Dates: 1914-1918

Maker: Underwood & Underwood Publishers

Place: USA

Donor: Gift of Karen Jacobsen Lenthall

Photographer Credit: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

2014.074.11

For more information on our collection of stereocards, check out our blog!

California Trail Historic Interpretive Center - A covered wagon that actually made this trek in the 1800's and a recreated Washoe Native American dwelling. This nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers was collectively part of the Great Basin people group. The Washoe were distinct from other native tribes because of their unique language and cultural practices. California Trail Historic Interpretive Center outside Elko, NV off of Interstae 80. Photoshop & Topaz Filters used.

This is one of many, many displays at Jerry's backyard junk in Louisville, Kentucky. There were a number of junk displays such as this one where pieces were put together that conveyed political zingers.

Photos taken while on board the Columbus Replica ships, the Pinta and the Niña.

The Union Paciifc 8444 (as it was numbered then) pulls a damaged Southern Pacific 4449 in Freedom Train paint from Omaha to Cheyenne, WY to the shops for more work. I'm riding in the cab of the 4449 with my dad on a glorious Indian Summer day from Omaha to Grand Island, NE.

I had been wanting to scan this for a long time. When I grabbed it, I realized - it's 35 years later to the day! And today's weather was quite similar to 10/12/75.

BTW - we had an impressive lunch in the VP's business car at the end of the train and rode a U-50 back.

He is ranked among world history’s most brilliant military commanders. He was a critical U.S. President who insisted that the vote be expanded to include black men. Under his administration, white supremacy militants and terrorism under the klan were obliterated. And for national park lovers, it was Ulysses S. Grant who had the foresight to sign legislation that opened the world's first national park, Yellowstone.*

Most people do not think of Kentucky when they think of Grant but they should. Born in Ohio just across the Ohio River from the Kentucky shoreline, Ulysses S. Grant had deep family ties to Kentucky. The Ohioan would attend school in Maysville, Kentucky. His uncle was a Kentuckian. When Grant became older, his parents would become Kentuckians. His wife and children would live in Kentucky.

When the Confederacy double-crossed Governor Beriah Magoffin by invading Kentucky in Columbus thereby breaking Kentucky's neutrality, which the governor had staked so much of his governorship on, it was Grant's masterful plan that preserved Western Kentucky and fell that massively fortified Confederate base without firing a single shot against it. Western Kentucky, which is to say Kentucky, was spared massive casualties and battles thanks to Grant's military strategem.

There are no authentic audio recordings of Grant. When I once visited Grant's boyhood home in Ohio, I commented how some of the people there had something of a Kentucky accent. A hint of a southern twang. The curator said that Ulysses Grant had that Southern Ohio/Ohio River accent as well. I took her word for it. If so I wonder when Grant met Lincoln if the two were comforted in hearing that similar accent, that hint of their childhood homes so close to each other.

Abraham Lincoln thought of Republican Grant as the two of them being two peas in the same pod. When Lincoln was asked what would happen if Republican Grant ran for President and won to replace Republican Lincoln, Lincoln replied: “He is fully committed to the policy of emancipation and employing Negro soldiers; and with this policy faithfully carried out, it will not make much difference who is president.”

The more I read about Grant the more I like him, foibles and all.

--

*Footnote: Regarding Yellowstone National Park, the U.S. National Park Service webpage states: "On March 1, 1872, President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law. The world’s first national park was born."

Pea Ridge Military Park.

Rural Arkansas.

10th anniversary trip.

Sony SLT-A77MkII DT 16-50 f2.8

The Engine House, also known as John Brown's Fort.

Olympus E5 & Contax Zeiss Sonnar 180 f/2.8

Copyright Wayne Kryka

Washoe Indian tribe. This nomadic tribe of hunter-gatherers was collectively part of the Great Basin people group. The Washoe were distinct from other native tribes because of their unique language and cultural practices. California Trail Historic Interpretive Center outside Elko, NV off of Interstate 80. Photoshop & Topaz Filters used.

This cemetery holds more than 6,100 Union soldiers are buried, including 2,562 unknown soldiers. The cemetery also contains the remains of nearly 1,000 veterans and family members from post-Civil War conflicts. The Confederate dead from the battle were not buried in the national cemetery, but rather in a memorial plot in Evergreen Cemetery called Confederate Circle.

