The Two Nerdy History Girls & the World of 1776—Now On YouTube

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Clockwise from upper left: Loretta Chase, Meena Jain, Susan Holloway Scott

As always, Susan Holloway Scott and I had a wonderful time with Ashland (MA) Public Library Director Meena Jain. This time, the Two Nerdy History Girls did something a little bit different: We focused on Revolutionary War era America—and along the way, did some compare & contrast work with several topics. As you probably are well aware, everyday life in America, before as well as after the revolution, was different from life in England in many ways.

Susan has written several works of historical fiction focusing directly on Americans during the Revolutionary War era, whereas my focus has been early nineteenth-century England. Still, I’ve learned some things from my visits to Colonial Williamsburg, and this, I hope, helped me keep up with the questions.

For those who missed the conversation, or who’d like a rerun, here’s the YouTube link.

The hour went by quickly. Since some of the information might have slipped by the audience, and since I have (of course) more historical nerdy-ness to offer, below are some of the books mentioned as well as links to additional information.

Here are some of the 2NHG posts on pins:

Pins & Pinning

As Used by Jane Austen: Pins, the Regency Post-It

A Young Woman Dresses for Day, c. 1775

Colonial Williamsburg offers many videos about life in 1700s America.

If you want to learn more about Colonial fashion, a number of videos show how clothing was made and how people dressed.

Coach at Colonial Williamsburg

When we discussed transportation, I referred to an early 19th century book, The Traveller’s Oracle (2 volumes), which covers, apparently, every detail of traveling in England in the 1820s. By this time, England had vastly improved its roads, with a corresponding increase in inns, but the basic principles would apply to most people traveling via horse or carriage.

Celebrating the Rocket Man, Robert Hutchings Goddard

Miniature Robert Goddard biography that went to the moon with Buzz Aldrin

On 16 March 1926, Dr. Robert Hutchings Goddard launched a rocket from his aunt’s farm (now a golf course) in a town a few miles from where I live.

The rocket did not go far in terms of physical distance. It shot up forty-one feet into the air and landed one hundred eighty-four feet away, having traveled for two and a half seconds.

That short flight changed everything.

In July 1969, the little book pictured above, a biography of Goddard, was the first book to travel to the moon. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin took it there.*

Artemis II, the first crewed flyby mission to the Moon in more than 50 years, is expected to launch in a few weeks, if all goes well.

In short, that brief flight started us on the path to the moon and beyond. It showed what was possible and led to more than space travel. But I’m not going to tell a story that others have covered. You’ll find abundant links, with wonderful images, online, that are part of the Goddard Centennial celebration. The images exist thanks to Goddard’s wife, Esther. She documented all he did and kept his memory alive. During Women’s History Month, of course it makes sense to recognize Esther Goddard. You can see many of Esther’s images online.

The Goddard Library is offering several exhibitions and two lectures. The latter will be available to view online, as well. On 17 March at 7PM, John Emond, former NASA program manager offers, “Robert Goddard: A Vision. A Reality. A Hope.” On 19 March at 4PM, Kevin Schindler, co-author of Robert Goddard's Massachusetts, offers “The Dreamer Who Launched the Space Age.”

You can learn more about Clark University’s Goddard Centennial events here.

Dr. Robert H. Goddard and a liquid oxygen-gasoline rocket at Auburn, Massachusetts.

If you’re in the Central Massachusetts area between now and 1 August, you can also visit the Museum of Worcester’s Goddard exhibition, “Worcester to the Stars: The Goddard Rocket Centennial.” If you’re around between now and early April, you might want to catch “The Rocket Man: The Robert Goddard Musical.”

More about Goddard celebrations here.

I’ll finish by pointing out that this celebration, which has gone nationwide, very likely would not have happened if not for my indefatigable friend, fellow alum, and former colleague at Clark, Charles Slatkin.

*A couple of years ago, I saw the little book up close and personal at the Robert Hutchings Goddard Library. This is a building with which I’m familiar, having studied there as an undergraduate and post-graduate student as well as having done research some years later for my historical romances.

Photo credit for miniature Goddard bio, Walter M. Henritze; Goddard and rocket image courtesy NASA via Wikipedia.

Two Nerdy History Girls Minus One

Unexpected events have obliged historical fiction author Susan Holloway Scott to be absent from the forthcoming Two Nerdy History Girls session. That leaves me. While I cannot be the Two Nerdy History Girls (Susan & I have different strengths and areas of focus), I plan to do what I can, with the help of my host, Ashland Library Director Meena Jain. We’ll chat about my books, the research that goes into them, and the thrills and chills of exploring history. (Well, historical research is thrilling and chilling to me.)

Please go ahead and bring questions. I’ll answer to the best of my ability as a solo act. And we'll all look forward to having Susan back at a future session.

Details, details: Monday 5 January 7:00—8:00 PM Online - Zoom

More info here.
To register: https://tinyurl.com/apl-loretta-chase

Program sponsored by the Friends of the Ashland Public Library, collaborating with a multitude of Massachusetts Libraries to bring this program to their communities.