The Rise and Fall of “Young Napoleon”

On Wednesday evening, November 13, 1861, President Abraham Lincoln paid a visit to the residence of George Brinton McClellan (1826–1885), who he had recently appointed general in chief of the Union Army. Located on Lafayette Square, near the White House, McClellan’s luxurious dwelling also served as his Washington, D.C., headquarters. Accompanied by Secretary of State William H. Seward...
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Executive Director’s Letter

This year’s annual theme adopted by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC), “William Penn’s Legacy: Religious and Spiritual Diversity,” once again provides a focus to examine the Commonwealth’s rich history and its influence on the many traditions and values that have shaped the American experience. Historic sites such as Ephrata Cloister and Old Economy Village illustrate the...
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Pennsylvania’s First State Geologist: Henry Darwin Rogers

Geology made Pennsylvania what it is today. The mining of anthracite and bituminous coal, the drilling for petroleum, and the production of iron and steel in the Commonwealth long drove the economy of the United States. Elucidating the history of the geological study of Pennsylvania is an integral part of comprehending its history. Henry Darwin Rogers (1808–1866), the first State Geologist of...
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