Evelyn Roth’s alarm clock buzzed insistently, the digital display reading 6:30 AM. She groaned and stretched her arm out from beneath her warm blankets, reaching for the snooze button. Her fingers brushed the cool plastic, and she tapped it lightly, granting herself a few extra minutes of sleep. Evelyn had always been a night owl, staying up late reading or researching, which made mornings a struggle.

When the alarm sounded again, she reluctantly pushed the covers aside, revealing her cozy bedroom. The walls were a soft, buttery yellow, adorned with framed pictures of her family, friends and favorite paintings. A sturdy oak dresser stood against one wall, housing her neatly folded clothing, and an antique mirror hung above it, reflecting the room’s comforting ambiance.

Evelyn swung her legs out of bed and rose, her bare feet touching the plush cream-colored carpet. She reached for her robe, a soft, dark green fleece garment that hung on a hook beside the bed, wrapping it around herself as she walked to the window. She pushed the curtains aside and gazed out at the quiet suburban streets of Silver Spring, Maryland. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a warm, golden glow over the well-kept lawns and tidy houses near Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park. It was a view that never failed to bring her a sense of peace.

After a few moments, she turned away from the window and walked softly and quietly to the bathroom. The small, bright space was filled with the scent of lavender from a vase of fresh flowers she kept on the counter. She went through her morning routine, brushing her teeth, washing her face and running a comb through her auburn hair. Her reflection in the mirror revealed her delicate, freckled face and those striking green eyes, which seemed to hold a lifetime of stories.

Evelyn then made her way to her closet, rifling through her collection of work-appropriate attire. She selected a crisp white blouse, a navy-blue pencil skirt, and a matching blazer. She enjoyed looking professional and put-together at work, as it gave her a sense of confidence and authority. Once dressed, she added a pair of comfortable black flats, knowing she would be on her feet for much of the day.

In the kitchen, she prepared a simple breakfast of toast with a thin layer of strawberry jam and a steaming mug of black coffee. As she ate, she flipped through a well-worn copy of a historical journal that she had been reading on and off for the past few weeks. It was one of her many habits, consuming historical literature, even during her leisure time. It helped her stay sharp and informed, while also serving as a reminder of her family’s unique past.

With her breakfast finished, Evelyn grabbed her work bag, which contained her laptop, several notebooks, and an assortment of pens, and headed for the door. She locked her apartment and descended the stairs, making her way to the small parking lot where her modest, reliable 2011 Toyota Corolla awaited. As she drove southbound on 16th Street NW, she listened to an audiobook on European history, immersing herself in the stories of kings and queens, battles and betrayals, that had shaped the world in which she now lived.

The drive to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History took around forty minutes, a commute she had become well-acquainted with. She enjoyed the time it allowed her to think, to mull over the stories she was researching, and to mentally prepare for the day ahead. As she neared the museum, the nation’s capital’s streets came alive with the bustle of people heading to work or school, their faces intent and focused.

Evelyn pulled into the museum’s parking lot and found a space near the back. As she walked toward the grand entrance, she admired the imposing structure with its pillars and intricate stonework. It never failed to inspire a sense of awe. The museum, with its vast collection of artifacts and knowledge, felt like a second home to her.

With a sense of purpose in her step, Evelyn entered the impressive building and navigated the familiar halls to her office, with the nameplate “Evelyn Roth, Historian” on the door. The small but comfortable room was filled with books, papers and mementos from her various research projects. The walls were lined with shelves overflowing with historical texts, and a large, cluttered desk took up most of the space. A corkboard on one wall displayed photographs, newspaper clippings and notes related to her current research.

Evelyn had committed the description of her work to memory, from the text in her job description: “Contribute to expanding humanity’s understanding of the past and add depth to historical narratives.” When she first read that line during the interview process, she knew the position would fulfill her professional dream: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” She knew that quote has often been attributed to Chinese philosopher Confucius, thanks to her constant curiosity and love of understanding the past.

