Author Archives: Paige Gibbons Backus

Sally Louisa Tompkins: Nurse, Philanthropist, Captain

Posted on March 28, 2019 by Paige Gibbons Backus

Throughout history, women have been pushed into extraordinary situations, rising to the challenge and earning their place in the history. Women’s History Month is dedicated to celebrating the perseverance of women throughout history and today as we strive to overcome … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian, Medical, Memory | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

“I Found My Passion For The Subject”

Posted on March 14, 2019 by Paige Gibbons Backus

Growing up visiting museums and traveling to battlefields, I always had an interest in history and knew what I wanted to work with it. Yet I didn’t really know how to go about getting into the field. In the end, … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion

Posted on January 25, 2019 by Paige Gibbons Backus

When it comes to primary resources regarding Civil War medicine, one of the best sources available to researchers is the The Medical and Surgical History of the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865. The history grew out of what was known as … Continue reading →

Posted in Common Soldier, Emerging Civil War, Emerging Civil War Series, Material Culture, Medical, Primary Sources | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

ECW Weekender: Wisconsin Veterans Museum

Posted on January 11, 2019 by Paige Gibbons Backus

While home for the holidays in Wisconsin, I always try to do something historic like visit a museum, explore a city, or go to a brewery. This year, with the World War I centennial and the newly released documentary, They … Continue reading →

Posted in ECW Weekender, Material Culture | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Christmas in the Hospitals: Bringing Cheer to a Dreary Holidays

Posted on December 14, 2018 by Paige Gibbons Backus

It is never fun to spend the holidays in the hospital and it was no different during the Civil War. Soldiers in pain from battle wounds or suffering from diseases or infections, sometimes exasperated by wartime shortages, made the holiday … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian, Common Soldier, Holidays, Medical | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Railroads: Women Refugees and the Railroads

Posted on November 7, 2018 by Paige Gibbons Backus

Over the course of the Civil War, thousands of civilians left their homes and became refugees seeking safety. Several thoughts and questions quickly went into the minds of those put into unimaginable situations that turned their lives upside down. Where … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

The Rise of Spirit Photography

Posted on October 1, 2018 by Paige Gibbons Backus

As we near Halloween, thoughts of ghosts and spirits often come to the minds of visitors at historic places. I have recently started getting questions about ghosts, and this got me thinking about spirits “seen” by people in the 19th … Continue reading →

Posted in Civilian, Photography | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Limb Pit at Manassas National Battlefield Continues to Show the Horrors of Civil War Medicine

Posted on August 27, 2018 by Paige Gibbons Backus

After over 150 years, the Civil War is still one of the mostly widely studied historical moments in history with new discoveries continuously being made. Recently one of these extraordinary finds took place while workers were digging at a construction … Continue reading →

Posted in Medical, Preservation | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments