They say that the shortest distance between two points, and judging by the length of time they were in operation, the Adams Express Company were among to the first to put that axiom to use.
They are a company that started out in 1854 as a publicly traded company, and continues in operation to this day, albeit in a different area of focus.
Adams was a leader in the in the shipping business at the time, handing not only parcels and hard goods, but as an agent for the United States Postal Service. The company had established offices in north and south, but the Civil War, not only drove a wedge into the country, but for
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practical purposes, split the company in two. It did put them in a unique situation of being able to continue shipping north and south during the entire course of the war. One could send something by US Mail which would be delivered to Adams Express, which would continue the service to destination points in the Confederacy.
Their preexisting network ,as well as security, allowed them to run payroll services for both the Union and Confederate Armies.
Interestingly enough their major competitor in the shipping business has also continued operation to this day, also shifting focus from their 19th century origins. While Adams has slightly changed the name of their company, this competitor has not. Their name was as recognizable in the 1860's as it is today; American Express.
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Lexington County Museum.
8231 Fox Street Lexington, SC 29072
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The Lexington County Museum, located at 231 Fox Street in downtown Lexington, SC, offers a rare and unforgettable experience – the chance to see and touch a way of life gone forever. The museum is comprised of historic structures that tell the story of everyday life for Lexington County residents in the colonial and antebellum period. The museum, started in 1970 with four historic buildings, now features 30 historic structures on seven acres. |
The largest structure on the grounds and the first to be a part of the museum is the ca. 1832 John Fox House. John Fox, a wealthy planter and politician, bought the house in 1843. The museum has furnished the house with period pieces from Lexington County that show how an upper class home would have been decorated around the mid-nineteenth century. The Fox House is home to the museum’s large quilt and coverlet collection. These textiles date from ca. 1820 to the first quarter of the twentieth century and were mostly made in Lexington County and the Dutch Fork (an area between the Broad and Saluda Rivers that was named due to the number of Germans and Swiss Germans in the area). The Fox House also has two structures associated with it that were used for housing for the enslaved. John Fox owned fifty-two enslaved workers in 1860 with around fifteen, mostly children, working at the house that’s now a part of the museum. These structures demonstrate what life was like for the enslaved in Lexington County in the antebellum period. |
Other structures on the museum’s grounds include outbuildings that would have been associated with a large farm or plantation, including a privy, smokehouse, chicken coop, potato house, and a rare octagonal pigeon house. These structures help tell the story of daily life in the county in the 19th century. The museum also owns the ca. 1771 |
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Laurance Corley Log Cabin, the oldest documented building in the Town of Lexington, two other colonial structures, the ca. 1800 Leaphart/Harman House, a historic one-room schoolhouse, and the ca. 1834 Ernest Hazelius House. The Hazelius House was residence of the Southern Lutheran Seminary’s professor while it was in Lexington from 1834 until 1855.
To further help tell the story of Lexington County, the museum has an artifact collection that features items made and used here in Lexington County. The museum has a large collection of locally-made stoneware pottery, furniture made by local artisans in the 18th and 19th centuries, and several rifles made by Hall and Quattlebaum families.
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The Museum serves as an invaluable educational tool by promoting the county's history and attracting school groups.The Museum offers thirteen different tours to school groups for free led by interpreters. These programs are interactive and allow children to learn by doing. Each tour focuses on a different aspect of history in Lexington County and fits perfectly into SC’s educational standards.
Besides school tours, the Lexington County Museum hosts many events throughout the year including a Christmas Open House, a Family Day, the Haunted History program, and Murders and Mysteries tours. The Murders and Mysteries tours focus on some of the crimes and other hidden histories that happened around the county. Visit our website or Facebook page to find out more about these events including dates and times.
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Discounted magazine subscription offered to our cusotmers! |
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Youtube Video Channel Launched!
We ave very excited and proud to be launching our Youtube channel, and will be adding to it on a regular basis. We will be featuring not only our products, but also informational pieces of historical interest. Our channel is available here NJ Sekela Youtube Channel
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We have been playing catch up for the past few months, but have been adding a few extra items to our small run, with the intention of building stock. Our entire ebay store represents the best selling instock items, and is guaranteed to ship in 48 hours. We will also continue to announce items on Facebook as they come to hand.
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Brian Shupe got into the world of reenacting around the age of 10 in 1995, and was given the job of Color Sgt, as he grew up he and his Dad, Gary would be involved with a few different groups until finding the living history side of the hobby. It was here that he would begin his first 1st person portrayal of Capt. William Montgomery Forrest, son of Nathan Bedford Forrest. Brian continued to research other figures in history and buried himself in the history of people such as John Hunt Morgan and Robert Gould Shaw. It was during this time that he started going back into the more mock battle situations and went back to his roots of being a Private relearning the drill and exploring the “Campaigner” aspects of reenacting. Brian would be promoted to 1st Sgt of his unit, which saw the coming and going of members until only a few remained. Within the past few years younger members of the group expressed interest in experiencing more authentic portrayals. Him and other members started rounding out their kits, making upgrades to better quality items or replacing worn out items, and are currently focusing on their federal impressions. “We are turning our attention to authenticity up, and everyone has been enjoying the change and finding a new appreciation for the hobby, while myself it has reinvigorated me.”
He is looking forward to his continued education of the public while striving to create an even more authentic experience for all. Both Brian and fellow group member Brook Kovalcik
have recently increased their study of the Pittsburgh region during the Civil
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War, and are currently working on a proposal to place markers where forts were thrown up for the defense of Pittsburgh in 1863. Brian has alsobeen slowly acquiring original weapons of the period weapons and looks forward to sharing their history with those he meets. He is currently a founding member of the Blue and Gray Brigade, and this past year has joined Mess No.1 and is looking forward to events with both groups. |
Musket & Canteen slings
in stock!
As we continue to build stock, we have a selection of leather goods on hand for immediate shipment. All ebay items are guaranteed shipment in 48 hours!
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The Battlefield Trust is the leading organization whose sole purpose is the preservation of historic battlefield sites. More than ever before, we would urge everyone to donate, and to take a few moments to stay current |
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NJ Sekela
1425 Chambersburg Road
Gettysburg PA 17325
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NJ Sekela produces authentic historical reproduction items using custom made materials and by providing the best customer experience By using these ideas we will bring to the consumer products that are not currently equaled in the marketplace and bear high fidelity to the originals |
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