Historical Marker Database

This is right up History Geek alley! It's happened to all of us. You're driving down the road and there it is. The Historical Marker. But the whole family's in the car. They'll complain. Or, you're really running late for that appointment. So, you have zip past it and wonder what the heck it said. We all have our radar set for those history beacons (sirens perhaps?, na) but how many do we ever get to read?

Now you can. Check out the Historical Marker Database at http://www.hmdb.org/

There's over 50 categories of markers and state by state listings as well. Countries too. You can add your own marker listings and order free business cards to hand out while you are photographing your favorite marker. These folks have thought of everything! Was this site made for History Geeks or what? And, if you are looking for a new history hobby, why not start collecting Historical Markers?

I'm not saying you should abscond with them and hang them in your living room. You just take some photos, record the location and write an abstract about that particular history happening. Then add it to the site. My home state of New Jersey has a pretty thin listing so I need to get busy!

With the long weekend coming up, History Geeks all over the country will take to the road. If you miss that marker, remember the location and maybe you'll find it on http://www.hmdb.org/, or maybe you'll come home with a little marker collection of your own. Help a brother geek out and post it!

Stay safe out there.

Pete

Welcome to History Geek!

It seems like everyone has a blog these days, so why not me? Welcome! I hope you enjoy these pages.

First, a little bit about what this blog is all about. I'm one of those people who, at the slightest mention of something remotely historical, will wax on about it uncontrollably until someone breaks the spell. For me, that's usually my girlfriend who gives me a sly look that says, "You're doing it again." Oops. I know there's more of you out there. There must be.

I'm mostly knowlegeable about US History but that doesn't mean world history is off the table. We'll cover any subject; military history, political history, sports history, art history, you name it. And, speaking of art history, I'm also a painter and most of my subject matter is history related. So many of my posts will feature one of my original oil paintings or the work of another artist. History isn't just dry facts and dates. It's human drama. It's colorful. I think some visuals should spice things up, don't you?

On to post number one. The painting featured is one I did for a preservation effort (artistpreservationgroup.com) and is a portrait of Silas Coster of the 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. He lies wounded on the field at Gettysburg and will die of that wound 30 days later. Just one of many young men to meet their end that way during that horrific conflict. Silas started his journey in the Netherlands. On his way to America, two of his siblings died and were buried at sea. Then the ship they sailed on got caught in a storm off the Bahamas and nearly sank. Silas' father died there and is buried in Nassau. When the remaining family landed in New Orleans they still had to navigate up the Mississippi to Wisconsin. All so he could sacrifice his young life for his adopted nation.

The story doesn't end there. My painting somehow came to the attention of the decendants of Silas. Recently, I recieved this email:

"Dear Sir:
Can you tell me anything about the oil painting named: Silas Coster?  
Silas Coster was the great uncle of my husband, Roy Silas Coster.
Silas came from Friesland, The Netherlands when he was a young boy. He was 
christened Sake Kooistra. I gave a copy of a tintype to the Visitors Center in
Gettysburg where it was displayed at one time. It no longer is there because 
the pictures have a two year cycle for display.
The hair line is the same as in the tintype. The mouth, the tired eyes.  I see the
wound in his leg. It give me sadness to see him lying there mortally wounded. 
I would feel so honored to know if you did see the picture in Gettysburg  and if  
so, how did it move you to paint this picture.  
I was 91 years in May of this year. I have long been haunted by the tintype. 
Silas was a youth who gave his life for his adopted country.  
I would share my Coster/Kooistra story with you if it would be meaningful to you.
I have a grandson who paint miniature soldiers and he has been to Gettysburg 
twice to attend some group that does the same thing.  I have been to 
Gettysburg only once and at that time my husband and I never knew there was
a grave marker in the Wisconsin section with the "Silas Coster" stamped into the 
surface. 
It was late in the day, 
it was late October 
but I wanted to walk back to our motel.
We passed the  Wisconsin section, 
but I did not want to stop. 
There were no other people in the cemetery.
All of the buses had gone.
'
Thank you
Pearl Coster"

Call me a geek, but I still think history is cool.

Pete