Guest Post: Delaware Before The Railroads

“If you think you know Delaware, think again. Pirates? Quakers fighting with Pennsylvania? Towns so ugly no one would settle there? With stunning pictures and straightforward storytelling, Dave Tabler opens hidden passages and describes defining moments in this founding American colony. Telling this small state’s story gives you a sense of the big picture in American history. Enjoy this fresh look at Delaware through Dave Tabler’s eyes.” — Wendy Welch, author The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap

“Whether discussing the colored spear tips that showed the community if a person had been found guilty or not, to the stones that identified the Mason-Dixon Line, Dave Tabler’s book on colonial Delaware offers the reader a smorgasbord of interesting stories and photos of its early years. This is another book to add to collections about the beginnings of our country.” –– Sheila Ingle, winner, South Carolina Daughters of the American Revolution Historical Preservation Award for four of her young reader novels about South Carolina heroines during the Revolutionary War

“Thoroughly researched and well-written, Delaware before the Railroads offers a glimpse into the past through a present lens. Respected historian Dave Tabler utilizes colorful and intriguing photographs to tell Delaware’s foundational stories.” — Jan Loveday Dickens, Tennessee author and educator

“Dave Tabler’s impeccable research and clearly written descriptives tell a truthful and provocative story for anyone interested in the subject or doing research for other works covering the same period. The colorful and informative photographs tell the story of not only Colonial Delaware residents from 1638-1832 but our American forefathers in general. We learn about every aspect of their way of life during the most critical time of our country’s history.” — Lisa Soland, author, and senior editor of Climbing Angel Publishing

“Dave Tabler has crafted a concise and fascinating photographic account of early Delaware. “Delaware Before The Railroads” is definitely a book that should be in the collection of anyone interested not only in the history of Delaware but also in the history of colonial America.” — Steve Gilly, “Stories, A History of Appalachia” podcast

“Beautifully illustrated and presented in a unique format, ‘Delaware Before the Railroads’ is an easy and informative read-sure to appeal to Early American and Delaware history buffs.” –-Amelia E. Miller, Tennessee author and historian

“Tabler’s purpose, indeed, his mission, is to create a tribute to the culture and history of Delaware before the coming of the railroad. Consequently, he not only rediscovers the past, he also preserves and celebrates it with a montage of vivid images and an insightful narrative.” –– Gary Carden, author, storyteller, playwright

Delaware before the railroads arrived in 1832 was hotly contested real estate. Circle back to 1610 for a ride that takes you through culture clashes, colonization, revolution and beyond.

Guest Post: Historical Reenactments in Delaware

There’s no lack of historical re-enactments in Delaware. And there are plenty of history lovers happy to role play history in order to educate the public.

Why, then, doesn’t “Delaware Before the Railroads” incorporate any of these types of photos?

I’ve photographed a lot of people in colonial costume over the years. And yes, I thought long and hard about adding these types of images to the book.

Ultimately, for me the costumed interpreter photos feel like event photography.  Even when interpreters are careful to remove modern glasses, shoes, wrist watches, or jewelry, I still feel like I’m watching a performance. A contemporary play in a historical setting.

So, how to suggest a human presence in the book, then? One photo I included featured a period dress hanging on a clothing dummy. What I like about that image is that the reader can mentally fill in the blanks of what a woman living in the colonial era would have looked like. 

In another photo I used a mannequin of a male slave looking out a window to suggest a longing for freedom. Mannequins are extremely tricky. Shown full front, they look stiff and unconvincing. With the male slave mannequin I placed the camera looking over its shoulder and avoided the problem that way. Contrast that to the mannequin of the female slave sitting at the spinning wheel. Lifeless gaze, hands awkwardly positioned. This image does NOT place me in the period in any way! Couldn’t use it. Luckily I had plenty of other workable material to add the human touch in a believable way.