Category Archives: U.S. History

A Saturday at the Sea

This Saturday morning had a nice little twist to it.  We were up, showered, dressed, and out of the house by 9:45am, and eating breakfast at Panera in downtown Centerville where we were joined by Amy Kress, and her youngest … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Disney, Family Life, Musical Theatre, Performing, Private Students, The History Channel, Theatre, Theatre: Community, U.S. History, Washington, DC | Leave a comment

Charles E. Taylor: The Man Aviation History Almost Forgot

A friend, Debbie Allen, sent me this neat article on Charles “Charlie” Taylor, a mechanic for the Wright Brothers.  Charlie earns a good deal of the credit in the final phase of the brothers’ preparations for powered flight.  I knew … Continue reading

Posted in Carillon Park, Katharine Wright-Haskell, Kitty Hawk, Miami Valley of Ohio, Museum of the US Air Force, Orville Wright, U.S. History, Wilbur Wright, Woodland Cemetery, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

Visiting Presidential Sites…

Since I was very young, I’ve immersed myself in presidential history, and have loved visiting historical sites associated with our nation’s leaders.  Today, my friend, Jeff Carter, and I were discussing our bucket lists of places to visit, and I … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, Colonial America, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

Morton: ‘Willie’ was second Lincoln child to die young

From The Northwest Herald… Morton: ‘Willie’ was second Lincoln child to die young

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Civil War, First Ladies, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…Presidential Funerals…

Video clips of presidential funerals from William McKinley to Ronald Reagan, in order of their presidency.  

Posted in Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Kennedy Family, Politics, Richard Nixon, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, Theodore Roosevelt, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, White House | Leave a comment

…Earliest recordings of Presidents…

This is believed to be the oldest known recording of any U.S. President. It was recorded on an Edison wax cylinder sometime around 1889.

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | 1 Comment

…Frost/Nixon…

“A man is not finished when he is defeated. He is finished when he quits.” – Richard Nixon This morning, while relaxing, I watched the movie, FROST/NIXON (2008), starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, and directed by Ron Howard.  I … Continue reading

Posted in Indiana, Movies, Politics, Richard Nixon, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

…39 Years of Collecting Lincoln…

Since March 1973 I have collected books, and other Lincoln memorabilia.  My most prized possession… the bust of Lincoln given to my by my uncle, Ron Barmes, 1973.  Another is a framed card de visite of Mary Todd Lincoln – … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

…WWII Photographs…

My grandfather, Leroy Barmes, enlisted for WWII, and was stationed in Florida when he contracted Rheumatic fever.  He had been studying radio operating with the Army-Air Corps up in Wisconsin. Here are some of the nurses and soldiers at the … Continue reading

Posted in Barmes Family, Family Ancestry, The Haasienda, U.S. History | 5 Comments

…Little Eddie…

Edward Baker “Eddie” Lincoln (March 10, 1846 – February 1, 1850) was the second son of Abraham & Mary Todd Lincoln. He was named after Lincoln’s friend Edward Dickinson Baker, and the youngest Lincoln son to die.  Eddie died one month … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, History Channel, Inspiration, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Playwrighting, Religion, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

From the 1927 Grand Council of American Indians

From the 1927 Grand Council of American Indians   “The white people, who are trying to make us over into their image, they want us to be what they call “assimilated,” bringing the Indians into the mainstream and destroying our … Continue reading

Posted in Colonial America, Founding Fathers, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, U.S. History, White House | Leave a comment

Mount Vernon's windows…

For a number of years I have always wondered why the West-front windows of Mount Vernon were off-set.  I found a “Ask Mount Vernon” link at George Washington’s Mount Vernon I sent the following note:  I’ve wondered, for several years, why … Continue reading

Posted in Colonial America, Founding Fathers, George Washington, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

…Good Morning, Vietnam: 24 years later…

Growing up in the late 1960’s, I was surrounded with many familiar words, or terms… DMZ (demilitarized zone) KIA MIA Viet Cong Cambodia POW Tet Offensive Ho Chi Minh Trail On the evening news there were television images of helicopters … Continue reading

Posted in Entertainment, Kennedy Family, Movies, Richard Nixon, The Haasienda, The History Channel, U.S. Presidents, Vietnam War, White House, World History | Leave a comment

"Higher, Orville, higher!"

