History will sneak up on you

A visiting nurse was at the home of a 93-year old mid-Maryland patient this weekend. In making conversation, the nurse noticed an old photograph; it was a shot of the patient's great grandparents just after the Civil War. This patient knew the number of the slave auction block in which they had been sold. The dress in the photo was still in the attic, in great shape, along with other artifacts. The nurse urged the 93-year old to contact the local history society.

After the visit, the nurse contacted the local society herself and got a commitment that they would visit this elderly lady. "I feel really good about this," the nurse told me.

Are you prepared for a history emergency?