As she settled in, her coworker and good friend, Susan XXXXXX, popped her head into the office.

“Good morning, Evelyn! How’s it going?” she asked, her tone friendly and warm.

Evelyn looked up from her desk, where she had just begun to organize her notes for the day.

“Can’t complain,” she replied, with the word “can’t” sounding like “kent,” revealing her hint of an Austrian-German accent. “I have a mountain of work to get through, but that’s nothing new.”

“Hey, a few of us are heading out for lunch today,” Susan said, leaning against the door frame with her brown hair pulled back in a ponytail and her glasses perched on her nose. “You want to come with?”

Evelyn considered the invitation, torn between her desire to socialize and her need to make progress on her research. She knew that maintaining a balance between work and personal life was essential, and she hadn’t spent much time with her colleagues recently.

“Yeah, that sounds like fun,” she said. “Where are you guys going?”

“There’s a new café down the street that’s supposed to have amazing sandwiches,” Susan replied, excitedly, her eyes lighting up at the thought of food. “Join us!”

“Great! I’ll join you then,” Evelyn said, smiling genuinely. “Thanks for the invitation.”

With the lunch plans settled, Evelyn delved into her work. She spent the morning reviewing documents and photographs, her mind focused on the stories they told and the connections they revealed. It was painstaking work as always, but she found it deeply satisfying, knowing that she was uncovering hidden truths and expanding humanity’s understanding of its past.

Today her focus was a project about the American Civil War, aiming to uncover the lesser-known stories of ordinary people whose lives were profoundly affected by the conflict.

Her objective was to gather information about the experiences of women and African Americans during the war, adding depth and nuance to the broader historical narrative. To do this, she consulted a variety of resources, including primary sources like letters and diaries, as well as secondary sources such as books and academic articles.

Evelyn started by exploring the museum’s vast collection of books on American history, pulling several volumes from the shelves and skimming through them to find the relevant sections. She took meticulous notes while she read, jotting down important dates, names and personal accounts in a leather-bound notebook she always kept with her.

She then moved on to the museum’s archives, where she donned a pair of white gloves to carefully handle the fragile primary source materials. She examined personal letters and diaries written by women and African Americans of the time, piecing together a tapestry of individual experiences that illuminated the human side of the war.

As she worked, Evelyn occasionally consulted the museum’s digital database, using her computer to access scanned images of newspapers and other historical documents from the period. She was grateful for the technology that made such a wealth of information easily accessible, allowing her to cross-reference her findings and expand her understanding.

As Evelyn continued her research, she decided to consult her colleague, Dr. Henry Mitchell, a researcher specializing in American military history. His role: to shed light on the broader context of historical events, considering political, military, social and economic factors, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the history being researched and presented at the museum.

She walked down the hall and knocked gently on his office door.

“Come in,” Dr. Mitchell called out, his voice muffled by the stacks of books and documents that lined the walls of his office.

“Hi, Henry,” Evelyn responded, stepping inside. “I was hoping to pick your brain for a moment. I’m working on a project about the experiences of women and African Americans during the Civil War, and I thought you might have some insights about the motivations of the different factions involved.”

“Ah, Evelyn, always looking for the human side of history,” Dr. Mitchell said with a warm smile. “I think it’s important to remember that the Civil War was not just about the political and military issues of the time, but also about deeply ingrained social and economic factors.”

“You’re right,” Evelyn agreed, taking a seat across from him. “Could you tell me more about the strategies and motivations of the various factions? I want to understand how the decisions they made impacted the lives of ordinary people.”

“Well, the Union was primarily fighting to preserve the United States as a single, unified nation,” Dr. Mitchell began, leaning back in his chair, knowing that U.S. immigrant Evelyn might not understand the details to the extent that most people born and raised in the U.S. would. “They wanted to put an end to the secession movement and bring the Southern states back into the fold. Of course, the issue of slavery was central to the conflict, but it’s important to remember that not all Northerners were abolitionists, and not all Southerners were pro-slavery.”

