James Lee
@writer1626.bsky.social
Freelance writer and history blogger. Author of the book Safe Passage. Follow me at Traveling to History www.jamesflee.com/blog
Reposted by James Lee
This digital image of Charles Blaskowitz's early 1777 map of New York Island doesn't do it justice -- it is taller than I am -- but it is a unique perspective on the British invasion. It narrates the British campaign. Zoom in for delicious details. #HATM
www.argomaps.org/maps/commonw...
www.argomaps.org/maps/commonw...
A plan of New York Island, and part of Long Island, with the circumjacent country, as far as Dobbs's Ferry to the north, and White Plains to the east, including the rivers, islands, roads, &ca - Ameri...
American Revolutionary Geographies Online is a portal containing thousands of maps from dozens of institutions that bring to life the history and geography of the American Revolutionary War era.
www.argomaps.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:27 AM
This digital image of Charles Blaskowitz's early 1777 map of New York Island doesn't do it justice -- it is taller than I am -- but it is a unique perspective on the British invasion. It narrates the British campaign. Zoom in for delicious details. #HATM
www.argomaps.org/maps/commonw...
www.argomaps.org/maps/commonw...
Nellie Bly left for her around-the-world trip on this day in 1889. 72 days later she was back home in #NewYorkCity. Read about Nellie's New York in my blog post below.
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
Traveling to History: Five — James F. Lee
Nellie Bly’s New York
www.jamesflee.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Nellie Bly left for her around-the-world trip on this day in 1889. 72 days later she was back home in #NewYorkCity. Read about Nellie's New York in my blog post below.
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
@newyorkalmanack.bsky.social @nyhistory.bsky.social @discovering.nyc @brookekroeger.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
"It's like the owners locked the door and walked away."
Traveling to History visits #Pennsylvania and the Cornwall Iron Furnace, a completely intact charcoal blast furnace from the 19th Century.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/cornwel...
Traveling to History visits #Pennsylvania and the Cornwall Iron Furnace, a completely intact charcoal blast furnace from the 19th Century.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/cornwel...
Traveling to History: Thirty-Three — James F. Lee
CORNWALL IRON FURNACE A Vestige from a Long-ago Industry Remains Intact
www.jamesflee.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:41 PM
"It's like the owners locked the door and walked away."
Traveling to History visits #Pennsylvania and the Cornwall Iron Furnace, a completely intact charcoal blast furnace from the 19th Century.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/cornwel...
Traveling to History visits #Pennsylvania and the Cornwall Iron Furnace, a completely intact charcoal blast furnace from the 19th Century.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/cornwel...
Read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." A great way to get in the Halloween spirit.
October 31, 2025 at 2:22 PM
Read "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." A great way to get in the Halloween spirit.
It's time for my tradition of reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow just before Halloween. I love Irving's description of the flora and fauna of the #hudsonvalley, and, of course, of Ichabod Crane, too. He captures the bounty and foreboding of autumn perfectly. #VisitHudsonValley #WashingtonIrving
October 28, 2025 at 6:46 PM
It's time for my tradition of reading The Legend of Sleepy Hollow just before Halloween. I love Irving's description of the flora and fauna of the #hudsonvalley, and, of course, of Ichabod Crane, too. He captures the bounty and foreboding of autumn perfectly. #VisitHudsonValley #WashingtonIrving
On the Fourth of July 1898, the steamer Surf City was taking passengers home after a day of celebrating at #SalemWillows. A sudden gale capsized the boat. Eight women and children lost their lives.
@salemma.bsky.social #BeverlyMass @mhs1791.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
@salemma.bsky.social #BeverlyMass @mhs1791.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
Traveling to History: Thirty-Two — James F. Lee
THE SURF CITY DISASTER Eight Lives Lost When Excursion Steamer Capsizes
www.jamesflee.com
September 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM
On the Fourth of July 1898, the steamer Surf City was taking passengers home after a day of celebrating at #SalemWillows. A sudden gale capsized the boat. Eight women and children lost their lives.
@salemma.bsky.social #BeverlyMass @mhs1791.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
@salemma.bsky.social #BeverlyMass @mhs1791.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
The steamer Surf City capsized in Beverly Harbor on the Fourth of July 1898. Eight people lost their lives, including three siblings. Here is my story about this disaster.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
Traveling to History: Thirty-Two — James F. Lee
THE SURF CITY DISASTER Eight Lives Lost When Excursion Steamer Capsizes
www.jamesflee.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:21 PM
The steamer Surf City capsized in Beverly Harbor on the Fourth of July 1898. Eight people lost their lives, including three siblings. Here is my story about this disaster.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
www.jamesflee.com/blog/surf-ci...
Reposted by James Lee
James Fenimore Cooper’s visit to Lake George in August, 1824 helped inspire his novel Last of the Mohicans.
The Lake George Trip That Inspired 'Last of the Mohicans' - New York Almanack
James Fenimore Cooper’s visit to Lake George in August, 1824 helped inspire his novel Last of the Mohicans.
www.newyorkalmanack.com
September 11, 2025 at 8:05 PM
James Fenimore Cooper’s visit to Lake George in August, 1824 helped inspire his novel Last of the Mohicans.
