Category Archives: Ideas

Bill of Rights Day — December 15, 1791

On December 15, 1791, the new United States of America ratified the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, confirming the fundamental rights of its citizens. The Bill of Rights draws influence and inspiration from the Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689), and various later efforts in England …

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Come Help Us Create a Unique Portable Bar at Fort Mifflin

TODAY at 19:00 EST via Zoom! On September 17, 2022, Fort Mifflin took possession of an Amish surrey style wagon approximately 5 ft wide and 7 feet long in serviceable condition.  This buggy was donated by Warehouse on Watts and transported to the fort by Fort Mifflin staff.  The buggy is in “good” condition but …

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We’re Reopening the Blacksmith Shop at Fort Mifflin

In 1776 the Committee of Safety of the Delaware River ordered a “Smith Shop and Forge” to be built on Mud Island. That building was likely demolished during the siege of 1777 but we have the rebuild (new and improved) blacksmith shop from 1798   The only thing missing is a blacksmith is on duty managing …

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Come Help Us Create a Unique Portable Bar at Fort Mifflin

On September 17, 2022, Fort Mifflin took possession of an Amish surrey style wagon approximately 5 ft wide and 7 feet long in serviceable condition.  This buggy was donated by Warehouse on Watts and transported to the fort by Fort Mifflin staff.  The buggy is in “good” condition but not roadworthy and does need minor …

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Monuments to the Stupidity of Mankind

Okay this is off topic for me and political.  On December 5, 1933, the 21st Amendment was ratified, as announced in this proclamation from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment of January 16, 1919, ending the increasingly unpopular nationwide prohibition of alcohol. In 1826 the American Temperance Society was founded …

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And Now for Something Completely Different.

Finnish Wife Carrying Competitions Rosov Ronkainen, a notorious Finnish man from the 1800s, is known for stealing both women and food from nearby villages. He required his accomplices to go through an obstacle course while carrying something heavy on their backs to be sure they could handle the stolen bounties. Now, Finland has both a …

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The Birth of Urban Planning in America

Despite what you may think today, Philadelphia was America’s first planned city.  William Penn had a broad vision for the new settlement and started a revolution in city planning: the open grid plan that became Philadelphia.  Having witnessed plague in London in 1665 and the famously calamitous fire of 1666, Penn wanted his Philadelphia to …

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The “beer before liquor” rule has no scientific basis.

I am sure you’ve heard “Beer before liquor, never been sicker; liquor before beer, you’re in the clear.” This is an adage of unknown origin claiming that low alcohol-by-volume (ABV) beverages (like beer) are best imbibed at the end of a night of drinking rather than early on. There are, however, NO scientific studies supporting …

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