Thoughtful musings on various topics by interesting people at Blithewold

In the summer of 1894 Augustus Van Wickle, a graduate of Brown University, and his daughter Marjorie came to Rhode Island to scout out locations where Augustus might build a summer home for his family. … Read more.

Marjorie’s European Tour, 1903‐1904 Taken from letters to her mother, Bessie Marjorie and Helen Macartnay spent the last few weeks of their 11‐month tour in Rome, Florence, and Paris. Marjorie was looking forward to seeing … Read more.

Marjorie’s European Tour, 1903-1904 Taken from letters to her mother, Bessie MARCH   1904 – SOUTHERN ITALY Aboard the luxurious steamer ‘Cairo’ Marjorie and Miss Helen were able to relax and prepare themselves for the transition … Read more.

FEBRUARY 1904 – EGYPT February 1st 1904 found Marjorie and her chaperone Miss Helen Macartnay steaming south toward the old historic city of Luxor, site of the ancient Egyptian city of Thebes.  Arriving in the … Read more.

January 1904, Marjorie and Helen Macartnay left Italy to begin their long journey to Cairo – a long train ride to Brindisi; a steamer to Alexandria; and then another train to Cairo.  Marjorie’s first impressions … Read more.