History collection is personal

 

Linda Burgess has learned much about the history of her great-great-grandfathers, as well as those from Guthrie County who served in the Civil War.

By Rich Wicks | Panora Times

Linda Burgess of Panora enjoys collecting, especially items related to local or family history. This meshes well with her antique store, Reborn, in downtown Panora. As Burgess goes out “picking” for items to sell in her store, she also finds items she wants to have for herself.

“I’ve always been interested in the Civil War period,” Burgess said.

She explained that two great-great-grandfathers fought in the Civil War, and she is lucky enough to have historical mementos from each of them. The items in Burgess’ collection are not necessarily the types of items that would be highly valued dollarwise, but they are meaningful to her. Some items are replicas, but they still show images or history from the Civil War era. 

 “It’s pretty hard to get authentic Civil War stuff,” Burgess said.

Burgess also said she sometimes finds an item she wants, but the price is too steep. 

The most impressive items in her collection are of a personal nature. She showed two letters written by her great-great-grandfather while he fought in the Civil War, as well as a photograph of him. The letters were mailed back to his family and tell of his daily routines and challenges. Even after 160 years, the letters are legible, and she plans to transcribe them so the content won’t be lost if/when the ink fades beyond recognition. 

Burgess shared that she found a book of letters titled “Soldier Boy” that helped her fill in some of the blanks about her great-great-grandfather’s time in the war.

“That soldier that those letters are from was in the same regiment as my great-great-grandfather,” Burgess said. “They took all of his letters and put them in book form. When I read the book, then I got a picture, as they traveled together. They went in together in Council Bluffs. They discharged together, so it gave me a total insight into what my great-great-grandfather did.”

Burgess has also found replica items that are similar to what her ancestors would have worn or used in the war. She also has vintage eyeglasses and a hat from the Civil War era similar to those worn by President Lincoln, as well as items created years later in homage to Lincoln.

Burgess showed the discharge letter from when her other great-great-grandfather was sent home from fighting in the Civil War in January 1865. 

Through her collecting and research, Burgess has learned much of the history of those from Guthrie County who served in the Civil War. She knows much of American history and Lincoln’s history, too.

Asked if there’s a particular item she would love to find someday, Burgess had a ready answer.

“Maybe someday I’ll actually get an Abraham Lincoln autograph,” she said.