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Abraham Alphonse “Albert” Gallatin was born into a wealthy Swiss family in 1761. Orphaned at a young age and raised by an austere relative, Catherine Pictet, Gallatin attended the best Swiss schools. However, he was unhappy with his traditional upbringing. Seeking adventure and a new life, he immigrated with a childhood friend to North America …
Continue reading ‘Historic decanter hints at link to former Treasury Secretary’ »
Many of the American Christmas traditions that we enjoy today originated in Germany and were popularized in England in the 1840s by Queen Victoria and her German-born husband, Prince Albert. An engraving of the royal family celebrating Christmas around a brightly decorated tree was published worldwide in 1848, and soon Americans eager to emulate British …
Continue reading ‘Happy Holidays! Did you know that your Christmas tree has Victorian-era roots?’ »