Collectibles from Germany. Collected by Dad, WALC and Lorna in Germany 1930s

on Welcome to the Enlightenment!

on Silence Dogood Essay #3

yousuf on Benjamin Franklin’s Birthplace

Sites @ Suffolk University

“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”

It is commonly mistaken that Franklin once said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” However, Franklin apparently did not like beer very much and was much more of a wine lover. The quote originally came from a letter that Franklin wrote to his friend André Morellet while he was in France. He stated,

“Behold the rain which descends from heaven upon our vineyards, and which incorporates itself with the grapes to be changed into wine; a constant proof that God loves us, and loves to see us happy!”

www.ushistory.org/franklin/quotable/singlehtml.htm

Although Franklin does love wine, here, he may be referring to the greatness of God and the wonders of the rain and the vineyards, rather than the greatness of wine. However, either way, the quote never had anything to do with beer.

It is still unknown who started this rumor, or when his words got twisted since it it so hard to trace the roots to a rumor that started so long ago. However, according to beer.about.com/od/historyofbeer, the rumor may have spread so broadly because so many people commonly use the quote, and after hearing it so often, it is automatically is believed to be true. Also, since Franklin is known to have a satirical side to him, it would not be preposterous to believe that he may have said such a thing. However, today the false quote is still printed on-shirts all around the world.

Site of the Battle of Brandywine, September 11, 1777.

Starting from this point in Fort Defiance, Illinois, at the confluence of the Mississippi River (left of the point) and Ohio River (with slightly more tan-colored water on the right of the point), Ulysses S. Grant moved down the Mississippi River from one win after another, gradually commanding the entire river and breaking the Confederacy's back.

The United States won control of the water superhighway, the Mississippi River, splitting the Confederate States from east to west.

The phenomenal general was eventually promoted to oversee the entire U.S. Army. Given double duty, Grant would also personally command the Army of the Potomac back east.

Devising a strategy to end the Civil War, Grant had General William Tecumseh Sherman march southeast, now breaking the legs of the Confederacy in a sweep from Chattanooga to Atlanta to Savanah up to the Carolinas. Meanwhile to the north, Grant and his Army of the Potomac pursued the Confederacy's top general in Virginia. By cutting off its supply lines in Petersburg, Richmond, the capitol of the Confederate States, fell. Where one U.S. general after another had failed against Lee, Ulysses Grant had pressed on and succeeded. But he also obliterated Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia.

Lee surrendered at Appomattox.

Woodpile on the side of an outbuilding at the Thompson-Neely House in Washington Crossing Historic Park in Pennsylvania. I thought the textures and colors of the building and wood were interesting. Visit this great park at www.ushistory.org/WashingtonCrossing/index.htm.

Dates: 1875

Maker: T. Lewis

Place: USA: Massachusetts, Cambridgeport

Donor: Gift of Helder S. Costa

Photographer Credit: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

99.006.5

For more information on our collection of stereocards, check out our blog!

Beach goers most likely have no idea what this is..

WWII Gun mount from the 40's protecting the US

It was uncovered by hurricane Michael, located at St. Andrews State Park FL

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8WvBErnLCs

Gettysburg battlefield; American Civil War 1861-1865

Nestled in the heart of Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, the Meriwether Lewis Museum offers a captivating glimpse into the rich tapestry of American exploration and history. Housed in a beautifully preserved historic building, the museum stands as a testament to Lewis’s role in the Corps of Discovery and the pivotal part Harpers Ferry played in early American expansion.

The museum building itself reflects the enduring craftsmanship of early 19th-century architecture, with its striking red brick façade, soft blue shutters, and stone foundation that hint at the town’s industrial and mercantile past. Originally built during the bustling era when Harpers Ferry thrived as a transportation hub, the structure now serves as a gateway for visitors to step back in time and explore the legacy of Meriwether Lewis and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Inside, the exhibits detail Lewis’s journey westward, his preparations at Harpers Ferry, and the broader context of the Corps of Discovery’s groundbreaking exploration of the American frontier. Interpretive panels, artifacts, and photographs enrich the visitor experience, while the museum’s carefully preserved architecture embodies the town’s historical significance.

