts of early American history
* Demons, a new supernatural series on BBCA
* The new season of Big Love
* The new season of Project Runway
* Conventions plans (or not) for 2010
Now, I know, my fellow Seattlites: Seattle is full of history, yes, absolutely. You can't walk in Pioneer Square and miss it. You can see it at the Ballard Locks, at the waterfront, in the architecture around downtown. I know.
But I'm talking about early American history. I grew up around it. Kids who grow up on Long Island are taught about early American history right in the middle of where it happened. I remember one field trip to Philadelphia and two field trips to Washington D.C. by the time I got to 8th grade. We had trips to Old Bethpage Village Restoration and my parents took me to Mystic Seaport in Connecticut. I know people who live in Washington state who have never been to our nation's capital and it floors me. But this is what I grew up with. Occasionally, I miss being around buildings more than 150 years old. It's an atmosphere, a sense of place, that Seattle and many West Coast locations just don't have.
Now, the happy news, the news I've been kinda quiet about, is that
![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
Yay!
--------------------------------------------
Subjects about which I want to write:
*
*
* Demons, a new supernatural series on BBCA
* The new season of Big Love
* The new season of Project Runway
* Conventions plans (or not) for 2010
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 01:43 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:42 am (UTC)This, however, it a good thought. I should take advantage of more of the resources around here about the Native American history and heritage around Seattle.
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:19 am (UTC)If you ever get out to Neah Bay, the Makah Reserve has a great museum (one thing I cannot stress enough for anyone with an interest in history is that the Native museums on reservations tend to be stunning. I've yet to meet one I haven't liked--traditional and contemporary artists, plus history from the Native perspective).
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 08:49 pm (UTC)But I do get an awed feeling when I see a garment or tool from hundreds of years ago that someone lived with everyday.
I also second joycemocha's comment about Neah Bay and the Makah museum.
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:44 am (UTC)ETA: Jack and I talked tonight via Skype (he's in China on business) and we may try to plot a lunch for a select smaller group of people to meet during the weekend when he's here--if folks are available. Will keep you apprised.
New York
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:23 am (UTC)Re: New York
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:45 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:40 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:46 am (UTC)Yes, yes, yes! How many eyes have beheld what I see when I look at the Statue of Liberty? Or the Empire State Building? Or Independence Hall? These things create a connection that can't be created in almost any other way.
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:54 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:56 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 04:57 am (UTC)Oh, you're kidding!
How much do you think you can get for the Brooklyn Bridge?
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:18 am (UTC)I know what you mean. Where Wall St. -really- means something.
Oh you. Go! Go have a good time and come back with photos and tell me all about it. Aargh! Envy!
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 06:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 02:51 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:24 pm (UTC)My spouse grew up within bicycling distance of Old Bethpage Village, btw, but I've still never been there. I'm going to have to insist on visiting the next time we go see the in-laws.
no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 03:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Tue, Jan. 26th, 2010 05:21 pm (UTC)