On our way to Delaware we decided to take a little detour! And let's be honest here, after you've been in the car so long another hour is nothing. So we went to Philadelphia, we just couldn't resist going to see a symbol of our nation's liberty, the Liberty Bell.
Instead of waiting in line for entry to see the Liberty Bell, we cleverly took the "Special VIP" viewing (A.K.A. through the looking glass on the side of the building).
Funny enough, no sooner had we gotten pictures and started to leave, than a whole muddle of people saw what we had done and followed in our footsteps!
"To go to work and have fun on weekends."
"For school/work."
On our way back to our car, we stopped by the statue of The Signer, a memorial to the courage that it took and the victory that was gained for America through the signing of the Declaration.
Our first official stop in Delaware was at the Patty Cannon House Marker.
During the 9th Century, Martha "Patty" Cannon and her gang kidnapped, coerced, and murdered both slaves and free blacks, transporting them over to the southern side.
Ms. Cannon was notorious as the cruelest and "most wicked woman in America," oh dear!
After driving around the back roads between Maryland and Delaware we finally located the Mason-Dixon marker on their borders!
And here is the beautiful stone carving called the Crowne Point Mason-Dixon marker.
Our Delaware Hometown was Seaford and probably one of the most important places we visited was the Seaford Museum.
"I really don't want to get up. I push myself."
"To start another day with my husband, daughters, and grand daughters. A wonderful life!"
"To enjoy the beautiful sun rises and having the opportunity to thank God for the new day to enjoy."
It was a very well done museum filled with historical significance, interesting exhibits, and fun facts about the town!
A recent addition was the railroad exhibit. It was complete with flashing lights and a mobile miniature train.
Campaign buttons from famous politicians covered this exhibits walls.
While you're at the museum, don't forget to look for the hidden 'mice' among the exhibits. This one was our favorite, enjoying a day out on the river, beside the mock bridge inside of the museum.
With it's beautiful Italian architecture, Governor Ross's mansion is a spectacular place for pictures and a tour!
When visitors came to call, the ladies of the house would usually have an autograph book to collect the signatures of any travelers or businessmen who came by.
We have come quite a ways in technology since this old timey biscuit maker! Can you imagine spending hours using this "machine" to make some biscuits? And that's if you were lucky enough to have such technology. Oh, the things we do for some good biscuits and gravy! :)
Often hair collected from brushes was used to weave into jewelry or to make hair wreaths to frame and hang on walls. The wreath would usually reside with the oldest member of the family.
When one of Governor Ross's daughters became engaged, she decided to test the authenticity of her ring on her window pane. She wanted to make sure that pretty diamond on her finger was real, who could blame her? She would scratch her name in the glass, and if it left a mark, the diamond was real. If it didn't leave a mark then, like the authenticity of her ring, she would know the authenticity of their engagement as well.
This window above the doorway of one of the children's rooms was used during the summertime to keep the flow of the heat moving and help to ventilate the home.
"To keep on living - Things to do."
The slaves quarters beside this home were well equipped with a fireplace, butter churner, and 'fancy' washing machine (a tub with ridges and a handle to spin the clothing inside).
Oh, it's the little things in life.. things we far too often take for granted in this technological day and age... things like toothbrushes!
These toothbrushes were only for the rich and famous per say. Normal, everyday people who didn't have access to this luxurious commodity would use the end of a twig that they'd cut off and fray to use the fibers to brush their teeth.
Today we're going to take time to be thankful for our everyday little blessings, like toothbrushes!
Let freedom ring,
Love,
The Crew
