In the kitchen tonight making something Southern (and oh so yummy!) that was once enjoyed by a famous person in the Civil War era and it’s his family recipe. Can’t wait to share with you later! #historicalcooking #civilwar #historicalrecipes 🇺🇸
Had a wonderful time in Gettysburg this weekend. My husband and I visit a few times a year and truly enjoy our visits every single time. Each visit, we like to pay homage to the battlefield areas and pay our respects to those so bravely fought (and died) so so many years ago. Today we spent a lot of time at Little Round Top (which has a spectacular view of the valley and Devils Den). Of course, it’s quite peaceful now with tourists clamoring for pictures and taking selfies and it’s almost hard to conceive that so much death occurred right under our feet and on the rocks we pose next to and sit on. Such a hollowed place and it’s always nice to come back and remember those who had fallen in those first few days of July 1863.
After our Little Round Top visit, it was wonderful seeing Erik Dorr today at The Gettysburg Museum Of History. Really enjoyed our visit to his museum! Every time we visit we oooh and ahhhh over hid amazing collection. Truly the best museum in all of #gettysburg. If you ever get a chance to visit Gettysburg please stop by and see Erik at The Gettysburg Museum of History.
(Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
For my latest travels, I visited Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Arlington National Cemetery is a military cemetery that is on the opposite side of the Potomac River in our Nation’s capital, Washington D.C. Arlington National Cemetery is a site of many amazing military history exhibits including The Women in Military Service for America Memorial. It is also the home of the historic Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the burial place of two US Presidents: William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy. I spent the majority of my visit at what is known as “Arlington House” or the “Custis-Lee” mansion which was once the home of General Robert E. Lee and family. It was a very interesting visit to the house and I learned first-hand the rich history of the house starting from the construction of the house many years ago.
(In front of Arlington House, Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
The property was originally owned by Martha Washington’s grandson, George Washington Parke Custis, and was built in 1802 and completed around 1818. When George Washington Parke Custis passed away in 1857, he left the estate to his only child, Mary Anna Custis Lee, who was married to Robert E. Lee.
In 1862 during the Civil War, the government took possession of the home due to the owners not being able to pay the property taxes in person. General Lee was away at war and Mrs. Lee had fled the property due to impending danger. She tried to have a relative pay the taxes for her in person but it was not allowed and so therefore, the federal government took possession. To most likely punish the Lee’s, who were thought of traitors for siding with the Confederacy, the grounds surrounding the home were converted by 1864 into a cemetery for the war dead with the first burial being in Mrs. Lee’s beloved rose garden – all done in spite to ensure the Lee’s never returned to the property.
In1882, twelve years after Robert E. Lee’s death, the family sued the U.S. government for illegally confiscating their land. United States v. Lee concluded with the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the Lee family. Since the years had passed and so many were now buried on the property, the family decided to sell the property to the US government.
In 1925, the US Congress passed a law to make Arlington House a memorial to Robert E. Lee. In the 1930’s, the National Park Service obtained the house where it has remained a staple for every history buffs enjoyment
The house maintains original furniture, which is predominantly showcased in my two favorite rooms of the house: the White Parlor and the Family Parlor. The White Parlor (which is located on the left upon entering the house) has Robert E. Lee’s famous red furniture and a bookcase that belonged to our first President himself, George Washington!
(The White Parlor, Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
(George Washington’s Bookcase, Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
The Family Parlor is directly across the hall of the White Parlor, and was used as a recreational room for the Lee children. There’s an easel with painting supplies which are original pieces including a self-portrait done by one of the Lee children. The desk on the far left is a piece I learned was recently donated by one of Lee’s descendants, as well as many other pieces in the house.
(The Family Parlor, Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
(The easel, Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
(The desk, Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
This coming August, Arlington House will be temporarily closed for two years due to upcoming updates to the museum including how visitors experience the house.
Fun fact: The updates are all being paid for by David Rubenstein, a philanthropist who demonstrated his passion for American history by paying for the Washington Monument to be restored following the 2011 earthquake.