The Meriwether Lewis Museum is more than a tribute to an intrepid explorer; it’s a window into the ambitions, challenges, and achievements of a young nation. Standing at the intersection of commerce, conflict, and discovery, the museum’s location highlights Harpers Ferry’s central role in America’s story—where rivers met, railroads converged, and history unfolded.

As visitors wander the cobblestone streets of Harpers Ferry and gaze upon the museum’s inviting red brick, they are invited to reflect on the audacity of exploration and the resilience of the American spirit. The Meriwether Lewis Museum is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, architecture lovers, and anyone intrigued by the compelling tales of America’s past.

This marker is located at Round Island Park near the beach. The incident is mentioned in the book, U333 The Story of a U-boat Ace by Peter Cremer.

Dates: 1914-1918

Maker: Keystone View Company

Place: USA

Donor: Gift of Karen Jacobsen Lenthall

Photographer Credit: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

2014.074.40

For more information on our collection of stereocards, check out our blog!

Harpers Ferry, WV

West Martello Tower also known as the Key West Garden Club. The fort was built during the American Civil War and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places

My redhead friend's dad doesn't believe that she ever studies. She showed him this picture so that he has proof.

Bathe in light, marble, and meaning—the Great Hall of the Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building in Washington, DC is more than an entranceway. It's a declaration that knowledge deserves a palace. This photograph, taken from the second-floor loggia, captures the hall’s luminous grandeur, from its soaring Corinthian columns to the allegorical ceiling murals that inspire reverence in all who pass beneath them.

Completed in 1897 during America’s Gilded Age, the Jefferson Building is the oldest of the Library’s facilities and one of the most ornate public buildings in the country. Its Beaux-Arts architecture is exemplified by this loggia, which wraps around the central atrium like a gallery of civic pride and classical elegance. Here, marble balustrades and arched colonnades frame views of the bustling entryway below, where visitors gaze upward in wonder.

Above, a brilliantly illuminated ceiling features a mosaic of fresco medallions and symbolic figures, each representing virtues such as Poetry, Science, Art, Philosophy, and Law. Painted by a team of 19th-century artists under the direction of Edward Pearce Casey, these murals align with the building’s founding principle: to showcase the best of human achievement in literature, learning, and culture.

Circular lunettes beneath each arch hold female allegorical portraits symbolizing abstract ideals. A closer look reveals gilded phrases etched into friezes, such as "The true university of these days is a collection of books." Every surface tells a story, and every story points to a belief in democracy through access to knowledge.

The photograph’s perspective from the second floor emphasizes the architectural rhythm of repeating arches and paired columns, creating a harmonious procession of forms. The verticality of the space is softened by the warm glow of reflected light off the white Tennessee marble, punctuated by shadows cast from the dramatic ceiling.

Below, in the distance, visitors cluster near the overlook to glimpse the famed Main Reading Room—but here, we linger in a space just as vital. The loggia serves as a contemplative promenade, where the public engages not only with books, but with the visual language of American ideals.

The Jefferson Building was part of a broader movement to elevate the status of libraries from quiet book depositories to temples of civic enlightenment. In no space is that ambition more fully realized than this Great Hall, where classical architecture meets a uniquely American aesthetic of optimism and intellectual freedom.

This image offers a moment of stillness within a space designed to move the soul. It’s a reminder that architecture, at its best, doesn’t just shelter us—it inspires us.

Philadelphia, 2012

WWII Gun mount from the 40's protecting the US

It was uncovered by hurricane Michael, located at St. Andrews State Park FL

www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8WvBErnLCs

Information about the history of the old Burlington Waterworks in Burlington, New Jersey.

burl waterworks 04-08-14-1265

The historic Philip Frankel & Co. building at Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, stands as a beautifully preserved testament to the town’s vibrant 19th-century commercial history. Nestled on High Street, this red brick structure features characteristic black shutters, a charming second-story balcony, and an ornate iron sign that proudly proclaims “Philip Frankel & Co.” The building’s distinctive architecture reflects Harpers Ferry’s unique position at the crossroads of commerce, trade, and industry in the 1800s.

During the late 19th century, Harpers Ferry was a bustling town filled with shops, factories, and visitors arriving by train or canal boat. The Philip Frankel & Co. building was one of the busiest mercantile establishments in town, offering a wide variety of goods ranging from boots and shoes to hats and dry goods. The storefront windows, carefully restored, now display historical reproductions of merchandise that might have lined the shelves in the 1870s, including boots, hats, and other essential items for travelers and townsfolk alike.

