Bobby Lee
@bobbylee.bsky.social
Historian of the United States, mostly 19th c., colonialism, land, GIS
Pinned
Bobby Lee
@bobbylee.bsky.social
· Jun 12
Justice for the Edifice: Praying Compensation for Rhode Island College, 1770–1800
In 1770, Rhode Island College, now Brown University, erected the biggest building in Providence. Donations tied to the slave trade funded the College Edifice, now University Hall. Some donors grew ric...
direct.mit.edu
My latest article just published and is open access, for now at least.
It’s about how Brown got reparations for property made by slaves after the American Revolution. 🗃️
direct.mit.edu/tneq/article...
It’s about how Brown got reparations for property made by slaves after the American Revolution. 🗃️
direct.mit.edu/tneq/article...
They didn’t even cancel elections during the Civil War. Just keep mentioning it whenever. Just bring it up. They kept holding elections during the Civil War, for president, for Congress, for everything.
January 24, 2026 at 5:10 PM
They didn’t even cancel elections during the Civil War. Just keep mentioning it whenever. Just bring it up. They kept holding elections during the Civil War, for president, for Congress, for everything.
Another TACO moment incoming
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trump threatens Canada with 100% tariff over China trade talks - BBC News
Trump made the threat in a social media post as tensions rise between the US and its northern neighbour.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 24, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Another TACO moment incoming
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Me: You know those flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp.
10 yr old: No, they’re pink because of beta carotene in their food, which includes shrimp and crabs. Boom!
10 yr old: No, they’re pink because of beta carotene in their food, which includes shrimp and crabs. Boom!
January 24, 2026 at 3:17 PM
Me: You know those flamingos are pink because they eat shrimp.
10 yr old: No, they’re pink because of beta carotene in their food, which includes shrimp and crabs. Boom!
10 yr old: No, they’re pink because of beta carotene in their food, which includes shrimp and crabs. Boom!
Reposted by Bobby Lee
Very excited to learn from scholars joining us for this special NEQ gathering @mhs1791.bsky.social, please share and apply! 🗃️
Upcoming deadline (1/31): submit your proposals for 2026 New England Quarterly symposium on Environmental Histories of New England, 1600-2025. #envhist #newengland #cfp
NEQ Events and Calls for Papers
Environmental Histories of New England, 1600-2025 Friday, September 18, 2026 Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston Street, Boston, MA New England is a region defined by its landscape, its…
newenglandquarterly.org
January 23, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Very excited to learn from scholars joining us for this special NEQ gathering @mhs1791.bsky.social, please share and apply! 🗃️
Some backstory on the site of the Whipple Building at the center of ICE activity in Minnesota
ictnews.org/news/former-...
ictnews.org/news/former-...
Former Native American concentration camp lies beneath current immigration detention center - ICT
Fort Snelling, the site of a Dakota War era concentration camp, is once again being used to detain Indigenous people
ictnews.org
January 24, 2026 at 12:47 PM
Some backstory on the site of the Whipple Building at the center of ICE activity in Minnesota
ictnews.org/news/former-...
ictnews.org/news/former-...
Reposted by Bobby Lee
Today is the anniversary of the start of the California Gold Rush back in 1848, so why not check out an article from our online archives, which explores the development of race relations during this crucial turning point in California's history?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
Hinton Rowan Helper's the land of gold and the evolution of race relations in California
The California Gold Rush of the mid‐nineteenth century attracted a multitude of prospectors from around the world, bringing together a vibrant mix of ethnicities and cultures. Historians have argue...
www.tandfonline.com
January 24, 2026 at 8:51 AM
Today is the anniversary of the start of the California Gold Rush back in 1848, so why not check out an article from our online archives, which explores the development of race relations during this crucial turning point in California's history?
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1...
They must know deep down this is not gonna work
pen.org/press-releas...
pen.org/press-releas...
Removal of Signs on Slavery at National Historic Site is “Blatant Erasure” of History
PEN America today condemned the ongoing removal of signs at national parks and historic sites by the Trump administration, the latest in Philadelphia about the connection between the founders and slav...
pen.org
January 23, 2026 at 7:25 PM
They must know deep down this is not gonna work
pen.org/press-releas...
pen.org/press-releas...