You should definitely visit Arlington House before they’re closed for two years and make sure to go on one of the tours offered at the top of every hour. To plan your visit to Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery, click here: http://www.nps.gov/arho/index.htm
(The view from the house, Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Spoonbread is so simple to make and I love simple recipes that are not complex. As I always like to point out: I am not a Martha Stewart type (no offense to the “Martha’s” out there!) Here is a wonderful recipe from Mount Vernon and its so neat to think that maybe Martha Washington used this same simple recipe to make this special treat for George. The history of Spoonbread goes all the way back to the Native Americans and it was a favorite of President James Monroe’s. The first recipe in print was published in 1847 in a fabulous cookbook authored by Sarah Rutledge titled: The Carolina Housewife.
Here is what we came up with in the kitchen tonight. It was simple. Fun. Yummy!
My mother recently turned 80 years old and was reflecting on the types of food her mother once made for her. Her fondest memory was of her mother making something called “Poor Man’s Cake.” It was the war years and families couldn’t afford the luxuries of many items and had to learn to do without. Poor Man’s Cake (also called “Depression Cake”) was a popular staple in many homes in this era and as a child, my mother loved it because it was all they could afford to make at home. My mother often comments on how they didn’t know they lacked for anything financially because there was just so much love in the house.
The cake was perfect because it used what most people had in their kitchen which were the common ingredients of: flour, sugar, spices and raisins. Eggs were not included in the recipe.
When my mother was telling me the story about the cake her mother once made for her and how she hadn’t had it since childhood, I put my “internet sleuth” hat on and researched all about Poor Man’s Cake. I was looking for an authentic recipe that had not been modernized too much and I came across a wonderful article about a man who made the cake using his mothers recipe and well…be still my heart! This is the recipe that I used to make the cake with right here.
As soon as I made the cake, I decided to surprise my mom by shipping it off to her so that she could enjoy it. She enjoyed the cake and even shared it with her neighbors.
This past Sunday, Jim and I made our way over to Mount Hebron Cemetery and Gatehouse in Winchester, Virginia. It was a misty, dreary afternoon with a little bit of fog and it was the perfect setting to go walking throughout these hollowed grounds. We found our way to the Stonewall Cemetery section which is the Confederate soldiers burial grounds and memorial. Even though it had been such a long time ago when these heroes had perished – I just couldn’t help but have a heavy heart. The rows and rows of the dead behind the large monuments representing their home States was truly astonishing.
The Stonewall Cemetery has 2576 war dead.
These men were so young and so valiant. They were loyal and honorable. Most of these young men were only in their twenties when they were called to fight in a war and left home knowing that they would most likely never return. They did so without reservation and for something that they believed in: life and liberty. Love of Country. Freedom.
Thank God that for the men and women who still believe in the same principles of our fallen heroes and have the desire to step up when others are not able to. Thank you to the ones who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.
We will never forget you and will always have much gratitude.
Had a great day hanging out with The Historical Traveler discussing our next projects over pasta and warm bread (with yummy olive oil, of course!) Hope you all have a fabulous weekend ❤️🇺🇸
Standing in front of Cedar Hill, the home of Frederick Douglass (Photo Credit: The Historical Homemaker)
My latest travels took me to the historic museum and home of Frederick Douglass, located in Southeast Washington D.C. The museum showcased a timeline of Frederick Douglass’ life which included his many accomplishments and the influences he had on the course of American history. In the museum, there is a wall of his famous quotations, original pieces of his work, and of course, you can visit his beloved home, Cedar Hill, where he spent the last years of his life.
He was born into bondage in 1818 in the vicinity of Talbot County, Maryland. At eight years old, he was sent to a plantation in Baltimore, Maryland and this is where the mistress of the plantation grew very fond of him and started teaching him how to read and write – a practice that was uncommon for the time period (and in some places in the US it was against the law).
