Lunch with Harriet Tubman, Louisa May Alcott and an earnest farmer who braved the perils of the Civil War. That's what my day was like on Friday. I was so moved by these wonderful re-enactors' portrayals. Harriet's beautiful contralto gave us the marvelous spirituals and moving Follow the Drinking Gourd. Louisa told of her role as a nurse during the terrible days in the makeshift hospitals. Our farmer friend told of how terrible it was for the citizens and all that they endured. I was so proud of our students and how respectful they were during the presentations.

It was an exciting day at Station with cannons going off, infantry out back and a cotillion ball in the gym. Huck Finn was seen doing the Virginia Reel with a lovely Southern belle, while Abe Lincoln hoofed it with a sweet Becky Thatcher. All in all it was a satisfying day!

Civil War Days - makes me think

Do you ever wonder if you'd measure up in times of trouble? What would you do if you had to fight in a war, defend your land, fight for your rights? Would you do the right thing? With Civil War Day coming up here at Station, I've been thinking about whether I would have had the courage of my convictions and stand up against slavery. Would I have hid them in my home and save them from bounty hunters? Or if I were a slave, would I have been able to live in such a world, with families being torn apart, little food and long, hard work? We have some great books in the collection, giving you a glimpse into life in the United States during the Civil War.

One of my favorites is Black Storm Comin' by Diane Lee Wilson. 12-year-old Colton takes a job with the Pony Express in 1860 after his father abandons the family on their California-bound wagon train, and risks his life to deliver an important letter that may affect the growing conflict between the North and South.



Another is The River Between Us by Richard Peck. In this book, Peck gives the woman's perspective on the war and what it would be like to be living at that time, when families are divided, races are separated, and your life is threatened if you are seen with the wrong people.

North by Night by Katherine Ayres gives us the journal of a sixteen-year-old girl whose family operates a stop on the Underground Railroad. Lucinda leaves her home to help a neighbor protect nine fugitives (mostly children) on the woman's farm and, in the end, shepherds a newborn to freedom in Canada after the mother dies, thus never seeing her own family again. This is a powerful book telling a brave young woman's story.