From Wikipedia: John William Finn (24 July 1909 – 27 May 2010) was a sailor in the United States Navy who, as a chief petty officer and aviation ordnanceman, received the United States military’s highest decoration, the [Congressional] Medal of Honor, for his actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor in World War II. ThoughContinue reading “John William Finn: Received Medal of Honor, Pearl Harbor: December 7, 1941”
Category Archives: #history
The Noble Failure: Prohibition in the Champlain Valley
I visited the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum in late September 2023 and filmed this exhibit. The day was hot and humid. Mosquitoes were snacking on my blood all day. That blood must be tasty! Thus, the huffing and puffing you may hear is due to the humidity. Please check out the photos, stories and additionalContinue reading “The Noble Failure: Prohibition in the Champlain Valley”
Auschwitz-Birkenau Book Recommendation
I highly recommend the book Auschwitz-Birkenau. It was published in 1970, which was 25 years after those camps were liberated by the Allies. The author, Adam Kaczkowski, photographed Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1966 and 1968. The book was published two years later. All the photos are in black and white. These B&W pictures are gritty. There wereContinue reading “Auschwitz-Birkenau Book Recommendation”
“Is This a Real Yellow Submarine?”
“Yes! In the 1980’s, brothers Dwayne, Elmer and Steve Baker decided to build Lake Champlain’s first and only yellow submarine. Nothing quite like this had ever been built in the lake, so it took the Bskers a while to get the submarine officially registered with the Coast Guard and Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. WhenContinue reading ““Is This a Real Yellow Submarine?””
Joseph Roberts: American Civil War
Born on November 7, 1841, in Burlington, Vermont, Joseph Roberts decided to join the Union Army. On January 15, 1862, he enlisted at the age of 20. He mustered in on February 12, 1862 as a Private with Company C of the 7th Vermont Infantry. He mustered out March 30, 1864. Roberts re-enlisted January 17,Continue reading “Joseph Roberts: American Civil War”
Guilford Center Meeting House
From Society of Architectural Historians Archipedia: Authors: Glenn M. Andres and Curtis B. Johnson “The dominant feature of its hamlet, this small but lovingly detailed building presents a mix of Vermont traditions from the 1830s. Now home to the local historical society, it was built to house Guilford’s Universalists, reusing timbers from the town’s dismantledContinue reading “Guilford Center Meeting House”
Philadelphia II Refurbishment: Lake Champlain Maritime Museum
“Philadelphia II In May 1989, Lake Champlain Maritime Museum began construction of a replica of the Philadelphia. To save time, LCMM boatbuilders used modern power tools in conjunction with traditional hand tools, but a period-correct blacksmith shop was built to forge the ironwork, including nearly 9,000 nails. Both natural and synthetic fibers for the riggingContinue reading “Philadelphia II Refurbishment: Lake Champlain Maritime Museum”
GUIDED TOUR of the Lincoln Historical Society Museum
“Did you know that Lincoln, Vermont is named after Revolutionary War General Benjamin Lincoln?” “The Lincoln Historical Society (LHS) is dedicated to preserving the history of the Town of Lincoln, Vermont, which includes the communities of Downingsville, West Lincoln and South Lincoln. The LHS operates a museum located in a restored 19th-century farmhouse and barnContinue reading “GUIDED TOUR of the Lincoln Historical Society Museum”
“Bollard Move!”
“While winches were used to move boats out of the water, this object’s purpose was to secure ropes to either a vessel or a dock. Known as a bollard, it kept vessels safely in port during loading and unloading of passengers and cargo.”-Lake Champlain Maritime Museum “History of bollards The term “bollard” first appeared inContinue reading ““Bollard Move!””
William Henry Sterling: American Civil War
William Henry Sterling was born on May 12, 1846 in Moriah, New York. At the age of 18, he enlisted at Plattsburgh, New York, on March 3, 1865. He mustered in “on the same date” on which he mustered in as a Private with Company F of the 5th New York Veteran Infantry Regiment. HeContinue reading “William Henry Sterling: American Civil War”