Process Paper
This was a team project between Victor McCormick and Matthew Durelli. Our first step was to chose a topic on something that occurred in Florida based on a list provided to us by our teacher. We were both interested in learning more about the fortune of Henry Flagler and how he used his money from Standard Oil to develop Florida, including the construction of the East Coast Railroad and numerous elegant hotels.
Next, we conducted our research. We started with an initial search on the internet to learn some basic facts. Then we spent time at the library. We coordinated with the research librarian to select books about Henry Flagler, the railroad system he built, and how he changed Florida. We made notes on the information in the books we read. After analyzing this information, we created our thesis. We also wanted to look for primary sources. We found online a historic magazine article from 1910 that included a description of the journey along the entire East Coast Railroad, stays at the hotels along the way in St. Augustine, Ormand Beach, West Palm and Miami as well as interviews with Flagler's employees and Mr. Flagler himself. During our internet research, we discovered that Mr. Flagler's home in Palm Beach is now a museum open to the public. We took the opportunity to visit this magnificent museum to learn first hand how finely he lived. This was the most fascinating primary resource and a great example of the Gilded Age.
We decided on creating a website because we wanted something challenging for us to do and also so we could learn some new things on the computer and how to create a web site. How we created that project was by trial and error. This was our first time doing this and we did our best on putting everything together and making sure it flowed smoothly.
As we went through the process of completing our History Fair project, we learned that Henry Morrison Flagler's interest in developing Florida between 1885 until his death in 1913, was a huge turning point in the history of this state. What started as a vacation visit to St. Augustine advised by the doctor of his sick wife, turned into a legacy of change. Mr. Flagler single-handedly opened the door for growth within the state by constructing the railroad system, his chain of hotels and improving the infrastructure. He generously provided churches, schools, plumbing and electricity in many towns along the railroad's route. He modernized this last frontier along the East Coast of the United States funding all of his projects from his own fortune. In his own words "If it wasn't for Florida, I would be a rich man to-day (sic)". We learned that he was a very good man at heart. According to what we read, his goal in developing Florida was not to make money but to create new job opportunities. He said," I have come to the conclusion the best way to help others is to help them to help themselves." So we were able to see how he changed history and were able to put it on a website.
This was a team project between Victor McCormick and Matthew Durelli. Our first step was to chose a topic on something that occurred in Florida based on a list provided to us by our teacher. We were both interested in learning more about the fortune of Henry Flagler and how he used his money from Standard Oil to develop Florida, including the construction of the East Coast Railroad and numerous elegant hotels.
Next, we conducted our research. We started with an initial search on the internet to learn some basic facts. Then we spent time at the library. We coordinated with the research librarian to select books about Henry Flagler, the railroad system he built, and how he changed Florida. We made notes on the information in the books we read. After analyzing this information, we created our thesis. We also wanted to look for primary sources. We found online a historic magazine article from 1910 that included a description of the journey along the entire East Coast Railroad, stays at the hotels along the way in St. Augustine, Ormand Beach, West Palm and Miami as well as interviews with Flagler's employees and Mr. Flagler himself. During our internet research, we discovered that Mr. Flagler's home in Palm Beach is now a museum open to the public. We took the opportunity to visit this magnificent museum to learn first hand how finely he lived. This was the most fascinating primary resource and a great example of the Gilded Age.
We decided on creating a website because we wanted something challenging for us to do and also so we could learn some new things on the computer and how to create a web site. How we created that project was by trial and error. This was our first time doing this and we did our best on putting everything together and making sure it flowed smoothly.
As we went through the process of completing our History Fair project, we learned that Henry Morrison Flagler's interest in developing Florida between 1885 until his death in 1913, was a huge turning point in the history of this state. What started as a vacation visit to St. Augustine advised by the doctor of his sick wife, turned into a legacy of change. Mr. Flagler single-handedly opened the door for growth within the state by constructing the railroad system, his chain of hotels and improving the infrastructure. He generously provided churches, schools, plumbing and electricity in many towns along the railroad's route. He modernized this last frontier along the East Coast of the United States funding all of his projects from his own fortune. In his own words "If it wasn't for Florida, I would be a rich man to-day (sic)". We learned that he was a very good man at heart. According to what we read, his goal in developing Florida was not to make money but to create new job opportunities. He said," I have come to the conclusion the best way to help others is to help them to help themselves." So we were able to see how he changed history and were able to put it on a website.