Clara Barton

Thursday, November 17th-We left DC today to go back to PA  to pick up Miss Jim B.  We stopped at the Clara Barton National Historic Site.  This was extremely educational and enjoyable.  Clara Barton is the first woman to be honored by the National Park Service.  Affectionately called The Angel of the Battlefield, she is responsible for bringing the Red Cross to this country.  Born in Massechusetts on Christmas day 1821,she lived to be 90 years old (passing 4 days before the sinking of the Titanic).  She lived through 23 presidents and though she was friend's with many of them,  she was not allowed to vote.

Clara was the youngest of five children and grew up in a happy home.  She loved to ride horses and ice skate.  Reportedly she was very smart and could spell the word artichoke when she was three.  Being a tomboy and not the typical Victorian girl was of concern so a Fernologist was consulted.  After feeling her head, he said that she should become a school teacher.

At 17, she began teaching and eventually would open her own school in New Jersey.  School was not free in New Jersey and she felt all should have the opportunity for an education.  Miss Barton was an excellent teacher and the school grew from 6-600 students.  However, a male was hired as principal since a woman could not possibly handle so many students.  Miss Barton quit and moved to DC to work in the patent office.  She was very good at her job but was eventually demoted due to her gender.

About this time the Civil War was breaking out and she felt called to make a difference especially after seeing 40 of her former students injured after a battle.  She started collecting food and supplies to help the soldiers.  In 1862, she received a pass to help out on the front line at Antietam.  Here a bullet would pass through her sleeve and fatally wound the soldier she was helpingShe would particiapte in 13Civil War battles. At first, she helped only Northern soldiers but would eventually help all soldiers. After the war, Lincoln put her in charge of the Missing Soldiers Office. Miss Barton became tired and needed a vacation where she went to Switzerland.  It was here she was introduced to the REd Cross and would stay and work for three years.  When she came back to the states, she tried to convince the government to start a Red Cross but they didn't think we would be having any more wars  soon.  She traveled and gave lectures on her experiences and on civil rights.  Made lots of money doing this.  Eventually, she had a good idea:  Natural Disasters.  This idea spurred the govt. to allow the establishment of the Red Cross.  The Red Cross was crucial in the relief of the Johnstown Flood.  She would help send supplies to other countries as well: Russia, Cuba, France, Germany.

She was 60 years old when she started the Red Cross and 75 when she was offered this free mansion by the developers of Glen Echo.  They thought it would boost their sales to have a resident celebrity.  It was in this house that she lived her last 15 years, managed the Red Cross Office, and hosted numerous volunteers and guests.

Our tour guide, Ranger Fran was excellent and we joined in with a second grade class on the tour.  We loved seeing the supplies stored away in the hall closets and the red cross stained glass window.  Bandages hung the chandellier and cloth for bandages covered the walls.  The floating bedroom was a favorite of nephew, Steve Barton who helped with the REd Cross.  The sunroom on the second floor was where she would write 70 letters a week. At 83, Clara helped start the First Aid Association of America.