My Vacation

no husband....no kids....no dog.....late nights.....early mornings....no cooking.....no cleaning.....no laundry....books to read.....new friends.....Revolutionary War experts.....battlefield hikes.....getting paid(!!!!)

I spent last week in Spartanburg at Converse College studying the Revolutionary War in the Backcountry as part of NEH (National Endowment for the Humanities) Landmark grant with 46 other teachers. It was such an awesome week, my idea of a vacation!!!

We arrived and checked into our rooms on Sunday, had dinner and a reception, met each other and two local authors who signed books. (I bought Courageous Kate --- a true account of Kate Moore Barry --- a heroine from Spartanburg). On Monday we spent the day in the classroom learning from SC historian extraordinaire, Walter Edgar (if you are a USC grad, I'm sure that name means something to you), a professor from Wake Forest who spoke about women's roles and another professor from Carolina who spoke on African-Americans.

Tuesday morning we headed to Brattonsville, SC to tour. This was phenomonal! We learned about colonial housewife roles (helped make a bread pudding, learned how to dye material and make clothes), herbal medicines (too cool! Did you know rosemary is supposeed to stimulate memory??? I need a whole lot of it!), the role of African-Americans on the farm and heard the story of Watt, a truly heroic slave of the Brattons. And, Miss Kitty took us inside one of the original slave quarters on the property....it was very humbling. We toured the houses and grounds. And two re-enactors taught us about weapons, Militia clothing and the battle, Huck's Defeat, that took place there. We hiked through the woods to the newly discovered battlefield. I learned SO much.

this is an original hinge on the door of the slave house

Our Wednesday morning we prepared to head to Kings Mountain Park. We hiked the battle trail with Rudy Manke, SC Naturalist expert and USC professor. He was funny and so knowledgable. I did not realize the connection between science and social studies until this disucssion. We learned all about the trees, plants, insects and animals of the area, while also walking in the steps of those fighting for American freedom over 200 years ago! After we arrived back on campus we participated in a session with the curator from the Greenville Museum of Art on using art in the classroom to teach history. Great learning!

this marks where Ferguson fell at King's Mtn.

it is believe that this is where he is buried...with one of his Virginia's

For our Thursday field experience we travelled right down the road from the school to hike around Cowpens Battlefield with East Carolina University professor and author of A Devil of a Whipping Lawrence Babbitt. I have been to Cowpens several times, but this was the first time that I really understood the battle and its significance. it was truly an experience that was worth the hike in the heat. On Thursday night we joined Dr. Babbitt again to watch The Patriot and then he led a discussion on the benefits of the movie and the inaccuracies that Mel Gibson took in filming --- uniforms, battle events, etc. Entertaingly it is a great movie and I learned that it is most valuable in showing linear battle.

The view Daniel Morgan's army would have seen on the morning of the battle

Our final day took us to Ninety-Six, SC where Star Fort is located. We were given an in-depth tour by Dr. Cann from Lander University and then given a lecture on the archeological excavation of the site by Dr. South from USC. We were exahausted by this point, but still managed to take in even more valuable information in this hike.

inside the stockade

from inside the Star Fort

• Did I learn a lot? That would be an understatement.


• Can I use this in my classroom? Oh YES! I really think this will change how I teach the Revolutionary War completely.


• Will I apply for an NEH next year? Most definitely! I've already got a couple of ones that I am interested in...but we'll see when next year's info comes out.


• Am I glad I attended? Absolutely!

Before we left....me and my roomate for the week, Emily (from Concord, NC)

and my new friend, Kathy (from Texas)

I missed Ron and the boys, but this was one of the best educational experiences that I have had in my career. I learned a lot, made some new friends, grew as a teacher, and as a person. I had a great vacation!!!!

(I do have some other pictures on my 365 blog and at some point I will put together a slide show and post it of all these pictures)