Tricia Martineau Wagner, Author at

Independent Historian

Tricia Martineau Wagner is a North Carolina author and hands-on living history presenter. She is an experienced elementary teacher, reading specialist, and independent historian. Her four non-fiction books are: It Happened on the Underground Railroad (2007; 2nd edition 2015), Black Cowboys of the Old West (2011), African American Women of the Old West (2007), and It Happened on the Oregon Trail (2004; 2nd edition 2014). Ms. Wagner is a well-versed and entertaining speaker who brings history to life. She enjoys conducting presentations for schools around the country in grades 2 – 8 on: the Underground Railroad, Black Cowboys of the Old West, African American Women of the Old West, and the history of the Oregon Trail. She has spoken at the 4th Annual Black History Conference in Seattle, Washington sponsored by the Association for African American Historical Research and Preservation (AAAHRP), Presentation title: “Rewriting American History: The Untold Story of the Contributions & Achievements of African American Citizens.” Ms. Wagner also spoke at the Western Heritage Symposium for the National Day of the American Cowboy, Arlington Texas, (National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum in association with University of Texas at Arlington), Presentation title: “America’s New Vision of the Old West: Black Cowboys & Black Women Who Reformed and Refined Society.”

Augustus Jackson (1808-1852)

Ice cream innovator Augustus Jackson was born on April 16, 1808, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began working at the White House in Washington D.C. when he was just nine years old and worked as a chef there for twenty years, from 1817 until 1837. Jackson … Read MoreAugustus Jackson (1808-1852)

Augustus Jackson (1808-1852) [Children’s Edition]

Who are they: Augustus Jackson worked as a chef in the White House in Washington D.C. He is known for making ice cream. Augustus created many new and popular ice cream flavors. Why are they important to know about: Augustus Jackson invented a better way … Read MoreAugustus Jackson (1808-1852) [Children’s Edition]

Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921

This entry is for juvenile audiences. To see the full version of this entry, click here. What happened: A confrontation between Black and white people broke out in 1921 in Tulsa, Oklahoma which led to the Tulsa Massacre. The Black neighborhood called Greenwood, or “Black … Read More

Tulsa and Black Wall Street

This entry is for juvenile audiences. To see the full version of this entry, click here. What happened: Black Wall Street became one of the wealthiest black communities in America. Greenwood was a neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In the early 1900s, Booker T. Washington visited … Read More

Walter Dean Myers (1937-2014)

Walter Dean Myers was a critically acclaimed African American children’s author of award-winning fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. He was a tireless advocate of literacy and education who also promoted diversity in children’s literature. The New York Times best-selling author is best known for authentically portraying … Read MoreWalter Dean Myers (1937-2014)

Jesse Stahl (ca. 1879-1935)

African American cowboy and rodeo rider Jesse Stahl set the standard of performance in saddle bronc riding that continues to this day. Stahl was a topnotch horseman, a first-class gentleman, and a cowboy who was regarded by many who saw his performances as larger than … Read MoreJesse Stahl (ca. 1879-1935)

Robert Lemmons (1848–1947)

Texas cowboy Robert Lemmons was one of the greatest mustangers of all time. He became a legend in his day by perfecting his unique method of catching wild mustang horses. Robert Lemmons was born a slave in Lockport, Caldwell County, Texas in 1848. He moved … Read MoreRobert Lemmons (1848–1947)

Charley Willis (1847-1930)

African American cowboy Charley Willis was recognized as a singing cowboy who authored the popular trail song, “Goodbye Old Paint.” Willis was a skilled cowhand who not only sang songs from the trail but who contributed to preserving authentic cowboy music from the era. Charley … Read MoreCharley Willis (1847-1930)

Jim Perry (1858-1918)

Jim Perry was an African American cowboy and top hand, the highest-ranked cowboy, on the three million-acre XIT Ranch near Dalhart, Texas. Perry established himself as an expert roper, rider, bronc buster, cook and musician. Perry was born on February 2, 1858, in Texas. Very … Read MoreJim Perry (1858-1918)

Lydia Flood Jackson (1862-1963)

Lydia Flood Jackson was a champion of women’s rights and suffrage in California for African American women and other people of color. The outspoken activist was the first black student to attend an integrated public school in Oakland, California. Flood’s mother, Elizabeth Thorn Scott Flood, … Read MoreLydia Flood Jackson (1862-1963)