I was relieved when Tom’s alarm rang at 6:30am on Tuesday May 17, 2022, primarily because I had survived the night. Two things haunted me from the moment my photographer turned out the room’s lights until the morning’s sunlight slipped…
Author: Thomas Watson
My name is Thomas Watson and I've been a U.S. history fanatic since I was 9 years old. In 2013, I decided to take my passion to the next level when I purchased a Thomas Jefferson bobble head with the sole intention of photographing that bobble head at Presidential sites. From that first day on July 10, 2013 at Spiegel Grove in Fremont, Ohio, this journey has taken on a life of its own. Now, nearly 40,000 miles later, I thought it was time to share the experiences, stories, and photos of Jefferson's travels. Keep in mind, this entire venture has been done with the deepest respect for the men who held the office as our President; no matter what their political affiliations, personal ambitions, or public scandals may have been. This blog is intended to be a true tribute to the Presidents of the United States and this story will be told Through the Eyes of Jefferson. I hope you enjoy the ride!
203: POSSESSED OR ABDUCTED? MY NIGHT OF FRIGHT IN WASHINGTON
The weather forecast for Washington D.C. on Monday May 16, 2022 was scattered showers with a possibility of thunderstorms throughout the entire morning – and perhaps into the early afternoon. While that meteorological report would disappoint most tourists, it was…
202: RUTHERFORD WAS NO PURPLE HAYES ON ‘HAIL TO THE CHIEF’
In the latest episode of our “hit” show ‘Hail to the Chief’, you’ll see photos and hear stories about our travels to sites associated with our 19th President Rutherford B. Hayes. Did you know ol’ Rud was born at a…
201: BOOTH’S FINAL ACT WAS NO THEATRICAL TRAGEDY – PART II
When the three of us arrived at Rich Hill at roughly 1:45pm on Sunday May 15, 2022, I was happy to see we were alone. During our first visit to the historic home a year earlier, a construction crew was…
200: FROM THE STAGE TO MUDD – IN HOT PURSUIT OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH PART I
Let me start off by stating the obvious – I despise John Wilkes Booth, and what he did in 1865, with every resin fiber in my body. As a matter of fact, I can’t stand any pathetic, low-life, scum-bucket, maggot…
199: I LIT A STOGIE IN HONOR OF GRANT ON ‘HAIL TO THE CHIEF’
On July 1, 2022, the talented folks at GBS Media in Port Huron, Michigan published our latest episode of ‘Hail to the Chief’ that features the life and times of President Ulysses S. Grant. There is a link to click…
198: I GOT MY EXORCISE IN KENNEDY’S CAMELOT
It was Saturday May 14, 2022 when my photographer, along with his good friend Bob Moldenhauer, were awakened by their alarm clock at 6:00am in our La Quinta hotel room near the Manassas Battlefield. I was ecstatic – it was…
197: OUR LUCK WAS TESTED ON FRIDAY THE 13th
Tom’s alarm went off at 5:50am on Friday May 13, 2022. When my companions opened the curtains in our room at the Hampton Inn, there was no doubt Friday the 13th had begun with horrible luck. A storm was moving…
196: ANDREW JOHNSON – FROM RAGS TO RICHES ON ‘HAIL TO THE CHIEF’
Andrew Johnson never attended school a day in his life. Yet through hard work, determination, and an assassin’s bullet, the once upon a time tailor became the 17th President of the United States. Over the past few years, my photographer…
195: THE BUZZARDS WERE CIRCLING DURING THE HIKE FROM HELL
My photographer’s alarm went off at 6:00am on Wednesday May 11, 2022, but I’m not totally sure why he had it set in the first place. After a full plate of Presidential and historic sites the previous day, Tom had…