Greg writes frequently for Early American Life magazine, where he is contributing editor. He is a lifelong student of history, and his popular articles are a well-rounded counterpoint to his marketing, business and technical writing. He also has written articles for Secure Computing, PC and several other technology magazines.

You can also view these articles on one of Greg's blogs entitled Early American Writings. The images are larger there.

 

WALKING STICKS
Early American Life, August, 2010

No personal accessory in human history has a more diverse heritage than the walking stick, and it was great fun for me to trace the evolution of the cane and especially its varied presence in early America. An astounding array of folk-art canes ~ as well as their more formal counterparts ~ are highly collectible and today can fetch several thousands of dollars.

 

 

PERSONAL LIGHTING
Early American Life, June, 2010

America's colonists carried a variety of personal light fixtures, such as lanterns, chambersticks, and even pocket-size candleholders, sometimes regarded today as "colonial flashlights." A select few of today's skilled tinsmiths and blacksmiths continue to reproduce these items, mostly to satisfy demand from the growing numbers of Revolutionary-era and Civil War re-enactors. This article explains the history of these lighting devices, plus I talked with several of the leading artisans still making them in the traditional ways.

 

 

MILLINER'S MODELS
Early American Life, April, 2010

It turns out that the charming, early-1800s German doll so popular in Europe and America was not at all a model for displaying milliners' offerings but always was as originally intended ~ a true doll for play. This article dispels the myths surrounding this little doll that remains so popular with doll collectors around the world.

 

 

WINDSOR SETTEES
Early American Life, April, 2010

Settees were a natural extension of the extremely popular American Windsor chair, but chairmakers soon discovered a number of major challenges to successfully building the settee. This article discusses the evolution of the Windsor settee, how the challenges were overcome and how they're still being overcome by a handful of today's skilled Windsor artisans, several of whom I interviewed for the article.

 

 

 

SPRING CLEANING
Early American Life, April, 2010

Each spring, people in early America scrubbed themselves and their households clean of months of filth that had accumulated to a degree shocking to our modern sensibilities. Not only did I describe the winter and spring household habits of the era, but also accumulated some fascinating demographics on the living conditions in the first two centuries of European settlement in the New World.

 

 

 

BURL TREEN
Early American Life, February, 2010

America's earliest European settlers were astounded at the exquisite beauty of Native American woodware carved from burl and quickly set out to replicate it. Since the 17th Century, burl treen has remained a highly prized form of American woodware. This article traces the origins of burl treen, featuring the research of New York antiques dealer Stephen Powers as well as the work of a modern master of burl treen, Michael Combs of Indiana.

 

 

 

COLONIAL READING
Early American Life, February, 2010

Despite the travails of living in the wilderness, America's colonists were avid readers, achieving a higher literacy rate than that of England. This article explores the growth of reading in the colonies, what the settlers read and the impact on early American society. This article appeared under one of my pseudonyms.

 

 

THEOREM PAINTING
Early American Life, Christmas, 2009

While painting with stencils has an ancient history, it became a decorative rage in America in the early 1800s, as artists created a surprising array of beautiful paintings on velvet, silk and paper. This article traces the history of early American theorem painting, explains why it became popular and why it declined, plus features four of the country's most talented theorem painters who are keeping this treasured craft alive today.

 

 

THE MALMBERG HOUSE
Early American Life, Christmas, 2009

John and Randee Malmberg of Rockford, Illinois, have been collecting rare Christmas decorations for decades. And each yuletide season, the collection is nestled among the couple's equally outstanding collection of early American antiques. The article is a tour of their saltbox home and a recounting of the years spent tracking down their treasures.

 

 

COOKING HEARTHS
Early American Life, October, 2009

Tracing the history of silhouettes from their earliest origins to their heyday in the early 1800s. Here, I explore the origins of their popularity and some less-known aspects of their creation. The article also features interviews with four exceptionally talented creators of silhouettes today.

 

 

COLONIAL PUNISHMENTS
Early American Life, August, 2009

Early Americans relied on shaming and humiliation for punishment of serious and minor crimes alike as they struggled to keep harmony in their isolated communities. This intently researched article examines colonial law enforcement from both social and religious standpoints.

 

 

SILHOUETTES
Early American Life, June, 2009

Tracing the history of silhouettes from their earliest origins to their heyday in the early 1800s. Here, I explore the origins of their popularity and some less-known aspects of their creation. The article also features interviews with four exceptionally talented creators of silhouettes today.

 

 

EARLY CHIP CARVING
Early American Life, February, 2009

Examining the art of chip carving, which has an ancient history and was a predominant decorative feature on many early American domestic items and furniture. The article traces the history of chip carving and features interviews with three of today's most skilled carvers who use traditional techniques.

 

 

THE GEER HOUSE
Early American Life, December 2008

An extraordinary story of one family's love and dedication to a tract of rolling Connecticut countryside going back to the 1680s. The centerpiece is Charlotte Geer and the beautiful historic house she reconstructed and furnished on land the Geers have worked for ten generations.

 

 

EARLY COOKIE CUTTERS
Early American Life, December 2008

Tracing the history of shaped cookies from ancient times to the 1850s. This deeply researched article sheds unusual light on the evolution of the cookie cutter, plus features interviews with four of today's leading creaters of tin cutters who use traditional tinsmithing methods.

 

 

 

WINDSOR WRITING CHAIRS
Early American Life, October 2008

Windsor chairs are a hallmark of American furniture making, and the Windsor writing chair is the pinnacle of the line. This article explores the fascinating history of the Windsor writing chair and features a half-dozen of the country's most notable woodworkers who still create this distinctive piece.