After discussing the military motivations, Evelyn sought out another colleague, Laura Simmons, a curator well-versed in the cultural and artistic movements of the time.

“Hey, Laura,” Evelyn said, catching her in the museum’s main hall. “I’m working on a project about the Civil War, and I was wondering if you could shed some light on the role that propaganda played in shaping public opinion and fueling the tensions that led to war.”

“Of course, Evelyn,” Laura replied enthusiastically. “Propaganda played a significant role in the Civil War. Both the Union and the Confederacy used newspapers, pamphlets and music to promote their cause and rally support. The artwork and illustrations of the time were particularly influential, as they often depicted powerful and emotional scenes that struck a chord with the public.”

Growing up in Savannah, Georgia, Laura had been surrounded by the rich history of the American South. Her ancestors had been divided by the Civil War, with some fighting for the Union and others for the Confederacy. This family history fueled Laura’s curiosity about the events and cultural forces that had shaped her country and her family’s past.

As a child, Laura spent countless hours exploring the historic district of Savannah, marveling at the beautiful architecture and visiting the many museums and galleries. It was during these visits that she first encountered the powerful artwork and illustrations from the Civil War era. Laura was struck by the emotional impact these images had on her, even though the events they depicted had occurred more than a century before she was born.

This early fascination with the art of the Civil War era inspired Laura to pursue a degree in art history, focusing on American art and cultural movements during the 19th century. After completing her degree, Laura was thrilled to be offered a position at the prestigious Smithsonian National Museum of American History, where she could continue her research and share her knowledge with others.

Laura couldn’t help but feel a personal connection to the subject she studied. She often wondered how her ancestors had been influenced by the propaganda and artwork of the time, and whether their decisions to fight for one side or the other had been swayed by the powerful images and messages that surrounded them. Like Evelyn, Laura’s passion for history was sparked by a need to understand how a tumultuous historical era had impacted her family.

Evelyn took note of Laura’s insights, excited to incorporate them into her research. The conversations with her colleagues deepened her understanding of the Civil War and the broader context in which the people she was studying had lived their lives.

Around noon, Evelyn joined Susan and several other colleagues for lunch at the new café. The group chatted amiably about their work, recent events, and shared interests, the conversation punctuated by laughter and the clink of silverware. Evelyn found herself enjoying the camaraderie, feeling more connected to her coworkers than she had in a while.

After lunch, Evelyn returned to her office in the museum, a cozy room filled with the familiar scent of old paper. It was her sanctuary, where she could immerse herself in the lives of those who had come before her.

As the afternoon slipped away, Evelyn remained wholly absorbed in her work, the pages of history coming to life before her eyes. The museum’s vast resources and the expertise of its staff provided her with the tools she needed to delve deeper into the stories of those who had lived through the Civil War. Through the process of research, she discovered new connections and gained a greater understanding of the events that had led to the present day.

Evelyn tidied her desk and prepared to leave as the plastic analog clock on the wall, powered by an AA battery, ticked near the five o’clock hour. She bid her coworkers a good evening and made her way back to her car, her mind already shifting to her evening routine. She typically spent her evenings either reading, watching documentaries or attending history-related events, such as lectures and exhibits. This evening, she planned to attend a lecture at nearby University of Maryland — College Park on the political landscape of pre-World War I Europe, a subject that held particular significance for her.

Once home, Evelyn changed into a soft, lightweight, muted-blue cotton t-shirt, which she tucked into a pair of high-waisted, wide-legged pants made of breathable linen. She enjoyed a light dinner consisting of grilled chicken and vegetables, her thoughts turning to the lecture she would soon attend. As she ate, she glanced at the various artifacts scattered throughout her apartment, each a testament to her family’s rich and complex history. The weight of that history hung in the air, a constant reminder of the secrets she sought to uncover and the legacy she hoped to uphold.

