Meg Mackintosh Solves Seven American History Mysteries by Lucinda Landon

Getting Started

    â€œListen to this, Meg and Peter,” their grandfather read from the newspaper. “On this day in history, June 16th, the following historic events occurred.”
    1673
Governor’s Island, off Manhattan, bought for 2 axes, some beads and nails.
1755
George Washington became the General of the American Army.
1845
Texas Congress agreed to annexation by the USA.
1858
Abraham Lincoln accepted the presidential nomination.
1897
Alaskan gold rush began.
    â€œWhat?” Peter looked up and lifted his headphones from his ears.
    â€œSorry, Gramps, I was listening to something else.”
    Gramps sighed, “I was reading about history.”
    â€œOh, you mean ancient times, before television,” Peter replied.
    â€œEven before that,” Meg rolled her eyes.
    â€œI know what history is,” Peter defended himself. “It’s memorizing dates and explorers and stuff.”

    â€œIt’s more than that,” Gramps explained. “It’s learning about real people and how they lived — their beliefs, government, and economy. By studying history we can see how our ancestors handled different situations. Understanding history also helps us to think about how we should handle modern day situations.”
    â€œThink about our old house — all the families who lived here before us,” said Meg. “It’s pretty amazing.”
    â€œPretty spooky actually. Didn’t a Civil War soldier live here?” Peter asked, putting down his magazine. “I think his ghost still lives in the attic.”

    â€œHe was a Revolutionary War soldier. Remember, we found his grave in the cemetery? I don’t know about his ghost,” Meg replied.
    â€œRevolutionary War. Civil War. What difference does it make?” said Peter.
    â€œThere’s a big difference,” Gramps said, a bit exasperated. “Each event in history teaches us when good decisions were made and the prices humankind has paid for past mistakes,” Gramps explained. “And it so happens that something arrived recently from an old friend of mine. I’m hoping that it will inspire you to learn more about history. It’s rather curious.”

    â€œI love curious things,” exclaimed Meg. “What is it?”
    â€œIt’s in the hall closet,” Gramps pointed. “The two of you will have to drag it in here.”
    Meg and Peter jumped up, raced into the hall and returned, pushing a large old chest.
    â€œIt’s from the Department of History at the University,” Meg read the tag.
    â€œAnd it’s locked,” said Peter.
    â€œAnd I have the key,” grinned Gramps. “And a letter that came with it.”
    â€œWell, let’s have it, please!” they chimed eagerly.

    Gramps handed over the key, and while Meg and Peter struggled with the old lock, he read the letter aloud:

    â€œWow! I’d really love to solve these cases and return all the artifacts,” said Meg.
    â€œIt sounds pretty tricky,” said Peter. “Let’s see what’s in the chest.”
    â€œWhat is all this stuff?” Peter asked as he carefully lifted the old artifacts from the chest.

    Can you identify any of these objects?

    â€œHere’s a stack of paper cards with names on them. They must be the children in history.” Meg blew off the dust and read:

    â€œHmmm, interesting names,” murmured Meg.
    â€œBut how do we know which artifact goes with which child?”
    â€œAnd where in the United States does each one belong?” said Peter.
    What else might you need to begin solving the cases?

    â€œIs there a map or a list of places to go?” asked Peter.
    â€œHold on, Peter, there are more papers in the trunk.” Meg pulled out seven envelopes. “Each one is labeled with a mystery title and place. These must be Professor Brown’s clues to get us started.”

    â€œAnd look,” said Meg, pulling out a