Reposted by Bobby Lee
“The humanities are essential to a healthy, multicultural democracy... At a moment when human inquiry and cultural expression are increasingly devalued, we are proud to support organizations that keep this work vibrant and accessible for all.” bit.ly/4bMPd7J
MacArthur Awards $10 Million to Strengthen the Humanities
bit.ly
January 23, 2026 at 4:56 PM
“The humanities are essential to a healthy, multicultural democracy... At a moment when human inquiry and cultural expression are increasingly devalued, we are proud to support organizations that keep this work vibrant and accessible for all.” bit.ly/4bMPd7J
Reposted by Bobby Lee
Interested in the history of enslaved people, Black history, and George Washington?
Download this report, which is still on the NPS site (for now).
My research team spent 3 years collaborating with descendants of people enslaved at the Washington's Headquarters site and the wonderful NPS staff:
Download this report, which is still on the NPS site (for now).
My research team spent 3 years collaborating with descendants of people enslaved at the Washington's Headquarters site and the wonderful NPS staff:
Black History at the Vassall Estate Special History Study (U.S. National Park Service)
www.nps.gov
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Interested in the history of enslaved people, Black history, and George Washington?
Download this report, which is still on the NPS site (for now).
My research team spent 3 years collaborating with descendants of people enslaved at the Washington's Headquarters site and the wonderful NPS staff:
Download this report, which is still on the NPS site (for now).
My research team spent 3 years collaborating with descendants of people enslaved at the Washington's Headquarters site and the wonderful NPS staff:
Honestly jealous of those stuck in blizzards. Haven’t seen a big snow in years
January 23, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Honestly jealous of those stuck in blizzards. Haven’t seen a big snow in years
‘the grants to FEHE, the University of Texas and the University of North Carolina, “were noncompetitive, meaning the recipients were selected to apply.”’
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
New Humanities Grants Take A Sharp Right Turn Under Trump
The National Endowment for the Humanities has awarded $75.1 million in grants, with much of the money going to conservative projects and Trump administration priorities.
www.forbes.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:27 PM
‘the grants to FEHE, the University of Texas and the University of North Carolina, “were noncompetitive, meaning the recipients were selected to apply.”’
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
Nice to see this best picture nomination
www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...
www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...
This movie filmed in WA gets 4 Oscar nominations
When Academy Award nominations were announced Thursday morning, there was a luminous Washington state-shot film among the nominees.
www.seattletimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Nice to see this best picture nomination
www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...
www.seattletimes.com/entertainmen...
The history of US imperialism is filled with blustering failures that don't get much attention.
Here's Thomas Hutchins, the first (and only) Geographer of the United States, talking about how the newly independent US would easily take all of North America back in 1784
Here's Thomas Hutchins, the first (and only) Geographer of the United States, talking about how the newly independent US would easily take all of North America back in 1784
January 23, 2026 at 3:58 PM
The history of US imperialism is filled with blustering failures that don't get much attention.
Here's Thomas Hutchins, the first (and only) Geographer of the United States, talking about how the newly independent US would easily take all of North America back in 1784
Here's Thomas Hutchins, the first (and only) Geographer of the United States, talking about how the newly independent US would easily take all of North America back in 1784
Reposted by Bobby Lee
I'm glad to see some in-depth understanding of labor law and the kind of organizing and broad support it takes to defy it finally emerging in this discussion (I'd add, government workers are often prohibited from ever striking). It makes it very clear how significant the strike tomorrow will be.
For any unions participating, this is unequivocally 100% an illegal strike.
Generally speaking, formal job action by unions is prohibited while a contract is in effect - strikes are only allowed once a contract expires (unfair labour practice strikes exist too but I'm trying to keep this simple)
Generally speaking, formal job action by unions is prohibited while a contract is in effect - strikes are only allowed once a contract expires (unfair labour practice strikes exist too but I'm trying to keep this simple)
January 23, 2026 at 12:26 AM
I'm glad to see some in-depth understanding of labor law and the kind of organizing and broad support it takes to defy it finally emerging in this discussion (I'd add, government workers are often prohibited from ever striking). It makes it very clear how significant the strike tomorrow will be.