Reposted by James Lee
For those unfamiliar the National Digital Newspaper Program funds states to digitize newspapers—which are then collected in the archive Chronicling America—NDNP & ChronAm are related but not the same—the funding program has been shut down—the archive is still online—though I worry for its future
National Digital Newspaper Program | Library of Congress
The National Digital Newspaper Program (NDNP), a partnership between the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Library of Congress (LC), is a long-term effort to provide permanent access...
www.loc.gov
May 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
For those unfamiliar the National Digital Newspaper Program funds states to digitize newspapers—which are then collected in the archive Chronicling America—NDNP & ChronAm are related but not the same—the funding program has been shut down—the archive is still online—though I worry for its future
Congrats to the 6888th Battalion for receiving Congressional Gold Medal. A bit late - but well earned.
www.jamesflee.com/helen-hender...
www.jamesflee.com/helen-hender...
Helen Henderson — James F. Lee
www.jamesflee.com
April 30, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Congrats to the 6888th Battalion for receiving Congressional Gold Medal. A bit late - but well earned.
www.jamesflee.com/helen-hender...
www.jamesflee.com/helen-hender...
It was a classic pitching duel between Boston's Babe Ruth and Washington's Walter Johnson. Larry Gardner's clutch hit in the 13th won it for the Sox.
#RedSox #WashingtonSenators
newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/vermonts-lar...
#RedSox #WashingtonSenators
newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/vermonts-lar...
Vermont's Larry Gardner Wins a Big Game for the Sox - New England Historical Society
It was a game for the ages at Fenway Park--Babe Ruth dueling Walter Johnson for 13 innings, until Larry Gardner ended the game in stunning fashion.
newenglandhistoricalsociety.com
April 22, 2025 at 11:05 PM
It was a classic pitching duel between Boston's Babe Ruth and Washington's Walter Johnson. Larry Gardner's clutch hit in the 13th won it for the Sox.
#RedSox #WashingtonSenators
newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/vermonts-lar...
#RedSox #WashingtonSenators
newenglandhistoricalsociety.com/vermonts-lar...
Reposted by James Lee
#OTD April 22, 1692, a case of mistaken identity in Salem! 30 year old Nehemiah Abbott Jr. of Ipswich is set free by the court - it was not his specter, but someone who looked like him. He is the first and only person freed by the Court of Oyer and Terminer after initial questioning.
April 22, 2025 at 12:43 PM
#OTD April 22, 1692, a case of mistaken identity in Salem! 30 year old Nehemiah Abbott Jr. of Ipswich is set free by the court - it was not his specter, but someone who looked like him. He is the first and only person freed by the Court of Oyer and Terminer after initial questioning.
In April 1830, the country was obsessed with a brutal murder and explosive murder trial in #SalemMass. The presiding judge dropped dead, the prime suspect killed himself, and Daniel Webster himself led the case for the prosecution.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/white-m...
www.jamesflee.com/blog/white-m...
Traveling to History: Twenty Four — James F. Lee
The Innocent, the Damned, and Daniel Webster
www.jamesflee.com
April 17, 2025 at 1:37 AM
In April 1830, the country was obsessed with a brutal murder and explosive murder trial in #SalemMass. The presiding judge dropped dead, the prime suspect killed himself, and Daniel Webster himself led the case for the prosecution.
www.jamesflee.com/blog/white-m...
www.jamesflee.com/blog/white-m...
Does CNN know there were demonstrations today?
April 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Does CNN know there were demonstrations today?
Reposted by James Lee
This but non-ironically.
Such names were the sign of a more intellectually and morally ambitious culture.
Such names were the sign of a more intellectually and morally ambitious culture.
Our country’s problem is we don’t name people Epaphroditus anymore en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epaphro...
Epaphroditus Champion - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
April 5, 2025 at 12:05 PM
This but non-ironically.
Such names were the sign of a more intellectually and morally ambitious culture.
Such names were the sign of a more intellectually and morally ambitious culture.
Happy birthday Thaddeus Stevens, ardent abolitionist, Radical Republican, and champion of the 13th Amendment. #USHistory @fifer1863.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
April 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Happy birthday Thaddeus Stevens, ardent abolitionist, Radical Republican, and champion of the 13th Amendment. #USHistory @fifer1863.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
If you like seeing the bare bones of historic houses, the Lynnhaven House in Virginia Beach is for you. This 1725 4-room house has been stripped to studs and exposed brick during the renovation process.
#VirginiaBeach #HistoricHouses #VirginiaHistory
www.jamesflee.com/blog/lynnhav...
#VirginiaBeach #HistoricHouses #VirginiaHistory
www.jamesflee.com/blog/lynnhav...
Traveling to History: Thirty-One — James F. Lee
TOURING LYNNHAVEN HOUSE An 18th-Century house in Virginia Beach undergoes preservation update
www.jamesflee.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:58 PM
If you like seeing the bare bones of historic houses, the Lynnhaven House in Virginia Beach is for you. This 1725 4-room house has been stripped to studs and exposed brick during the renovation process.
