Just Below Your Feet
A year ago, during American Archaeology Field School, one of my students asked about Cultural Resource Management in Pennsylvania. I told her about...
Public Archaeology
As a historical archaeologist, I work with museums and non-profit organizations, colleges and universities, public and private schools, and...
Stewards of the Past
I thwarted my husband’s vacation plans. Days before he purchased tickets for a Caribbean cruise, I suggested Scotland. In the blink of an eye, I...
The Heritage Trail
A stroll along the James P. Bressler Heritage Trail on Canfield Island is invigorating and educational. It’s also tranquil, this quiet spot...
Mighty Susquehanna
The Susquehanna is a shallow river that flows about 440 miles, from Cooperstown to the Chesapeake Bay. Nearly 200 years ago, canals were used to...
Downsizing
She’s gone. Dan picked “To Blave” up one bitter, cold day in April and headed for Wisconsin. He sent us a note; he and his son finally went sailing...
Daysailing
Daysailing, also called dinghy cruising, has been described as “a magical way of exploring new coastlines and experiencing nature at close...
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Prev NextREAD ABOUT Archaeology
Just Below Your Feet
A year ago, during American Archaeology Field School, one of my students asked about Cultural Resource...
READ ABOUT History
Heritage Downloads
My History Is America’s History This free eBook, “My History Is America’s History: 15...
READ ABOUT Travel
Mighty Susquehanna
The Susquehanna is a shallow river that flows about 440 miles, from Cooperstown to the Chesapeake Bay....
Heritage Downloads
My History Is America’s History This free eBook, “My History Is America’s History: 15 Things You...
Canfield Island
Canfield Island is a recent addition to the Susquehanna shoreline, having been added during the 19th century during...
Hobie Makes Kayaks
Hobie, a leading catamaran design company, expanded and introduced a line of sit-on-top kayaks, fishing kayaks and...
School Days
Working with Muncy Historical Society and the students (past and present) of Muncy Jr/Sr High School, historian Robin...
Pennsylvania’s Forests
posted on: Jul 31, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
Pennsylvania’s forests reflect a history of choices — from peaceful coexistence between humans and the forests to the massive harvesting of the...
Lumber Heritage
posted on: Jul 31, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
The Lumber Heritage Region holds a key to the rich heritage of Pennsylvania’s forests–from the struggles of the pioneers to the cut-and-run...
Shawn Gardner
posted on: Jun 28, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
Artisan Shawn Gardner, of Fair Chase Designs, presents on prehistoric technology and Native American art. This is presentation is suitable for...
Barbara Barnes
posted on: Jun 28, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
Barbara Barnes’ art vessels reflect a keen appreciation for nature in shapes and colors. She uses interactive glazes, often firing multiple...
Joy McCracken
posted on: Jun 28, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
Joy McCracken is a spinning and weaving expert. McCracken demonstrates the craft of creating fabric from animal hair to students. One of her...
Muncy Historical Society
posted on: Jun 27, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
Muncy Historical Society and Museum of History, a not-for-profit, all volunteer organization founded in 1936, focuses on preservation and...
A Monument to Exodusters
posted on: Jun 27, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
DUNLAP, Kansas — On a lonely, country road in Dunlap, Kan., a monument soars. An engraved stainless steel plaque stretches between two pillars...
Moving On
posted on: Apr 28, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
We sold our Precision 15K, an excellent starter sailboat. Hold on, I have to wipe a tear from my eye. It moved to Wisconsin. A local judge there...
Lakes are Great for Beginners
posted on: Apr 23, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
The temperature simmered in the mid-90s last Sunday, but it did not deter the sailors from a rendezvous at Rose Valley Lake. As the bass boats...
Van Wagner
posted on: Apr 8, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
Since he was a child, Van Wagner has been singing, strumming, rambling, and picking his way through the hills of Pennsylvania. With more than 100...
Knots and Some Do Nots
posted on: Jan 31, 2011 | author: Robin Van Auken
There’s value in sailors learning how to properly tie a knot because a bad thing can happen with poorly tied knots: The boat could drift away. A...
Boat No. 2
posted on: Jun 28, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
I admit it — I’ve been waffling. There are so many awesome boats available and every time I go to a boat show I fall in love with a new one....
My History Is America’s
posted on: Jun 11, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
If you’ve ever wanted to know who you are and where you came from, you’re not alone. More than 100 million Americans are looking for...
Newport in the Winter
posted on: May 31, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
NEWPORT, RI – Seagulls surf the bitter wind off Narragansett Bay as a lone lobster boat chugs home. By January, the blue bay in Newport, the...
Head for Mile Marker Zero
posted on: May 31, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
KEY WEST— It is time for the annual migration of snowbirds. Houses are secured, SUVs are packed, and neighbors are waved farewell. Those fortunate...
Snorkeling the Tortugas
posted on: May 31, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
DRY TORTUGAS – If you can swim – okay, if you can float – then you can snorkel and the best snorkeling in North America is at Dry Tortugas National...
Where Is the Best Boat Show?
posted on: May 31, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
MIAMI BEACH – The traffic had stalled on Collins Avenue, also known as A1A. Drivers didn’t seem to mind; their eyes were glued on the mega yachts...
Visit Annapolis Offseason
posted on: May 31, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
ANNAPOLIS, MD – If winter winds on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island aren’t your cup of tea, then consider heading south to the Chesapeake Bay and...
Consider Trailer Sailing
posted on: May 31, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
Living in Northcentral Pennsylvania is advantageous for land-locked sailors. In addition to several large lakes and reservoirs nearby,...
Learn to Sail the Right Way
posted on: Feb 15, 2010 | author: Robin Van Auken
We made the decision to learn how to sail and to purchase a sailboat in 2005 so we took Basic Keelboat (BKB 101) sailing lessons with Flagship...
Greenwich: Where Time Begins
posted on: Dec 21, 2008 | author: Robin Van Auken
GREENWICH, England – This is where East meets West. This also is where Time begins and when the New Year begins, this is where the first clock...
Robin Van Auken
I am a writer and educator, specializing in historic topics. I have 25+ years as a journalist, working for daily and weekly newspapers in Florida and Pennsylvania. I am the author and co-author of 10 books on regional history, including "Play Ball! The Story of Little League Baseball."
I teach communication and anthropological archaeology at Lycoming College. I also direct the summer youth program, Lycoming College for Kids & Teens.
Educational Specialties: Experience developing curricula for for students of all ages. Confident speaker for groups, small and large. Experience mentoring and advising students, and overseeing independent projects and internships.
Editorial Specialties: Writing, editing, researching, instructing, organizing workshops, website content development, teaching and integrating social media, and most activities within general print and digital communications.
Anthropological Specialties: Instructing, overseeing field schools, organizing public archaeology digs, museum curation, cultural consultation, historic and prehistoric site survey, researching, writing reports.
Books by Van Auken
