Hoboken Sixth Grader Pursues Passion for the Past at New York City History Camp

While many middle-school students choose to immerse themselves in the latest and greatest gadgets of present-day American culture, Hoboken sixth-grader Henry Engler prefers to look back in time, when there was no such thing as an iPhone 6 or a PlayStation 4.

Henry was recently awarded a scholarship to attend Camp History: Civil War Photography Then and Now, a program offered by the New-York Historical Society’s DiMenna Children’s History Museum in New York City.

During the week-long camp, with noted photographer Robert Christian Malmberg, students researched life during the Civil War and experienced photography as it existed in the 1860s.

The All Saints Episcopal Day School student connects himself with history every chance he gets.

“The time period that I know the most about is World War II,” Henry explained. “I find the modern weaponry and the tactics used by the different countries involved fascinating.”


“We learned a lot of facts about the Civil War, mainly concerning the home front,” Henry recalled. “We were able to see actual photos from the war called tintypes.”


His mother, Shannon Engler, credits All Saints with Henry’s continued love of historical studies, helping the inquisitive student to lock in the learning.

“The teachers at All Saints have helped foster his enthusiasm for history by recommending further reading for him, as well as engaging in discussions about military history,” Shannon Engler said.

To be eligible for a Camp History scholarship, a student must demonstrate a love of history, and be nominated by a teacher or school administrator. Tiffany Cohen, a teacher at All
Saints, nominated Henry for the scholarship.

“I decided to nominate Henry for this program because of his love of learning about history, especially past wars and battles,” Ms. Cohen explained.

The student’s love of military history began at the age of 8, when he visited the United States Military Academy at West Point.

“He watched the Black Knights parachute onto the parade field and was able eat lunch in the Mess Hall with all the cadets — and he was hooked,” Engler recalled.

Henry’s current historical focus is on the American Revolutionary War. He said he is also looking forward to studying Medieval History and the Byzantine Empire this school year.





“All Saints has fostered Henry’s love of learning in multiple ways,” said Ms. Cohen. “I think it has helped him research more information than what is just in the textbook. He is frequently encouraged to explore more information and share it with his classmates.”

All Saints Episcopal Day School is located at 707 Washington Street in Hoboken. For more information, call 201-792-6292 or click here.