Historic time period: 1870–1900
Life on the Water
For hundreds of years, seacoasts, rivers, lakes, and canals have had a big impact on the ways America has changed as a country. Even Americans who have never seen an ocean are still very connected to water. Eating fish for dinner, playing at the beach, ordering goods made overseas, and other water-related activities continue to play an important role in our lives.
The National Museum of American History has a wide variety of maritime objects, from cruise ship furniture to lighthouse lenses and ship models to the trunks brought to American from Europe. For more information, explore the On the Water online exhibition.
Keep the Lighthouse Burning, Abbie tells the story of a teenage girl who becomes a hero by running her father’s lighthouse during a storm. Abbie’s adventure brings details of maritime history to life from the perspective of a young person. You can learn more about the lighthouses and life on the water by reading Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie and by checking out some of the related activities.
Read This Book
You can learn more about what it was like to live in a lighthouse by exploring these books.
More Recommended Books
- The Stormy Adventures of Abbie Burgess, Lighthouse Keeper by Peter Roop, Connie Roop, and Amanda Doering Tourville
- Lightship by Brian Floca
- Joey Goes to Sea by Alan Villiers
- Abbie Against the Storm by Marcia Vaughan
- Thar She Blows! by Sue Kassirer
Featured Book
Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie
by Peter and Connie Roop
“Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie” by Peter and Connie Roop and illustrated by Peter E. Hanson. Illustrations copyright (c) 1985 by Carolrhoda Books. Reprinted with the permission of Carolrhoda Books, a division of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. All rights reserved.No part of this excerpt may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Recommended Book
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Read Keep the Lights Burning, Abbie
Meet Abbie Burgess, the young heroine who runs her family’s lighthouse during a fierce storm. Make reading together even more exciting by using our easy strategies.
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Activities
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The Water Nearby
Use Technology
Fly through the sky with Google Earth to get a bird’s eye view of the water near you.
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Down at the Shore
Take a Trip
Explore a maritime site near you, using our helpful tip sheets!
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Maritime Munchies
Play and Create
What is hardtack and what does it taste like? Put on your chef’s hat and try some historical recipes.
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Lenses and Lighthouses
Learn From Objects
Find out more about how lighthouses work and draw your own invention using special lighthouse technology.
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