I am home again but I still feel the momentum from Chicago. What a priviledge to have experienced Philadelphia and now Chicago. The Philly trip was a great foundation for Chicago. I rated the Philly trip a 10 and Chicago also rates a 10. I can only imagine the blowout awaiting in New York.
After Chicago I realize, not for the first time, how important teachers really are! I think about how uninformed the general public is about the history of our great country. We all need to know what the United States is built on. If the next generation does not learn history at home or in school, when will they learn. Not everyone is going to be a history major or buff. Teachers carry a tremendous responsibility to instill the love of investigation, questioning, learning. Visiting the Pullman Town was an eyeopener. Mr. Pullman organized his town with his citizens just one-half step away from slavery. Freedom means in all areas freedom. Freedom does not mean freedom to have a green lawn but freedom to decide if I even want a lawn, green or otherwise. One element of this trip that is impressive is not the caliber of the presenters but the passion, compassion, and love each one has for this discipline history. I was touched by Mr. Adelman’s sharing red roses with the Haymarket victims. I know much more now than I did before the trip. I understand much more. Speaking simply, I am a better individual because of my experiences on the Chicago history trip. I thank very single individual who was part of our history community. Thank you very much. Merci, danke, arigato, gracias, prego.
-
-
Place setting on Pullman Palace Car
-
-
Stairs in the courthouse building – Haymarket trial
-
-
-
Mural depicting the Haymarket fiasco
-
-
-
Memorial to Haymarket martyrs
-
-
-
A live rose for Lucy, wife of Haymarket martyr, graciously provided by Mr. Edleman
-
-
-
-
Big blue bus used in the recent Barack Obama campaign
-
-
Stockyard Gate, sole survivor of an era
-
-
One half steer head with open gate to old stockyard
-
-
-
Juneteenth Celebration at Pullman House to commemorate the end of slavery
-
-
Black at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair
-
-
Death of the Pullman Factory
-
-
-
Dinner in Chicago’s China Town
[gallery] Saturday, the last day in Chicago, we saved the best for last. I cannot praise Mr. William Edleman enough for all his effort and vast, vast knowledge. Reading Death in the Haymarket made a lasting impact on me, so I wanted to see the location and the monuments. And we did. Mr. Edleman obviously is a sincere dedicated person who is committed to the cause of labor. I was touched that he carried fresh roses to honor the unjustly sacrificed Haymarket seven. I was moved by the mural, the monuments, and yes, even the gate to the stockyards. How can people close their eyes and pretend evil corruption is not happening all around. I honor those who have the courage to take a stand, speak out, and support the human case. Especially teachers should be actively involved in their local professional organization. On this trip alone I have heard horrible stories of administrators threatening, intimidating, and mistreating teachers. Some things have not changed since the events of the Haymarket incident.
The stairs with the circle motif is similar to the window decoration at the Hull House. I find this interesting. Our guide did not know why that design was chosen; perhaps it was just popular during that time period.
I was happy to see another Black represented at the White City World’s Fair, albeit in a negative sense, was Aunt Jemima. Although the symbol of Aunt Jemima was to denigrate Black women, I am glad she did reap some monetary benefits. Jemima, one of Job’s daughters, in the Old Testament is described as one of the most beautiful women in the world. That is a nice piece of irony.
Some of Mr. Pullman’s ideas were good, some too idealistic but the philosophy that people surrounded by beauty will behave better and be more appreciative is accurate for some folks. The place setting in the Palace Car is an example of creating an ambiance of beauty and peace. Utopia, of course, does not exist, but wouldn’t it be wonderful for all mankind to experience beauty and peace.
I did not get the title of the painting depicting a stereotypical Black church experience but it is a good representation of Junteenth. I have never attended a Junteenth and today we missed it by minutes. I enjoyed seeing Black women with head wraps leaving and smiling. Behold! A young man left carrying a watermelon. I don’t need a Junteenth to celebrate the end of slavery. Mr. Pullman’s town is being put to very good use.
Pipe of the Wisconsin Nation
Eureka! I finally know what I want to do now. I am going to do a lesson on Native American Literature using Native American writings from the Native Nations in the area of Illinois and Wisconsin. One of the standards for reading is recognizing that literature is a record of the human experience.
-
-
Dr. Rees does not require an image so I will just write for now because I have been up for seventeen hours and am a bit bus weary. My inspiration continues from yesterday at Hull House. The absolute thrill of reading Ms. Addams letters, articles about her, notes in her own hand writing made an impact I will not forget. In one letter she spoke of “the odious task of raising money” and I would never have realized that she felt that way had I not had the priviledge of reading her primary documents. In her envelope I read many programs where Ms. Addams was the speaker. She was big news apparently. I saw a few news clippings covering when she went east to have surgery. In spite of being sick, she continued to work diligently for what she was committed to, Hull House. Ms. Addams, again I salute you, but this time I am standing up. How will I use this with my students? I often speak about how one person can make a difference. Ms. Addams is a case in point. Motivation, inspiration–don’t leave home without it.
I enjoyed the activity with Dr. Jonathan of Wisconsin. Actually reviewing the primary documents was more fun than just listening to a lecture about immigration petitions. It was interesting to see how nationality was used in place of race when completing the petition forms. At that time the government had not set down any specific terms to be used for race. Now the government has so many categories for race it becomes silly so people end of marking “other.” I see, futuristicly, when a blank for race or ethnicity will no longer be necessary. Eventually we will get to the point when all realize we are just human beings after all. That will be the same time when Dr. King’s dream will be evident–people will be judged by the content of their character.