Frederick Douglass said goodbye to Baltimore in 1838 when he was 20 years old – leaving his former life in bondage behind for a brand new life in New York. Anna Murray Douglass, his first wife, sold her personal belongings to purchase him a ticket to New York. He was still a slave, however, and he vowed not to marry Anna as a slave but only if he were a free man. It wasn’t until after he secured his freedom that he and Anna were married. It was in New York that he met with the famous abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison who recognized Frederick Douglass as a talented speaker. He was then enlisted to give speeches across the country to help educate people about the horrible atrocities of slavery. Being that he knew first had what being a slave entailed, he was able to give a personal perspective on slavery and his audience continued to grow and he became a very popular orator.
Some of the highlights of his life:
One of Frederick Douglass’ famous quotes on display at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Original autobiography copy on display at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Frederick Douglass’ Family Tree on Display at the Frederick Douglass National Historic Site (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Exterior of Cedar Hill (I’m sitting on the left side of the porch) (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
On February 20, 1895, Frederick Douglass died of a massive heart attack at Cedar Hill, and was buried at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY with his first wife, Anna. Shortly after he passed, Helen Pitts Douglass established the Frederick Douglass Memorial and Historical Association to preserve his legacy as well as his impact on United States history. The association still maintains the legacy today.
Cedar Hill beautifully sits on top of a hill overlooking Southeast Washington D.C. The tours are free, during which you will learn about the history of the house and Frederick Douglass’ time while living there. Most of the items in the house are original pieces including the portraits, dining room furniture, and beds.
There are several rooms in the house including two rooms for entertaining and over half a dozen bedrooms. Although the entire house is rich with history, three rooms in particular I found most interesting: the first den, the dining room, one of the three guest rooms for women, and Frederick Douglass’ bedroom, all of which have original pieces from when he lived at the house.
Entertaining room, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
The first room used for informal entertaining of guests and showcases a piano in the left corner, a fireplace in the center of the room, and a bust of Frederick Douglass gifted to his family when he lived there. I learned in the tour that Frederick Douglass combined interior design with remembrance of American history, this being shown by the ball and chain tied around the curtains to the room symbolizing the roots of slavery in American history.
Picture of ball and chain curtain ties, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
The dining room of Cedar Hill include pictures taken with other prominent Washington, DC people at the time, and original dining furniture. Frederick Douglass sat at the head of the table. This is indicated by the wheels on the bottom of the chair, which made it easier for him to stand up and speak, which he did frequently while entertaining his distinguished guests.
Dining Room, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
On the second floor of Cedar Hill, there are three bedrooms: three for women (including guests and one room for each of his wives) and three rooms for men (including the personal bedroom of Frederick Douglass). The guest room used for women included an original portrait of Susan B. Anthony, whom he was very fond of for her advocacy for women’s rights.
Many people don’t know that since 1848, Frederick Douglass was also an advocate for women’s right to vote.
Women’s guest room with Susan B. Anthony portrait in the upper left side, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
His bedroom was opposite of his first wife’s room in the upstairs hall. Frederick Douglass would use dumbbells to work out every morning after waking up to exercise and stay physically fit. Cedar Hill has these dumbbells and they can be seen on display by the foot of the chair in his room
Frederick Douglass’ bedroom, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Chair with original Dumbbells, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Two other pieces I found very interesting include his desk in his office and a trunk with his name on it, which was used on his many travels throughout the country and Europe.
Frederick Douglass’ Trunk, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Frederick Douglass’ Office, Cedar Hill (Photo Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Every room in Cedar Hill is beautiful in its unique way and the tour guides are very knowledgeable and will answer any questions you can think of while touring the house. Visiting Cedar Hill and learning about Frederick Douglass’ life and his huge impact on American History was truly a memorable experience for me, not to mention the wonderful scenic view from Cedar Hill.
View from outside Cedar Hill (Phot Credit: The Historical Traveler)
Click here to plan your free visit to Cedar Hill and the Frederick Douglass Museum.
Today in American history…Andrew Johnson married Eliza McCardle. He was 18 and she was 16 years old with they were married in the small town of Warrenton, TN on May 17, 1827. She was known to have had a calming effect on him – especially during the trying times of his troubled presidency.
The Historical Homemaker 