Finding clues from the past that give us a glimpse into the places and lives of Marylanders who came before us
In 1865, January 1 fell on a Sunday, as it will for us in a few short days. The following day, The Baltimore Sun reported on the holiday, its evolving traditions and the anticipation of a better year than the one that had just passed. The sentiment below seems as relevant today as it was... Continue Reading →
“A little boy in a spirit of repentance sends this letter to The Sun: ‘Dear Santa Claus: I am very sorry that I ever said I did not believe in you. Forgive me this time and I will never say it again. Yours lovingly, G.K.’” Source: Baltimore Sun, December 23, 1893
Maryland children in the early 20th century sent letters containing poignant requests for St. Nick: A Thoughtful Brother Harry Brown Jr. of Annapolis spends most of his 1918 letter listing what his many siblings would like for Christmas (I love their names!): Dear Santa Claus: Will you please bring me an automobile, which I can work... Continue Reading →
Do you remember your little friend Ellen Measell? I hope you do and will you please bring me a new doll, a very large one, with light hair and blue eyes, some books, some games, a pair of kid gloves, a pair of ice skates, a little house for my dolls and a baby brother,... Continue Reading →
On Monday, January 1, 1877, The Baltimore Sun described the one of the last nights of 1876 as a beautiful winter night filled with activity: “Saturday night was glorious for sleighing and coasting. The moon was at meridian and the snow shone like silver, while the air was still and bracing. … On every road leading... Continue Reading →
"Please bring me a small doll baby, a little tin stove, and a whole lot of nice candy. I’ll be an awful good girl, Santa, if you bring me all I want." Letter from Neva Stitely in The News (Frederick), December 6, 1893
It’s fascinating to see how many of the Christmas preparations of more than a century ago still apply today. From busy shopping to hanging the mistletoe, an 1890 Maryland Christmas seems very familiar. Just a few days before Christmas of that year, The Baltimore Sun painted a busy shopping scene: “[M]en, women and children stayed on... Continue Reading →
It’s hard to believe that it is once again time to give thanks for what we have in our lives. Read on to see how Marylanders celebrated Thanksgiving in years past: Printed on Thanksgiving eve 1847 in The Baltimore Sun: “To-morrow is the general Thanksgiving, and as some of the perquisites of the day, a... Continue Reading →
As automobiles became more commonplace, so did opinions on this new method of transportation. See some opinions of the auto shared in Maryland papers in 1914: During parish reports during a statewide meeting of the Protestant Episcopal Church, pastors shared varying viewpoints of the emerging mode of transportation. “The automobile was cited as a reason... Continue Reading →
Early this morning, Maryland and most of the nation turned its clocks back one hour as daylight saving time ended. The act of switching from standard time to daylight saving time was formally introduced in 1918, according to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) website. But some areas in the country — and... Continue Reading →
Bygone Maryland 