-
-
original chandalier in Hull House
-
-
decorative window in original Hull House
-
-
-
described as first painting by a woman
-
-
birth of sociology and the study of poverty
-
-
erroneous description of Jane Addams by FBI
-
-
Chicago and Illinois progressive in voting for women
-
-
Hull House farm, victory garden, inner city garden
The world needs more Jane Addams. Ms. Addams made enough contributions for 20, 30, or 40 people. I have the picture of the light fixture because she shed light on the very being of people. She changed lives from the inside out. The windows are beautiful and serviceable, as was the work of Jane Addams. She provided for the physical, emotional, and social needs of adults and children. Ms. Addams gave light to the soul; she gave people hope and showed them the way. I know in the present day some people do not want to hear the word “hope”, but it is definitely applicable when speaking of Ms. Addams. She treated the whole person.
The painting was described as the first painting by a woman. I would like to have more details as to why and how it came to Hull House. I like the subject of the painting. It somewhat summarizes what Hull House accomplished. The mother is nurturing, caring, and providing all the needs of her infant. She is doing this willingly and enjoying it. I like to think of Ms. Addams as the mother. She is the mother of many movements and all of them are humanitarian.
The poster accusing Ms. Addams as the most dangerous woman is absolutely accurate, if being dangerous means providing education, food, and support. Of course if J. Edgar Hoover is making the accusation then one can be sure she is innocent. How can people be so afraid of someone who is doing only good for individuals and society. Kudos to Chicago and the state of Illinois for their progressive action in allowing women to vote before other states in America.
Now we come to the garden or farm. Not only was Hull House feeding people but feeding them organically. Part of Ms. Addams greatness is how thorough she was and the caliber of her support. She did not make excuses but when she saw a need she sought and created a solution. Ms. Addams had a philosophy that the world could benefit from such as bio diversity contributing to cultural diversity to make the world healthy physically and mentally. What better motto than strive for the solidarity of all people. People with problems are the people with the solutions. Her desire was a peaceful and more balanced society.
I salute you and your efforts, Jane Addams.
-
-
-
Frank Lloyd House with signature ribbon windows, nature, trail of discovery
-
-
-
1893 Columbian Exposition – Museum of Science and Industry – White City
-
-
The Zephyr – Museum of Science and Industry
-
-
DuSable Museum of African American History
-
-
-
Oriental Institute-bull from Iran
[gallery orderby="title"]
This was a fun, run day. First we did the Frank Lloyd Wright House and walking tour, next the Museum of Science and Industry, then the African American Museum, followed finally with the Oriental Institute. Oops, I almost forgot. We stopped at the Seminary Co-op Store. I got just the book I needed. Interesting spot. What an exciting day!
At the Chicago History Museum we saw Ida B. Wells passing out pamphlets at the L station because Blacks had been overlooked at the 1893 World’s Fair. She passed out information about the accomplishments of Blacks. Today, at the DuSable Museum, I learned that only one African American was officially represented at the fair and that was Frederick Douglass. Mr. Douglass was the diplomat to Haiti (1891-1893) and was the overseer of the Haitian Pavillion. He was will informed concerning Haitian culture and history. He opened the pavillion with a powerful speech of how the slave colony in Haiti had turned the tables and produced an independent republic.
The section of the museum, Africa Speaks, showed a video narrated by Nelson Mandela of ceremony of circumcision. I witnessed the circumcision of Mr. Mandela’s grandson. The ritual is performed for sixteen year old males. Mr. Mandela also explain how he felt and reacted the day of his ritual circumcision.
In the Frank Lloyd Wright houses, I especially liked he windows. Glass windows played a big part in Mr. Wright’s style of organic architecture. He produced balance by using the lightness of glass with the heaviness of brick and stone. Mr. Wright was not the first architects to use glass but he used it extensively in very nontraditional ways. He used glass to make space appear larger than it really was, manipulated glass to bring nature inside, and created art forms in his use of glass. He must have enjoyed his work, or creations tremendously.
For my students, I am filling my bag with new stories.
/>
CHICAGO HISTORY MUSEUM DAY 1
Dr. Sarah Marcus gave us a whirlwind Chicago lesson with a fervor that reminded me of Carol Berkin. She gave an indepth description of how the Chicago infrastructure came about. We went from the slow moving Chicago River to the rough waters of Lake Michigan and how it was all connected to the Mississippi River. She discussed all the various industries that caused people and businesses to invest in Chicago. And Chicago had it all, from lumber, meat, steel, railroads, and factories. I like using the familiar with the unfamiliar. We live in a rural area. A good lesson would be to figure out how our area could be developed to become prosperous and attract businesses and population. Maybe we can learn something from the formula Chicago used. It was a dream story until drought and fire took their toll.
The discussion of how the conservation movement and urban planners believed they could fix all the problems of the city if they just got the correct plans was interesting. It is not as easy as a well planned city producing a well planned society.
Female Civil War Soldier--Springfield Re-enactment Camp
I thought about doing a lesson on the Native Americans in the Illinois area. Next, I wanted to learn more about the women’s pavillion during the World’s Fair. Truly, I wanted to do female soldiers in the Civil War (sounds exciting, right). Ultimately I settled on the Chicago Riots. Thank you, Mr. Rees
Grant Wood, artist
At first glance one might think this is a man and wife depicting the salt of the earth, willing to work hard, stern and faithful. Grant Wood was trying to blend Europe and America and created American Gothic. The window in the center of the very American house is cut off here but it represents the Gothic of Europe transplanted to America. Wood is expressing the character and value system of puritanical citizens of Iowa.
