Features
Curated articles that explore the rich intersections of history, craftsmanship, and collecting culture. These long-form pieces are your gateway to learning something new, seeing the familiar in a fresh light, and connecting with the past meaningfully.
Around the House with Art Deco
By Donald-Brian Johnson • Photos by Leslie Piña “Art Deco was the last truly sumptuous style.” – Alastair Duncan, Art ...
Art Deco Purses
by Paula Higgins Art Deco purses are highly sought after, currently among the most desired of all antique and vintage ...
Czech Art Deco Vanity
by Marsha Crafts and Bonnie Salzman photos by Marsha Crafts The formation of the country of Czechoslovakia at the end ...
Gone to Sea: The Art Deco Ocean Liners
By Bill Miller Ocean liners were once described as the “greatest moving objects made by man.” They were also great ...
1925 Exposition: Art Deco on the World Stage
By Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher The Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes (International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial ...
Nineteenth Century Walking Sticks
By Melody Amsel-Arieli Nineteenth century walking sticks, also known as canes or handstaffs, apparently harken back to the humble shepherd ...
The Traditional Gentlemen’s Club and Its Etiquette
by “The Gentleman” • edited and extra copy by Judy Gonyeau According to Wikipedia, the term gentleman refers to any ...
American Fashion and Tailoring as made by The John J. Mitchell Publishing Company
by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor, with information shared by Jean Druesdow, director emerita, Kent State University Museum A gentleman never ...
Styling the 19th Century Gentleman
By Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher In the 19th century, men, like women, literally wore their wealth on their sleeves. From the ...
Collecting Ophthalmic Antiques
Photos and information by Ron Harmic at www.medicalantiques.com, and www.CollegeofOptometrists.org The 19th-century customer had a wide choice of corrective visual ...
Prepared to Record History: Inkwells
By Melody Amsel-Arieli Writing systems have existed since ancient times. Sumerians, for example, used a stylus to create meaningful wedge-like ...
The Writing Desks and Habits of Famous Authors
by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher It is said that Kurt Vonnegut used his hardwood floor as his desk. He worked from ...
John Deere: Master Blacksmith & Innovator
By Judy Gonyeau, managing editor John was born into a family of six children on February 7, 1804. His father ...
Worldly Possessions: The Material World of a Black Farmer in New England
By Erica Lome, Ph.D. In 1827, an obituary posted in the Concord, Massachusetts, newspaper Yeoman’s Gazette noted the passing of ...
The Almanac: A Guide to the Future
By Kaitlin Servant Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” This well-known piece ...
The Tradition of Heirloom Seeds
With Rich Giordano If you travel back in time to 175 years ago, chances are you are a farmer. Your ...
Canning the Harvest
by Jessica Kosinski Fall in New England is a beautiful time of year. It brings to mind images of crisp, ...
Cyrus McCormick: The Father of Modern Agriculture
by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher At the age of 22, Cyrus McCormick created the first grain-harvesting machine in the United States: ...
Tokens of Service: Collecting Military Memorabilia
by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor Remembering and honoring the many who have served our country fills numerous museums, is written ...
Eunice Kennedy Shriver: A Legacy of Advocacy
By Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher Born in Brookline, Massachusetts on July 10, 1921, Eunice was the fifth in a rapid succession ...
Lionel Standard Gauge: 1906 – 1940
by Bruce C. Greenberg, Ph.D. Additional copy on Joshua Lionel Cowen provided by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor Joshua Lionel Cowen ...
Peter Cooper: An American-Made Model of the 19th Century
by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher The venerable Peter Cooper, whose philanthropic life endeared him to every citizen of New York, died ...
Railroads On Parade
by Donald-Brian Johnson “Do you think that progress will be swayed By the tea-kettle that this man has made? This ...
Pullman: Riding the Rails in Luxury
by Maxine Carter-Lome, publisher George Mortimer Pullman was born on March 3, 1831, in Brocton, New York, just four years ...
Book Bindings Bound For History
by Jim Dawson When discussing the housing of history, creating a safe and protective environment for the written word is ...
