New Book Releases

Fort Payne was named for the US Army stockade at the Native American village of Willstown, where Cherokee scholar Sequoyah developed his famous alphabet in the 1820s. Following the Cherokee Removal of 1838, known as the Trail of Tears, a farming settlement developed around the stockade site, and the arrival of the Wills Valley Railroad in the 1850s helped shape its early growth. The small town became the county seat in 1878 and quickly boomed into a coal and iron industrial powerhouse filled with the municipal infrastructure, stately structures, and elegant residences that define the city today. By mid-century, Fort Payne was experiencing its second boom and was ultimately recognized as the "Sock Capital of the World."

New York State Lighthouses explores the great lighthouse heritage of New York State. Second only to Michigan in the number of lighthouses it contains, New York boasts a lighthouse legacy that stretches from the Great Lakes to the tip of Long Island. Many of these lighthouses, even some no longer in existence, were photographed for use on early postcards and are assembled for the fi rst time in the pages of this book.

The Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909 honored the tercentennial of Henry Hudson's great find for the Dutch and the centennial of Robert Fulton's steamboat. These events anchored settlements along the Hudson River valley and helped to define this famous region. The celebration, which coincided with the heyday of the penny postcard, was a multi-week, cross-state parade and party. Among its many vintage images, Hudson-Fulton Celebration of 1909 features unique postcards from the magnificent event by blockbuster artist Bernhardt Wall, renowned publisher Raphael Tuck, and an official souvenir series from the Redfield Brothers.

In 1926, the city of Philadelphia hosted the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition to honor the 150th anniversary of American independence. The exposition featured four major exhibition palaces where innovations and advancements in science, technology, education, industry, and agriculture were displayed. An additional fifth palace was dedicated to the fine arts, and foreign nations and individual states erected their own buildings as well. The exposition's theme of patriotism was showcased through the re?created High Street of 1776, a favorite for many. Visitors were also entertained and delighted as they experienced areas known as Treasure Island and the Gladway, where all manner of amusements abounded. Crowds were drawn to the many sporting and cultural events held in the newly built stadium. Even the grounds of the navy yard were opened to the public, allowing citizens views of historic and modern naval vessels and military exhibits. By these offerings, and many others, the Sesqui-Centennial International Exposition celebrated the nation's past, present, and future.