On May 25, 1910 at Huffman Prairie, just outside Dayton, Orville Wright piloted two unique flights. First, he took off on a six-minute flight with Wilbur as his passenger, the only time the Wright brothers ever flew together. They received … Continue reading

Posted in Blogroll, Carillon Park, Deeds Point, Family Life, Family Pets, Katharine Wright-Haskell, Old River Park, Playwrighting, U.S. History, Woodland Cemetery, Wright Brothers | Leave a comment

'1776' at Wilmington

‘1776’ – John Adams: “One useless man is called a disgrace; two are called a law firm; and three or more become a Congress.” This afternoon, my 16 year old son, Quintin, and I drove 35 miles to Wilmington, Ohio … Continue reading

Posted in Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Broadway, Colonial America, Entertainment, Founding Fathers, George Washington, John Adams, Movies, Musical Theatre, Netflix, Performing, Playwrighting, The History Channel, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

Sam Waterston's Remarks at Monticello, July 4th, 2007

Sam Waterston�s Remarks at Monticello, July 4th, 2007 It’s wonderful to be here and a privilege, indeed, to congratulate you, the heroes of the moment in the great work of making and sustaining a government that derives its authority from … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Colonial America, Eleanor Roosevelt, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Mary Todd Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Smithsonian Institute, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

What Makes A Good Citizen?

July 4th, 2007, Jose and I were present for the naturalization ceremony that took place on the expansive lawn of Monticello, the mountaintop plantation of President Thomas Jefferson.  It was a poignant moment for me since this was also the … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Barak Obama, Colonial America, Every day life, Fairmont High School, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, John Adams, The Haasienda, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

Keith Olberman on Islam Community Center

This was well said – finally, someone has presented the facts… Mr. Olberman also stated what I have been listing for weeks – the other Christian parishes immediately ON Ground Zero!!!

Posted in Barak Obama, Blogroll, Founding Fathers, Politics, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

A Muslim & Jewish White House?

In recent months, President Barak Obama has been needled by underground, or less-publicized media, and individual blogs for his support of Muslims celebrating their faith. I was just reading a passage in First Lady Hilary Clinton’s book, AN INVITATION TO … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Christianity, Inspiration, Politics, Religion, Spirituality, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Washington, DC, White House | Leave a comment

Does it really matter?

This has been an amusing several days for news. Lindsay Lohan is sentenced to jail and rehab… Mel Gibson has been acting up, again… Touch Down Jesus will be rebuilt – full body from Indiana limestone… The Barefoot Bandit has … Continue reading

Posted in Actors, Biblical History, Blogroll, Broadway, Christianity, Darin's Career, Disney, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Great Britain, Humor, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Musical Theatre, Performing, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Royal Family, The Haasienda, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

A relaxing holiday…

It is Monday, 1:00pm. The end of the restful, and enjoyable holiday weekend is creeping upon us.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday were the most perfect days we’ve had in weeks. Saturday was a bit steamy, but not too hateful. Sunday, … Continue reading

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Dayton, Documentaries, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, Founding Fathers, Friends, Harry Truman, History Channel, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Music - Band, Netflix, PBS, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, White House | Leave a comment

I belong to a home-town on-line group. The original premise of the group was to keep alumni connected, and to share stories about life in our little Hoosier community. Since the 2008 presidential election I have contributed little to the … Continue reading

Posted in Barak Obama, Christianity, Every day life, Inspiration, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Spirituality, U.S. Presidents | Leave a comment

We… Hold… These… Truths…

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Posted in Abraham Lincoln, Acting, Actors, Ball State University, Barak Obama, Broadway, Carillon Park, Christianity, Colonial America, Composing, Cox Arboretum, Darin's Career, Dayton, Deeds Point, Disney, Documentaries, Eleanor Roosevelt, Entertainment, Every day life, Family Life, Family Pets, First Ladies, Founding Fathers, Franklin Roosevelt, George Washington, Harry Truman, History Channel, Humor, Indiana, Inspiration, John Adams, Kennedy Family, Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library, Mary Todd Lincoln, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Museum of the US Air Force, Music - Band, Music - Choral, Music - Show Choir, Musical Theatre, NACAC, Old River Park, Parenting, PBS, People: Rodgers & Hammerstein, Performing, Playwright, Playwrighting, Politics, Politics - 2008 Election, Religion, Richard Nixon, School, Single Parent, Smithsonian Institute, Spirituality, Teaching, Television, The Haasienda, The History Channel, The Secret, Theatre, Theatre: College, Theatre: Community, Theatre: High School, Theodore Roosevelt, Thoma Jefferson, Touchdown Jesus, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, Vacation & Travel, Washington, DC, White House, Woodland Cemetery, World History | Leave a comment

Declaration of Independence

Declaration of Independence (Adopted by Congress on July 4, 1776) The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America When, in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected … Continue reading

Posted in Colonial America, Founding Fathers, George Washington, Great Britain, History Channel, Inspiration, John Adams, Politics, Smithsonian Institute, The History Channel, Thoma Jefferson, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, World History | Leave a comment

WE THE PEOPLE – Vote for Ryan Vallo

I discovered this incredible video by one of Dayton’s own young celebrities – Ryan Vallo. I am adding Ryan’s text for those who may not have Facebook accounts. “It’s 2010 and change is EVERYWHERE: our government, our environment, our economy, … Continue reading

Posted in Dayton, Documentaries, Entertainment, History Channel, Inspiration, Miami Valley of Ohio, Movies, Netflix, PBS, Politics, Spirituality, Television, U.S. History, U.S. Presidents, World History | Leave a comment