The building itself is a study in classic commercial design of its time: three stories of sturdy brick construction with large storefront windows designed to draw in customers. The black shutters and trim details give the building a dignified appearance, while the iron balcony adds a touch of elegance. Its prominent location on High Street made it a hub for local trade, and it played a key role in serving the growing community.

Today, visitors to Harpers Ferry can step back in time as they stroll by this building, imagining the lively conversations, bustling trade, and sights and sounds that once filled its halls. The National Park Service has worked diligently to preserve its historical character, ensuring that generations to come can appreciate the architecture and significance of the Philip Frankel & Co. store.

Harpers Ferry itself is a treasure trove of history, from its role in the Civil War to its significance in the struggle for African American freedom, including John Brown’s famous raid. The Philip Frankel & Co. building stands as a silent witness to these events, offering a tangible connection to the town’s storied past.

Whether you’re a history enthusiast, architecture lover, or simply someone who appreciates beautifully preserved heritage sites, the Philip Frankel & Co. building is a must-see landmark. It embodies the spirit of Harpers Ferry’s rich history and invites visitors to explore the town’s enduring legacy.

I like the United States because they supported an evolution of guitar playing. But the history of the United States is also marked by the use of firearms. Maybe you have time to read my latest statement in my BLOG about Gabrielle Giffords and the recent shooting in Tucson flickrcomments.wordpress.com/2011/01/10/violence/ about violence and weapons in the USA ...

42nd NY Memorial, Gettysburg National Battlefield

The Angle was the focus of Pickett's Charge on the final day of the battle, July 3rd, 1863. A few Confederate troops actually reached this point, but not enough, The Southerners were repulsed after both side inflicted horrific carnage on one another,

This is the most unusual monument I saw, I'm not sure why the creators of the monument chose to use an image of a Native American for the memorial. If anyone knows, please let me know!

Majestic figures of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Last time I was here, dozens of tourists stared up at this historic light, climbed its steps, and picnicked in its shadow. This time, even the early morning fog could not hide the loneliness of North Head, though had I stepped more than 50 yards, it would have been altogether invisible. Often confused with the older, smaller Cape Disappointment Lighthouse, North Head was built to cover a stretch of ocean around the bluffs from Cape Disappointment, which was mistakenly built too far around the corner, more along the Columbia than along the Pacific. It's a scenic and charming lighthouse, and it's now within one of America's newest national parks, Lewis and Clark National Historic Park.

Photos taken while on board the Columbus Replica ships, the Pinta and the Niña.

Dates: 1875-1935

Maker: Keystone View Company

Place: USA

Donor: Gift of Michael T. Heitke

Photographer Credit: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

2013.036.46

For more information on our collection of stereocards, check out our blog!

The more I learn about this Civil War general for the Union, the more I like him.

Although born and raised in Virginia, Major General George Thomas was a key leader for the United States during the Civil War. The Union general set up headquarters on Main Street, Lebanon, Kentucky. He formed the 10th Kentucky Infantry there and trained local recruits. It is to him and his efforts that modern Lebanon created a park and a life-sized sculpture by Rudy Ayoroa to remember him.

In the early years, as battle after battle went to the Confederacy, Thomas saw success for the United States. In January of 1862, Thomas, along with his 10th Kentucky Infantry of Central Kentuckians, routed Confederate General Zollicoffer at the Battle of Mill Springs, near Nancy, Kentucky.

Thomas didn't have much of a cheering squad. His Virginia family disowned him. Rebs considered him a traitor. Fellow Union officers were suspicious of him because of where he came from. The press paid little attention to him, despite his successes in Mill Springs, Perryville, critical Chicamauga, Peachtree Creek, Franklin, Atlanta and brilliant Nashville. In the scheme of things, Grant and Sherman were brighter stars.

A bold stand by Thomas and his troops helped turn around a Union defeat into a win at Chicamauga Creek, Tennessee. In essence, General Thomas was beaten, minced and pounded on all sides. And yet he stood firm. "Rock of Chickamauga" is one of his nicknames.

