Food

In 1918, people cooked much more than most of us today. Clara was only 18 years old, so she did not do a lot of cooking, but she mentions a few dishes. Here are some recipes from the early 1900s of foods she discusses in her journal. Popcorn Balls

Music

Music was a huge part of Clara’s life. She not only played the piano at home, but she played at funerals and other events. Specific songs were mentioned at both funerals and weddings. Plus, Clara and her friends attended a concerto, a quartet, and a Christmas program. Click on the songs below to hear an

Photos of People

Curious about what some of the people from Clara’s Journal look like? Or some of the places? Click through the gallery to find photos that will help bring Cresbard, South Dakota to life!. The Horen Family Cresbard Families (Chapters 1-7) Cresbard Families (Chapters 8-20)

Michael O’Halloran

Summary This novel written by Gene Stratton-Porter in 1915 tells the story of an orphaned newspaper boy in Indiana and his adventures helping others. After meeting a little crippled girl, he begins to make plans for a new life. He becomes a leader of the community and brings joy to all. Buy on Amazon (By

Seventeen: A Tale of Youth and Summer Time and the Baxter Family Especially William

Summary This novel satirizing first love by Booth Tarkington was published in 1916. Over the summer, 17-year-old William is convinced he has found true love and desperately pursues aspiring actress, Lola. Buy on Amazon Free Digital Copy Book Club Information Date and Time: December 14, 2021 @ 5 PM PT / 8 PM PT for

The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come

Summary This Civil War novel, written in 1903 by John Fox Jr., is about a young orphan boy who lives with a family on a farm in Kentucky. When that family dies, he is left to grow up alone and fight for the Union in the Civil War. It is considered “one of the most

Linda: or The Young Pilot of the Belle Creole

Summary This Southern morality tale by Caroline Lee Hentz and written in 1850 is set on a Mississippi plantation. The main character, Linda, rebels against the conventions about women of her day as she is abused by her stepmother. A sequel was published as “Robert Graham.” Buy on Amazon Free Digital Copy Book Club Information

Robert Graham

Summary This is the sequel to Caroline Lee Hentz’s novel Linda. Scholars consider both books to be culturally important to understanding the Antebellum South. Buy on Amazon Free Digital Copy Google books Date and Time: June 21, 2022 @ 5 PM PT / 8 PM PT for one hour Zoom Link Send your comments and/or

Joan of Arc

Summary This 1918 play was written by Thomas Wood Stevens to be performed for the troops in France, in the town Joan was born. Stevens described it as follows: “This is, fundamentally, a dramatic statement of the military career of Joan of Arc—and of course of the idea of defensive war, war for the freedom

Once to Every Man

Summary Larry Evans wrote this novel that was described as a romance of New York society. Main character Denny’s father and grandfather died of alcoholism, and as a result the rest of the town assumes Denny will also be an alcoholic. When his love interest Dryad thinks the same, Denny moves to New York to