Evelyn left her apartment again for the seven-mile drive to UMD for the lecture. The campus was alive with the energy of students and faculty, their conversations and laughter filling the air. She found the lecture hall and took a seat near the back, her eyes scanning the room as it gradually filled with people who shared her passion for history.

The lecturer, renowned historian and author Dr. Victor Adler, captivated Evelyn with his insights into the complex web of alliances, rivalries, and intrigue that had shaped pre-World War I Europe.

“Following the end of World War I and the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire,” Dr. Adler explained, his voice carrying a note of somber reflection, “the ruling royalty were exiled, and the political landscape of Europe shifted once again.”

As Evelyn listened, she couldn’t help but wonder how her own family’s fortunes had been affected by this upheaval, and how their lives might have been different had the winds of history blown in a different direction. She made mental notes of ideas to explore and connections to investigate, her mind racing with the possibilities.

After the lecture ended, Evelyn found herself shoulder-to-shoulder with people headed for the lecture hall exits. Just then, she caught a glance of some familiar faces and approached them.

“That was a fascinating lecture, wasn’t it,” said Tom, a young graduate student Evelyn had met on occasion at the museum and during other history-related events. “It’s amazing how much influence a single event can have on the course of history.”

Evelyn nodded in agreement. “Absolutely. It’s incredible to think about how many lives were changed because of that one turning point. It makes me wonder what other significant events might have been forgotten or overlooked.”

“That’s the beauty of history, isn’t it,” chimed in Susan, a history teacher with whom Evelyn had made previous acquaintance at similar events they both frequented. “There’s always more to discover and uncover, and sometimes the smallest detail can have the most profound impact.”

Kenneth Keane, a Prince George’s County Sentinel journalist there to cover the lecture, sidled up to the conversation and added, “And sometimes the truth can be obscured by time, intentional cover-ups, or just the passage of generations. It’s up to us as historians, educators and writers to dig deep and bring those stories to light.”

“You’re right,” Evelyn replied. “I’ve been researching my own family’s history, and it’s been a challenge to separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to events that happened so long ago. But I’m determined to find the truth, no matter how many twists and turns the path takes.”

“That’s the spirit, Evelyn,” Tom said as he smiled. “The search for truth is what drives all of us in this field. Good luck with your research, and remember, sometimes the most unlikely sources can lead you to the answers you seek.”

Evelyn thanked the threesome for their encouragement, feeling a renewed sense of purpose as she contemplated the mystery that lay at the heart of her family’s past. The conversation with her fellow attendees reminded her that she was not alone in her quest, and that the pursuit of truth was a passion shared by many.

Back at her apartment, Evelyn spent the remainder of the evening reviewing the notes she had taken during the lecture and conducting further research on her laptop.

As she reviewed the flyer passed out to people entering the lecture, she was stunned to read that Dr. Victor Adler shared the name of a prominent Austrian socialist politician and a key figure in the events leading up to World War I. The elder Adler played a significant role in the Austro-Hungarian Empire’s politics during that time.

As she listened to the lecture, she couldn’t help but draw parallels between the events he described and the unresolved questions surrounding her own family’s past. She made mental notes of ideas to explore and connections to investigate, her mind racing with the possibilities. There’s probably more to Dr. Adler’s past than what was initially apparent, Evelyn thought.

As the hours ticked by, the apartment grew quiet and still, the only sounds being the soft hum of her laptop and the gentle turning of pages.

Finally, Evelyn’s eyelids grew heavy, and she knew it was time for sleep. She changed into her pajamas, brushed her teeth and climbed into bed, drawing the covers up around her shoulders. As she lay there in the darkness, her thoughts returned to her family’s past and the secrets that still eluded her. She made a silent vow to herself that she would continue to seek the truth, no matter how long it took or what obstacles she encountered.

With that resolution firmly in mind, Evelyn closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with the stories of her ancestors and the hope of one day unraveling the mysteries that had shaped their lives – and hers.