Brian Tomlin | March 18, 2013
In America we use the term Victorian fairly loosely, especially in reference to architectural styles. Queen Victoria reigned in Britain from 1837 to 1901, a long sweep of time that incorporates several styles and periods of fashion. We have come to use the term Victorian in America as a general term, and yet many of […]
Brian Tomlin | March 4, 2013
This is the first of a ten part series on the “Victorian home,” a general term used to describe the types of houses and home life during the Civil War. Part one is an overview of a variety of topics relating to home life during the period. The remaining posts in the series will each take one […]
Brian Tomlin | February 28, 2013
February 1863 February 2: American writer Samuel Clemens begins using the pen name “Mark Twain” for the first time February 7: The HMS Orpheus (built 1860) sinks attempting to enter Manukau Harbor, which was not in its intended route. The ship was behind schedule and attempted to take a short cut while delivering supplies for […]
Brian Tomlin | February 18, 2013
Prior to the Civil War, banks in the United States were chartered and regulated by individual states. Each state-chartered bank issued its own currency. As the nation’s economy grew throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, this system proved unstable and unreliable, as it depended in the financial practices and lending decisions of thousands […]
Brian Tomlin | January 31, 2013
This monthly column seeks to provide a context for events going on during the Civil War era that are not directly war related. This column will appear around the last day of the month and will summarize the historically significant events from around the world 150 years ago. January 1863 January 1: Lincoln issues Emancipation Proclamation January 1: […]
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