Think these are ever coming back?
January 22, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Think these are ever coming back?
Nothing more American than selling documents of significant public interest for top dollar, so private buyers can cloister them away
press.christies.com/we-the-peopl...
press.christies.com/we-the-peopl...
We the People: America at 250Special live auction of singular and historic objects to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence – Live auction Jan. 23, 2026The American Collec...
NEW YORK – Hundreds of rare treasures including foundational American documents from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, will be offered at Christie’s New York in January in two sales that mark the 25...
press.christies.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Nothing more American than selling documents of significant public interest for top dollar, so private buyers can cloister them away
press.christies.com/we-the-peopl...
press.christies.com/we-the-peopl...
Reposted by Bobby Lee
PhD funding for early career historians completing a doctorate.
Applications are invited for the Society's Centenary PhD Fellowships for the academic year 2026-27 bit.ly/49MzqmT.
Two awards of £8500 per student, held jointly with @ihr.bsky.social. Closing date: 31 January 2026 #Skystorians
Applications are invited for the Society's Centenary PhD Fellowships for the academic year 2026-27 bit.ly/49MzqmT.
Two awards of £8500 per student, held jointly with @ihr.bsky.social. Closing date: 31 January 2026 #Skystorians
January 22, 2026 at 8:47 AM
PhD funding for early career historians completing a doctorate.
Applications are invited for the Society's Centenary PhD Fellowships for the academic year 2026-27 bit.ly/49MzqmT.
Two awards of £8500 per student, held jointly with @ihr.bsky.social. Closing date: 31 January 2026 #Skystorians
Applications are invited for the Society's Centenary PhD Fellowships for the academic year 2026-27 bit.ly/49MzqmT.
Two awards of £8500 per student, held jointly with @ihr.bsky.social. Closing date: 31 January 2026 #Skystorians
This line from trump’s davos speech is especially maddening - he’s straight up saying decolonization was a mistake
January 22, 2026 at 5:42 PM
This line from trump’s davos speech is especially maddening - he’s straight up saying decolonization was a mistake
Reposted by Bobby Lee
January 22, 2026 at 1:58 AM
All the minor villains getting sprung to wreak havoc on Gotham
www.reuters.com/world/theran...
www.reuters.com/world/theran...
Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes asks Trump to commute her prison sentence
Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of now-defunct blood testing startup Theranos, has asked U.S. President Donald Trump to release her from prison with nearly six years left before she is eligible for rele...
www.reuters.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:59 PM
All the minor villains getting sprung to wreak havoc on Gotham
www.reuters.com/world/theran...
www.reuters.com/world/theran...
In a couple of days he’ll be claiming he single-handedly ended the war with Greenland and deserves a peace prize
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Trump Drops Tariff Threat After ‘Framework’ Greenland Deal
President Donald Trump said he would refrain from imposing tariffs on goods from European nations opposing his effort to take possession of Greenland, citing a “framework of a future deal” he said was...
www.bloomberg.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:57 AM
In a couple of days he’ll be claiming he single-handedly ended the war with Greenland and deserves a peace prize
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘The road to emancipation started, in the early 1860s, with an “experiment” in the District of Columbia. Would white enslavers be more supportive of ending slavery if they knew they would receive cash compensation for each enslaved person the law set free?’
www.marketplace.org/story/2026/0...
www.marketplace.org/story/2026/0...
Dorothy Brown's "Getting to Reparations" focuses on precedent and history
In her new book, "Getting to Reparations: How Building a Different America Requires a Reckoning with Our Past,” Dorothy Brown shares how she went from a skeptic to a believer in the cause.
www.marketplace.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:53 PM
‘The road to emancipation started, in the early 1860s, with an “experiment” in the District of Columbia. Would white enslavers be more supportive of ending slavery if they knew they would receive cash compensation for each enslaved person the law set free?’
www.marketplace.org/story/2026/0...
www.marketplace.org/story/2026/0...