Historically Thinking

On Christmas Eve, 1911, John Wanamaker stood in the middle of his elaborately decorated department store building in Philadelphia as shoppers milled around him picking up last minute Christmas presents. On that night, as for years to come, the store was filled with the sound of Christmas carols sung by thousands of shoppers, accompanied by the store’s Great Organ. Wanamaker recalled that moment in his diary, “I said to myself that I was in a temple,” a sentiment quite possibly shared by the thousands who thronged the store that night.

This is a conversation about a Philadelphian and his store, told by guest Nicole C. Kirk in Wanamaker's Temple: The Business of Religion in an Iconic Department Store. Which might sound rather boring. But it's really a conversation about nineteenth century stores, shopping, consumerism, Christianity, the social gospel, the prosperity gospel, social responsibility, art, beauty, Temple University, Dwight Moody, John Ruskin, Horace Bushnell, Christmas decorations, organs, eagles, World's Fairs, and the curiously innovative mind of Philadelphia's John Wanamaker.

Meet you at the eagle.

For Further Investigation

Friends of the Wanamaker Organ

Review of Wanamaker's Temple in the Wall Street Journal 

Photos from the Wanamaker Collection at the Historical Society of Pennsylvania–the rooftop gymnasium, and outdoor track; the piano showroom; and photos of "Camp Wanamaker"

* The Divine Comedy, Canto 3

* A theory as to why Christmas falls on December 25th

* A History of the Transistor

* Washington's First Farewell Address–handwritten text and transcription, side by side, from the Library of Congress

The Divine Comedy, Canto 3 A theory as to why Christmas falls on December 25th A History of the Transistor Washington’s First Farewell Address–handwritten text and transcription, side by side, from the Library of Congress

Bourbon whisky has been around since nearly the beginning of the United States. Given that longevity, it has been part of the corporate law of the United States since the beginning of the corporate law of the United States. My guest today Brian Haara traces that interconnection in his new book Bourbon Justice. “Bourbon,” […]

Bourbon whisky has been around since nearly the beginning of the United States. Given that longevity, it has been part of the corporate law of the United States since the beginning of the corporate law of the United States.

My guest today Brian Haara traces that interconnection in his new book Bourbon Justice. "Bourbon," Haara writes, "is responsible for the growth and maturation of many substantive areas of the law, such as trademark, breach of contract, fraud, governmental regulation and taxation, and consumer protection." As Brian traces the influence of bourbon on American legal history, and of litigation on the history of American bourbon, he also provides tasting notes for bourbons with connection to the cases he's discussing. It's an especially nice touch in a very nice book. Cheers!

Geoffrey Rowell, "Dickens and the Construction of Christmas"

John Sutherland, "The Origins of the Christmas Carol"

Jon Michael Varese, "Why A Christmas Carol was a flop for Dickens"

A brief intro to Leopold von Ranke

Geoffrey Rowell, “Dickens and the Construction of Christmas” John Sutherland, “The Origins of the Christmas Carol” Jon Michael Varese, “Why A Christmas Carol was a flop for Dickens” A brief intro to Leopold von Ranke

“Fashion is universal,” writes my guest Kimberly Alexander in her book Treasures Afoot, “enabling historians across time, place, and culture to form an understanding of the people who made clothes and who wore them. But shoes are different. As shoe scholar June Swann opines, ‘No other garment or accessory maintains the imprint of its wearer–even […]

"Fashion is universal," writes my guest Kimberly Alexander in her book Treasures Afoot, "enabling historians across time, place, and culture to form an understanding of the people who made clothes and who wore them. But shoes are different. As shoe scholar June Swann opines, 'No other garment or accessory maintains the imprint of its wearer–even over long spans of time.' A shoe molds to the foot and captures a facet of the physical characteristics of its wearer, as well as, by extension, an element of his or her personal history. We can study how much wear occurred and on what part of the shoe, how a shoe was altered or repaired, why a shoe or a pair of shoes were saved and handed down–and, from this, form a idea of the ordinary lives of the people who wore them."

Together Kimberly and I discuss shoes of the eighteenth century; why shoes are important; why fashion is important; and even how to talk about material culture in class.

For Further Investigation 

* Kimberly Alexander, Treasures Afoot

* Kimberly Alexander's blog–SilkDamask

* Reading Disability in a Pair of Eighteenth Century Shoes: Mary Wise Farley, 1764

* Fashioning the New England Family: An exhibition at the Massachusetts Historical Society

* Kimberly Alexander shows a green silk wedding dress and matching shoes, also discussed in the podcast

* MASS Fashion–"a consortium of eight cultural institutions set up to explore and celebrate the many facets of the culture of fashion in Massachusetts."

Universal Declaration of Human Rights The History of Smallpox, from the Centers for Disease Control Chronology of the League of Nations David Abulafia, Frederick II: A Medieval Emperor Alan Bullock, Hitler and Stalin: Parallel Lives Pieter Geyl, Napoleon For and Against–in part written during Geyl’s imprisonment, containing many of his historiographical reflections