 

 

THE REEVES HOUSE
Early American Life, October 2008

Visiting the intriguing home of collector Vernon Reeves in eastern Missouri, where he built a house combining an 1840 log cabin with a contemporary structure designed to showcase his extensive array of antiques. Vernon's collection spans the 18th and 19th centuries, with emphasis on primitive pieces of the early 1800s.

 

 

EARLY NAILS
Early American Life, June 2008

Tracing the unusual history of nails, from the Stone Age to the mid 19th Century. This deeply researched article brings to light many fascinating facts regarding the common nail, and includes interviews with a handful of the few blacksmiths who are continuing the long legacy of the handmade nail.

 

 

 

SHAKER BOXES
Early American Life, April 2008

History of the distinctive Shaker boxes, with details from several of the country's leading authorities on Shaker culture. Plus, interviews with five of today's most authentic reproducers of these treasured artifacts, using traditional methods of creating them.

 

 

 

EARLY PISTOLS
Early American Life, April 2008

An Eye on Antiques article, it takes a deep look at the early history of handguns in North America from the 1500s to mid 1800s, with emphasis on the flintlock pistol. The article features valuable information for the collector as well as numerous anecdotes.

 

 

 

EARLY EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Early American Life, February 2008

Examining the heritage of exterior lighting on early homes and in today's living museums. The article explains how curators and lighting companies have transformed other styles of lighting - such as carriage lamps and ships' lanterns - to create fixtures where none existed historically.

 

 

THE NEWKIRK HOUSE
Early American Life, February 2005

An unusually touching article about Wes Newkirk and his late wife Elizabeth and their long search for a house to restore, and then the years of diligent and painstaking work to achieve what is now one of Kentucky’s most remarkable residential landmarks.

 

 

 

 

THE CURRY HOUSE
Early American Life, Christmas 2005

Ginny and Bill Curry have created a primitive wonderland amid the rolling hills of southern Ohio, with several log cabins and a thriving antiques business.

 

 

MEN'S POCKETBOOKS
Early American Life, December 2007

Few people are aware that men's embroidered pocketbooks were the height of fashion in the mid-1700s, signifying wealth and social position. This is one of the most definitive articles on the topic, using as sources some of the country's leading experts in historical costume and accessories.

 

 

 

PEWTER TABLEWARE
Early American Life, December 2007

A deeply researched account of early tableware and Britain's enforcement of trade laws to reap huge profits from colonial tableware. Included are interviews with leading museum experts and four of the country's leading creators of pewterware in the traditional American style.

 

 

THE HENSON HOUSE
Early American Life, June 2004

A visit with Joy and John Henson in their primitive home that recreates the early Ohio frontier. The article generated a number of letters from readers inspired by Joy’s lifelong search for rare furnishings on a tight budget, plus a glimpse into the fascinating mind of a reenactor.

 

 

TEA TABLES
Early American Life, October 2007

Tea tables were the social center of the early American household. This article traces their development and features interviews with a half-dozen of the country's most respected builders of tea tables today.

 

 

 

JAMESTOWN GLASS
Early American Life, April 2007

Commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, this article delves into the ill-fated first attempt to create glass in the New World. My research unearthed stories of murder, massacre, and even contemporary archeological disputes regarding the glassmaking site. It includes profiles of today's leading creators of what is known as Jamestown Glass.

 

 

CANDLEMAKING
Early American Life, February 2007

Recounting the important history of candles in American history, plus some tips on achieving an early ambience. Also included are interviews with two purist chandlers and a leading manufacturer of candles in traditional styles.

 

TALL CLOCKS
Early American Life, August 2006

Tall clocks have been a stately centerpiece of period homes for centuries. This article traces the history of these beautiful pieces and has interviews with several of the most prominent builders of exceptional tall clocks today.

 

 

 

FLOORCLOTHS
Early American Life, April 2006

Painted canvas floorcloths from medieval Europe to now, including discussions with three artists still painting them with historical splendor.

 

 

HOUSE HISTORIES
Early American Life, February 2006

Learning how to research the history of your home. The article includes interviews with foremost researchers and authors of house genealogy and explains current trends in dating such as dendrochronology.

 

WOODEN TOYS
Early American Life, Christmas 2006

The role of wooden toys in American childhood since the earliest settlers, plus details on the changing nature of childhood itself since colonial times.

 

 

 

LIGHTING
Early American Life, December 2005

Another article useful for decorating period homes, presenting a history of authentic lighting and interviews with four leading producers of reproduction early lighting fixtures.

 

FRACTUR
Early American Life, April 2005

An examination of this early and colorful Pennsylvania Dutch art form, plus interviews with three of the country’s most talented painters of Fraktur.

 

TINWARE
Early American Life, December 2006

A history of colorful American country painted tin and discussions with four of the country’s leading tinware artists.

 

THE RHODUS HOUSE
Early American Life, December 2005

Betty and Jack Rhodus have spent a lifetime collecting and selling superb antiques, and today their prized reproduction 1715 home is like stepping back 300 years in time.

 

HARDWARE
Early American Life, February 2005

A history of door hardware from Plymouth through the colonial period, providing a useful restoration and decorating guide and including discussions with four blacksmiths and manufacturers who create period hardware.

 

TAVERNS
Early American Life, October 2004

An account of the rigors of early travel plus visits to three excellent New England taverns that have survived since 1810, including a history of each. The article includes three excellent recipes supplied by the innkeepers.