Grant and Sherman thought of him as a brilliant strategist. He would plan right, wait as forces played into his hands, and then execute his plan with exactness, or act quickly if it looked as if it was as good as it was going to get. But he didn't believe in succumbing to brashness. When Thomas's troops moved against the enemy, the enemy was about to lose.

"In defense of freedom and the integrity of the Union," explained the Virginian and former slave-owner to his troops for a final time about their sacrifice as they celebrated the end of the Civil War in a Nashville parade.

Photographer's note: I used the Prisma app on my photo to artistically amplify those qualities of being minced and hit and yet firm as a rock.

Delano, Jack,, photographer.

Repair tracks of the Chicago and Northwestern R.R.

1942 Dec.

1 transparency : color.

Notes:

Title from FSA or OWI agency caption.

Transfer from U.S. Office of War Information, 1944.

Subjects:

Chicago and North Western Railway Company

World War, 1939-1945

Railroad shops & yards

Night

United States--Illinois--Melrose Park

Format: Transparencies--Color

Rights Info: No known restrictions on publication.

Repository: Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA, hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print

Part Of: Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Collection 12002-1 (DLC) 93845501

General information about the FSA/OWI Color Photographs is available at hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.fsac

Higher resolution image is available (Persistent URL): hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/fsac.1a34689

Call Number: LC-USW36-1079

Located in a beautiful setting near Nashville, Tennessee, this Greek revival mansion was home to Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), seventh president of the United States. Jackson is no longer one of the more revered of presidents due to his harsh treatment of Indians and his ownership of slaves. However, we still must remember his contributions, particularly as an officer during the War of 1812.

This National Historic Landmark is open to the public and is a popular tourist destination. Also on the National Register of Historic Places.

Dates: 1914-1918

Maker: Keystone View Company

Donor: Gift of Karen Jacobsen Lenthall

Photographer Credit: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

2014.074.17

For more information on our collection of stereocards, check out our blog!

Bowman's Hill Tower, (also known as Bowman's Tower), is a 125-foot-tall (38 m) stone tower located in Washington Crossing Historic Park in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. It is administered by the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission. The tower was built on Bowman's Hill, which is on the dividing line between the Upper Makefield Township,and Solebury Township.

Construction on Bowman's Hill Tower tower began in 1929 and was completed in 1931. It stands 125 feet tall and its base measures 24 feet on a side. The tower was constructed from native stone quarried from Bowman's Hill and nearby stone fences. Quarries in Lumberville, Pennsylvania and Lawrenceville, New Jersey provided cut stone to be used for the sills and balustrades. Over 2,400 tons of materials were used in its construction, including; 1,200 perch of stone, 517 tons of sand and 225 tons of cement. In order to provide a solid foundation for the tower, the base was excavated 15 feet (4.57 m). The labor for the construction was provided by employees of the Washington Crossing Park Commission. Including labor, the tower cost $100,000 to build. By 1934 the Tower was struck many times by lightning which resulted in the installation of a lightning protection system by the National Lightning Protection Company of St. Louis, Missouri. During the 1930s the Civil Works Administration and the Works Progress Administration planted over 28,300 seedlings in an effort to reforest the area. A large number of erosion control measures were taken to include the setting of large numbers of rocks and boulders. Additionally, they created two vistas from the tower to the Delaware River, one on the north side of the hill and the other on the southeast side. In the 1980s the tower was extensively restored and an elevator was installed. Previously visitors climbed an open stone spiral staircase to the observation point at the top of the tower. The elevator goes three-quarters of the way to the top and lets out onto a wooden landing. Visitors must then climb a small and narrow 23-step stone spiral staircase to the tower roof. Additionally, there is a parapet over the final stairs that gives the tower its distinctive look.

The information above comes from Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowman%27s_Hill_Tower

www.ushistory.org/washingtoncrossing/visit/index.htm

Dates: 1875-1912

Maker: E. & H. T. Anthony & Co.

Place: USA: New York, New York City

Donor: Museum Purchase

Photographer Credit: Scottish Rite Masonic Museum & Library

2002.024

For more information on our collection of stereocards, check out our blog!

Pea Ridge Natl. Military Park.

Pea Ridge Arkansas USA.

10th anniversary trip.

Sony SLT-A57 DT 55-200 f3.5 SAM