Cynthia Collins's Blog, page 2

Schubertiade: History of Austria’s Music Festival Honoring Franz Schubert

The city of Hohenems, in Austria, kicks off its annual music festival, known as the Schubertiade, for 2017 on May 4. This event began more than 40 years ago to honor the music of composer Franz Schubert. Set in the beautiful Rhine valley in Austria’s westernmost state of Vorarlberg, the combination of Alpine scenery and […]

South Street Seaport Museum Celebrates Its First 50 Years

The South Street Seaport Museum, near the Brooklyn Bridge in Lower Manhattan, will be celebrating its first 50 years on Saturday, April 29, 2017, as New York City’s iconic maritime museum of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The event is from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the ringing of the 1907 lightship Ambrose […]

The Antiquities Act: Preserving History by Presidential Proclamation

The American Antiquities Act of 1906 was legislation that made it possible for the president of United States to designate sites on federal land as national monuments by presidential proclamation. This was enacted after years of private collectors taking artifacts from prehistoric sites in the southwestern U.S. that dated back to approximately the 11th century […]

Lincoln University: Founded by Missouri Civil War Soldiers of the U.S. Colored Infantry

After the Civil War ended, members of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantry founded Lincoln University in Jefferson City, MO. This historically black university was named after President Lincoln, and opened Sept. 17, 1866 under the name Lincoln Institute. The decision to open a school was to offer education opportunities “for the special […]

Dred Scott and His Impact on America

Dred Scott, a slave, sued for his freedom in the slave state of Missouri based on a law that determined slavery status depending on time spent in free states. His case went all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court and further escalated the already deep tensions throughout the nation regarding slavery. His story is […]

The Statue of Liberty: Beacon of Hope

In New York Harbor, there is a statue that stands as the symbol of freedom, hope, and liberty. She holds her torch high as a beacon welcoming people from distant shores, of different cultures and languages–immigrants who have come to America for a better life. The inscription at the base of the Statue of Liberty […]

Tall Ship Wavertree: Flagship of South Street Seaport Museum Comes Home

The tall ship Wavertree (1885) returns to her berth at the South Street Seaport Museum, Pier 16, on September 24, 2016, following an extensive restoration. This full-rigged sailing ship was one of the last large wrought iron sailing vessels ever built and is the last survivor of her kind. Her history spans four continents, numerous […]

Mark Twain on the Mississippi River

Mark Twain, the American author and humorist, grew up a short walk from the Mississippi River in Hannibal, MO. The river, with its constant yet ever changing course, provided a perfect outlet for the young boy’s imagination and sense of adventure. Before he became one of the world’s best-known authors, he was a Mississippi riverboat […]

Seamen’s Bethel: Chapel for Mariners in Fact and Fiction

Seamen’s Bethel, a chapel in New Bedford, MA, was built in 1832 as a non-denominational house of worship for mariners who were either preparing for or returning from whaling expeditions. In addition to its role as a spiritual anchor, it served as a memorial with historical records of those who lost their lives at sea. […]

Why Preserve Historic Places

The idea behind historic preservation is to preserve buildings, objects, artifacts, and outdoor locations of historical importance for current and future generations. Seeing something tangible from the past provides a greater authenticity to history instead of only hearing about it. Why was something built or created in the first place? What was the significance of […]