#VirginiaBeach #HistoricHouses #VirginiaHistory
www.jamesflee.com/blog/lynnhav...
#VirginiaBeach #HistoricHouses #VirginiaHistory
www.jamesflee.com/blog/lynnhav...
Nellie Bly was one of the most successful investigative reporters in the 1880s and 1890s, when opportunities for women in the newspaper industry were limited. Her stories were front page in Pulitzer's New York World.
#WomensHistoryMonth @womenshistnet.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
#WomensHistoryMonth @womenshistnet.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
Traveling to History: Five — James F. Lee
Nellie Bly’s New York
www.jamesflee.com
March 31, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Nellie Bly was one of the most successful investigative reporters in the 1880s and 1890s, when opportunities for women in the newspaper industry were limited. Her stories were front page in Pulitzer's New York World.
#WomensHistoryMonth @womenshistnet.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
#WomensHistoryMonth @womenshistnet.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/nellie-...
@elisehooper.bsky.social I am starting Angels of the Pacific tonight.
March 30, 2025 at 2:34 AM
@elisehooper.bsky.social I am starting Angels of the Pacific tonight.
Women's contributions to Fort Monroe in #HamptonVA have been essential since its founding. Don't erase them.
You can read their story here.
#WomensHistoryMonth #USArmy @womenshistnet.bsky.social @amrevmuseum.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/endurin...
You can read their story here.
#WomensHistoryMonth #USArmy @womenshistnet.bsky.social @amrevmuseum.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/endurin...
Traveling to History: Twenty Eight — James F. Lee
Enduring Legacy
www.jamesflee.com
March 27, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Women's contributions to Fort Monroe in #HamptonVA have been essential since its founding. Don't erase them.
You can read their story here.
#WomensHistoryMonth #USArmy @womenshistnet.bsky.social @amrevmuseum.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/endurin...
You can read their story here.
#WomensHistoryMonth #USArmy @womenshistnet.bsky.social @amrevmuseum.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/endurin...
Artist Frank Benson was born on March 24, 1862, in #SalemMass. He mastered many art forms including plein-air impressionism and portraiture. This portrait of his sister was completed in his studio on Chestnut Street in 1885 (photo by Stella van Mever wikiart.org).
@mhs1791.bsky.social
@mhs1791.bsky.social
March 24, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Artist Frank Benson was born on March 24, 1862, in #SalemMass. He mastered many art forms including plein-air impressionism and portraiture. This portrait of his sister was completed in his studio on Chestnut Street in 1885 (photo by Stella van Mever wikiart.org).
@mhs1791.bsky.social
@mhs1791.bsky.social
#OTD 1895. the British Ladies' Football Club played its first match in London. Led by Nettie Honeyball (pictured), the match drew over 10,000 spectators.
#WomensHistoryMonth @womensgamemib.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @womenslibrary.bsky.social @theathleticfc.bsky.social
#WomensHistoryMonth @womensgamemib.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @womenslibrary.bsky.social @theathleticfc.bsky.social
March 23, 2025 at 4:59 PM
#OTD 1895. the British Ladies' Football Club played its first match in London. Led by Nettie Honeyball (pictured), the match drew over 10,000 spectators.
#WomensHistoryMonth @womensgamemib.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @womenslibrary.bsky.social @theathleticfc.bsky.social
#WomensHistoryMonth @womensgamemib.bsky.social @womenshistnet.bsky.social @womenslibrary.bsky.social @theathleticfc.bsky.social
Sometimes an act of compassion can land you in prison. In 1854, Margaret Douglass was jailed for violating Virginia's law against teaching Black people to read.
#WomensHistoryMonth #NorfolkVA @fifer1863.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/jailed-...
#WomensHistoryMonth #NorfolkVA @fifer1863.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/jailed-...
Traveling to History: Twenty Seven — James F. Lee
“Jailed for Teaching Black Children”
www.jamesflee.com
March 22, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Sometimes an act of compassion can land you in prison. In 1854, Margaret Douglass was jailed for violating Virginia's law against teaching Black people to read.
#WomensHistoryMonth #NorfolkVA @fifer1863.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/jailed-...
#WomensHistoryMonth #NorfolkVA @fifer1863.bsky.social @civilwarmemory.bsky.social
www.jamesflee.com/blog/jailed-...
On the Boardwalk at #VirginiaBeach, the Norwegian Lady looks out over the Atlantic. She commemorates an 1891 wreck just offshore. Buried in nearby Norfolk is the real Norwegian Lady drowned in that wreck. You can read their stories here: www.jamesflee.com/blog/virgini...
#WomensHistoryMonth
#WomensHistoryMonth
March 19, 2025 at 8:14 PM
On the Boardwalk at #VirginiaBeach, the Norwegian Lady looks out over the Atlantic. She commemorates an 1891 wreck just offshore. Buried in nearby Norfolk is the real Norwegian Lady drowned in that wreck. You can read their stories here: www.jamesflee.com/blog/virgini...
#WomensHistoryMonth
#WomensHistoryMonth