Posts

Extra! Extra! Extra! The history of the Hartford Courant

Image
Extra! Extra! Extra!  The History of the Hartford Courant     Have you ever wondered what the oldest newspaper in America was while reading the paper at breakfast? Some might think of the New York Post or the Newtown Bee. However, there are better answers than this. In fact, the oldest continuously circulated newspaper in the United States of America is the Hartford Courant.   The Courant was established in October of 1764 under "Connecticut Courant." Initially, it was a weekly newspaper. Later, in 1837, it transitioned to daily circulation, a format it still follows today. This transition marked a significant shift in the publication's distribution and greatly expanded its reach and impact.     In recent years, the Courant has grown to be one of the most prominent newspapers in the state, as well as in the country. Works Cited "Hartford Courant." Wikipedia , Wikimedia Foundation, 14 Jul. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_Courant. Accessed 24 Jul. 2024. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The History of Horseshoes

Image
     THE HISTORY OF HORSESHOES                It's 1847 and you have to make a trip to the farrier (horseshoe maker), because your horse is in need of new horseshoes. On the way there, as you walk on the dusty dirt road, you start thinking about where these horseshoes came from, and how the farrier makes them.      Horseshoes first popped up around 400 BC, and were made of a variety of materials, such as rawhide, or plants. The invention of horseshoes is often credited to the Romans, who called them 'Hipposandals.' Horsemen in Asia would equip their equestrian companions with shoes made of plant materials or hide. These horseshoes were not just used to protect the horses but were also used to soothe and help the horses heal their injuries.     In Northern Europe, where the climate was wet and cold, and it was hard for horses to get a grip on the terrain, horsemen started to nail metal horseshoes made o...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ceramic, Carriages and Cold Feet

Image
     I magine it is 1894. You have been riding a train for 2 hours to visit your family. It's mid-winter, and a frigid wind is dancing through the air. You shiver from the cold and look down at your shoes. They aren't doing much good to keep your feet warm. So, what would you use to keep those feet from freezing solid? That is where the ceramic foot warmer comes into play.                                                                Image credit: HomeThingsPast       I n the 18th century, foot warmers came as a metal box filled with coals or hot bricks. People would carry these with them while traveling in carriages, trains, or even sleighs. Most of these were made of tin on a wooden frame, but wealthier people would have these 'foot stoves' (Yes, they were called foot stoves) made of brass or...
Post a Comment
Location: Newtown, CT, USA
Read more

The Beginning!

Welcome!                 "   History will be kind to me for I intend to write it. " -Winston Churchill      This blog is going to bring you small-town history and show you the history behind everyday objects. We will take seemingly ordinary artifacts and tell you the story behind them. This will come in the form of articles, interviews, pictures, videos and so much more. 
Post a Comment
Location: New England, USA
Read more