Mossy Feet Books – Author Paul R. Wonning
Books About Indiana History, United States History and Garden Guides
The buildings in the State Historic Site include a log barn that serves as a visitor center, a schoolhouse, the old Territorial Capitol and the Eli Stout Print Shop. The State of Indiana has moved all the buildings here from other locations and all are Indiana State Historic Sites. The tour costs a nominal fee and includes all four buildings. It will take about half an hour and is well worth the investment Continue reading Vincennes State Historic Sites
The Pilgrims arrived in Southampton on the Speedwell from their refuge in Leiden, Holland. In Southampton, they were to rendezvous with the Mayflower and some other settlers. The Pilgrims planned to sail to the New World on the two ships. These two ships departed Southampton, England around August 5. The Speedwell created the first of what were many problems by springing a leak. The ships put in at Dartmouth to repair the ship. Continue reading The Pilgrims – Part 2
The Old Cathedral near the Wabash River in Vincennes, Indiana is an inspiring place to visit. The church is open to visitors during the daylight hours. Take care not to visit the church during Mass, as it is an active Catholic Church. The staff does offer guided tours, however, visitors may elect to tour on their own and that is what we did. Continue reading Vincennes Old Cathedral
The first charter granted to the Pilgrims was the First Pierce Patent on February 02, 1620. This patent granted by the Virginia Company of London to John Pierce never took effect. The Pilgrims sailed in September 1620 and reached the New World by early November. However bad weather and bad luck forced them to land in an area outside the land granted to them by the charter. Continue reading Podcast – The Pilgrims – Part 1
The Nature Trail Head
The Violet and Louis Calli Nature Preserve consists of 180 acres. The trailhead for the self-guiding trail is adjacent to the parking lot on the same side of the road. The trail is just a bit over two miles long. There is a brochure available in a box at the trailhead that describes 18 stations along the course of the trail. There is also a notepad for you to register, just for fun. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Fun Indiana Road Trips
Vincennes was the site of five forts during the colonial, revolutionary and post revolutionary periods of United States history. The French built a fort, Fort Vincennes, in 1731-1732. The French held Vincennes until the end of the French and Indian War. The French surrendered the fort and most of their North American possession at the conclusion of the war, in 1764. Continue reading Fort Knox II
Today the author talks about the severe labor shortage in the Virginia colony and the colonial leaders desperate attempt to … Continue reading Podcast/Video – Virginia Colony Leaders Request More Orphans for Workers
What could be more fun than a cross country road trip across Indiana? Discover Indiana’s covered bridges, wineries, caves and much more by taking one of the auto tours listed in this travel guide book. The book lists dozens of Indiana road trips for Hoosiers to take while they learn the history, culture, arts and natural wonders of the Hoosier State. Fun Indiana Road Trips includes a description of the Auto Trail, contact information, Indiana county tourism sites and a guide to navigating Indiana’s system of back roads. Continue reading Fun Indiana Road Trips
First Blacks Land at Jamestown Virginia
Sometime in late August, 1619 a ship docked at Jamestown bearing a cargo of blacks. The probable origin of these people was Angola, Africa. Thus, the first blacks had arrived in the New World. The status of these people is unknown. The institution of slavery did not exist yet. Many historians feel that these blacks served as indentured servants for a period. There are records that blacks received awards of land in later years, lending credence to that theory. Continue reading Podcast – First Blacks Land at Jamestown Virginia
Tecumseh rose to become a great Shawnee chief and leader of Tecumseh’s Confederacy. His birth probably took place near Old Chillicothe, in present day Ohio. His father, Puckshinwa, probably was a Creek. His mother, Methotaske, was a Shawnee. Colonials killed his father at the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant. Continue reading Podcast – Tecumseh and Harrison
The French brought slavery with them when they settled the area that is now Indiana in the early 1700’s. When the British took control after the French and Indian War, the practice continued. At the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, there were slaveholders in the area. Continue reading Podcast – The Mary Clark Decision Ended Slavery in Indiana
I will start at the county seat, Versailles. Platted in 1819 by Mr. John Ritchie. It was not the first county seat, that honor is reserved for New Marion, which had the first court session in 1818. The court moved to Versailles shortly after and has remained there ever since. Continue reading Happy Birthday, Ripley County
Henry Hudson, on his fourth and final voyage, sailed his ship Discovery through the turbulent waters of the Labrador Sea and Davis Strait. On August 2, 1610, Hudson’s ship entered the bay that would bear his name, Hudson’s Bay. After three month’s at sea, Hudson was confident he had found the elusive Northwest Passage. Hudson and his crew would spend the next two months sailing around the Bay, looking for a route through, until ice closed in on the ship in late October. Continue reading The Explorations of Henry Hudson – Part 2
Military buffs visiting Vincennes will want to visit the Indiana Military Museum. At the entrance of this impressive museum the visitor passes by a military guard shack watched over by a uniformed mannequin in full uniform. Continue reading Video – Indiana Military Museum
Commissioned to find a northern route to Asia by the Dutch East India Company, Henry Hudson explored New England coast. He sailed into Hudson Bay on September 3, 1609. Continue reading Podcast – The Explorations of Henry Hudson Part 1 – First Voyage for the Dutch
Thomas West, Baron De La Warr, and Anne Knollys West, birthed their son, Thomas West, on July 9, 1576 in Wherwell, Hampshire, England. He attended Queen’s College, Oxford, where he received a degree. After graduation, he entered the army and served under Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex. The Queen accused him of participating in Devereax’s insurrection against her, however, the court acquitted him. Continue reading Podcast – Jamestown Colony Abandoned
The Daughters of the American Revolution, Francis Vigo Chapter, own Grouseland.
When you visit Grouseland a volunteer from the group will conduct a guided tour of the mansion. Continue reading Grouseland, President William Henry Harrison Mansion
Lesko Park occupies a grassy, landscaped strip along the Ohio River waterfront. There are three parking areas strung along Indiana State Road 56 just west of downtown Aurora. River access for boats is nearby using the Aurora Landing just off Judiciary Street. The park derives its name from Aurora Clerk-Treasurer Tony Lesko.
Lesko Ohio River Park features a wide, asphalt walkway which is about a mile long. The walkway provides a great way to get a bit of exercise after a picnic lunch. It is an easy hike along the river. Continue reading Podcast – Lesko Park and Dearborn Trail – Dearborn County, Indiana
The Sea Venture was the first ship designed as an emigrant ship and included several new interior design features. The hold was designed to accommodate passengers. Previous vessels had their defensive guns placed below decks. This placement called for a double-planked hull so it could withstand the concussion of the cannon. The Sea Venture’s guns were on the main deck, eliminating this need. The Sea Venture had a displacement of 300 tons. Many sea historians think she was the first single timbered ship built for immigration. Continue reading Podcast – The Disastrous Jamestown Third Supply Mission
Each year in March the event known as Hoosier Hysteria begins and several hundred Indiana high school basketball teams begin their quest to become the best basketball team the state has to offer. This is a short history of this beloved Indiana institution. Continue reading Podcast – The Story of the Indiana State Basketball Championship
Mossy Feet Books - Author Paul R. Wonning 