Civil War Drums

Sigal Marks First Birthday

Town Crier David Rose led the procession of fife and drum, an Easton Fire Company squad and Civil War re-enactors into Centre Square in downtown Easton Saturday morning to deliver the news: The Sigal Museum was a year old.

Rose made stops around the Easton Farmers Market to announce that Northampton County history was alive and well -- and on display -- a block up the street with numerous programs throughout the weekend.

"We need to promote it more and get people through here," Mayor Sal Panto said during a ceremony in front of the museum following the procession. "If people know their history, they will have a much better appreciation about living here and taking care of things."

The mayor congratulated the Northampton County Historical and Genealogical Society, which owns and operates the 33,000-square-foot facility at 342 Northampton St., and museum executive director Barbara Kowitz for their efforts in the past year.

"We are grateful to the city, the county and the state for all of their support and to the businesses, individuals and organizations who have made contributions. Thanks to all of you for getting us to this point." "It can't be underscored," he said. "The past has shaped our present. It has given us a path. It creates culture and revitalization and does so much to make us aware of those who came before us."

State Sen. Bob Mensch also offered congratulations.

"As I walked to the square, I kept thinking that we were walking with history," he said. "I hope I'm here for the 100th anniversary."

Freeman presented a proclamation to Kowitz, who later showcased a birthday cake.

"It feels great starting year two," Kowitz said after the ceremony. "It's exciting and wonderful. It's a nice conclusion to year one. Happy history!"

Sunday's programs feature a portrayal of Mary Todd Lincoln by Melissa Rabinsky at 11 a.m.; a talk on "Easton Then and Now" at 1 p.m. and a history lecture by Richard Hope at 2:30 p.m.

The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and  from noon to 4 p.m. On Sunday. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for children under 12.

For more information, contact the museum at  610-258-2601 .

Previous Post - | Easy Reader News

By M. A. Cohen

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War, which began in 1861 and ended in 1865. SinceCaliforniahad something to do with starting the war between North and South, I became interested in comparing those days to ours and Googled local museums I could visit. Then, I got distracted.

It was a warm Saturday morning in July. I relaxed over a cup of coffee, reading a book called “Loneliness” by John T. Cacioppo and William Patrick. The book was referred to me by my youngest son, a college student. He learned a lot about human nature while studying the book for a psychology class. I too became fascinated, hardly noticing the sun burning higher in the cool blue sky. Another good beach day, but not an easy one for parking anywhere close, so, I kept reading. When I finally raised my head, it was already 10:30 a.m. My husband was getting a haircut and my other son, the boomerang college graduate, was away for the weekend. I had the house to myself, a perfect time to race around, dust rag and floor mop in hand without anyone underfoot. But to stay indoors on such a day? Anyone living along the coast has to be scared stiff that any time now the heavy fog will roll back in and linger relentlessly like it did all last summer.

“I’ve got to get out!” I thought. If the freeways were clear, I could make it toWilmingtonfrom my home inHermosa Beachfor a tour at the Civil War Drum Barracks and theBanningResidenceMuseumafter that.

It’s cause for celebration when the freeways are nearly empty, almost — dare I say — lonely? Where was everyone? I drove to the old barracks in 20 minutes – arriving just in time, yet taking long enough to reflect on the book I’d been reading. I followed the guide into the first room of the only surviving house of the Drum Barracks, which originally comprised 22 buildings of Union officers’ and soldiers’ quarters, a hospital, and structures for supplies. While the only male in our group was interested in the Gatling gun on big wheels, which could fire more than 350 rounds per minute, I studied the display of brightly painted figurines of Indian scouts who helped the Union army keep track of the Confederates’ movement. Why would native Indians get involved in our civil war? By then, Indians had disappeared in large numbers, killed in fights with American and European invaders or dead of their diseases. I remembered the “Loneliness” authors point out that isolation threatens our sense of purpose. Is it possible that the few remaining Indians were experiencing that? As a scout for the army, one now had some purpose, some value, and perhaps therefore, some camaraderie among American troops.

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