Archive of the Past
@archiveofthepast.bsky.social
Archive of the Past is a site covering all things historical: books, artifacts, photos, and more!
Managed by @andrewbramlett.bsky.social
More info here: https://archiveofthepast.wixsite.com/archive-of-the-past
Managed by @andrewbramlett.bsky.social
More info here: https://archiveofthepast.wixsite.com/archive-of-the-past
Book review: “Charles Sumner: The Conscience of a Nation” by Zaakir Tameez
Charles Sumner was one of Boston’s most promising young legal scholars before becoming a vocal supporter of the abolitionist movement.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
Charles Sumner was one of Boston’s most promising young legal scholars before becoming a vocal supporter of the abolitionist movement.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
January 11, 2026 at 12:03 PM
Book review: “Charles Sumner: The Conscience of a Nation” by Zaakir Tameez
Charles Sumner was one of Boston’s most promising young legal scholars before becoming a vocal supporter of the abolitionist movement.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
Charles Sumner was one of Boston’s most promising young legal scholars before becoming a vocal supporter of the abolitionist movement.
www.goodreads.com/book/show/21...
Built in 1868, the Mount Washington Cog Railway is one of the steepest railways in the world. It was built by inventor Samuel Marsh to carry tourists to the top of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. The engine shown in this postcard, Waumbek, was built in 1908 and is still used on the railway today.
January 10, 2026 at 11:40 AM
Built in 1868, the Mount Washington Cog Railway is one of the steepest railways in the world. It was built by inventor Samuel Marsh to carry tourists to the top of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington. The engine shown in this postcard, Waumbek, was built in 1908 and is still used on the railway today.
Sequoyah was born around 1770 near what is now Knoxville, Tennessee. His best-known achievement was the Cherokee syllabary, the first writing system for a Native American language.
January 9, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Sequoyah was born around 1770 near what is now Knoxville, Tennessee. His best-known achievement was the Cherokee syllabary, the first writing system for a Native American language.
Loch Ness in Scotland is best known for its mythical monster but is also an excellent example of Scotland’s natural beauty. This painting is undated but is known to date to before the legend of the Loch Ness Monster became famous.
January 8, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Loch Ness in Scotland is best known for its mythical monster but is also an excellent example of Scotland’s natural beauty. This painting is undated but is known to date to before the legend of the Loch Ness Monster became famous.
This photograph was made by the Boston studio of Southworth and Hawes, one of the earliest photography studios in the United States. It shows Lemuel Shaw, a former chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court and the father-in-law of Herman Melville.
January 7, 2026 at 11:40 AM
This photograph was made by the Boston studio of Southworth and Hawes, one of the earliest photography studios in the United States. It shows Lemuel Shaw, a former chief justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court and the father-in-law of Herman Melville.
De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septum [On the fabric of the human body in seven books] by Andreas Vesalius was first published in 1543. It was a groundbreaking work on anatomy and is best known for its unique drawings of the human body. The copy shown below was published in 1555.
January 6, 2026 at 11:30 AM
De Humani Corporis Fabrica Libri Septum [On the fabric of the human body in seven books] by Andreas Vesalius was first published in 1543. It was a groundbreaking work on anatomy and is best known for its unique drawings of the human body. The copy shown below was published in 1555.
In 1854, the State of Texas hired architect Abner Cook to build a mansion for the governor. It was designed in a Greek revival style and took around two years to build. Though it was damaged by an arsonist in 2008, it has since been restored.
January 5, 2026 at 11:43 AM
In 1854, the State of Texas hired architect Abner Cook to build a mansion for the governor. It was designed in a Greek revival style and took around two years to build. Though it was damaged by an arsonist in 2008, it has since been restored.
Book review: “Novel History: Historians and Novelists Confront America's Past (and Each Other)” edited by Mark Carnes
www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
January 4, 2026 at 11:55 AM
Book review: “Novel History: Historians and Novelists Confront America's Past (and Each Other)” edited by Mark Carnes
www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
Silent film actress Marion Davies was a Broadway star, and in 1916 became the mistress of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Using his connections and wealth, Davies was able to become a major Hollywood star and moved to California.
January 3, 2026 at 11:56 AM
Silent film actress Marion Davies was a Broadway star, and in 1916 became the mistress of media tycoon William Randolph Hearst. Using his connections and wealth, Davies was able to become a major Hollywood star and moved to California.
The Ellora Caves are located near Aurangabad, India, and were carved from solid rock between the years 600 and 1000. The site has strong ties to Hindu epics, but these caves were also carved by Buddhists and Jains. In total, there are around 100 caves.
January 2, 2026 at 11:41 AM
The Ellora Caves are located near Aurangabad, India, and were carved from solid rock between the years 600 and 1000. The site has strong ties to Hindu epics, but these caves were also carved by Buddhists and Jains. In total, there are around 100 caves.
Happy New Year!
Since 1890, the Rose Bowl Parade has been a New Year's Day tradition. Last year, I put together an exhibit about the 1954 parade using color slides from my collection. The full exhibit can be found here: express.adobe.com/page/2rc0iAC...
Since 1890, the Rose Bowl Parade has been a New Year's Day tradition. Last year, I put together an exhibit about the 1954 parade using color slides from my collection. The full exhibit can be found here: express.adobe.com/page/2rc0iAC...
January 1, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Happy New Year!
Since 1890, the Rose Bowl Parade has been a New Year's Day tradition. Last year, I put together an exhibit about the 1954 parade using color slides from my collection. The full exhibit can be found here: express.adobe.com/page/2rc0iAC...
Since 1890, the Rose Bowl Parade has been a New Year's Day tradition. Last year, I put together an exhibit about the 1954 parade using color slides from my collection. The full exhibit can be found here: express.adobe.com/page/2rc0iAC...
This 1922 photograph shows two ships of the US Navy in the Panama Canal’s Gatun Locks. On the left is the USS Olympia, which was Admiral George Dewey’s flagship during the Spanish-American War and is now preserved as a museum ship.
December 31, 2025 at 12:00 PM
This 1922 photograph shows two ships of the US Navy in the Panama Canal’s Gatun Locks. On the left is the USS Olympia, which was Admiral George Dewey’s flagship during the Spanish-American War and is now preserved as a museum ship.
This striking Dutch advertisement for lightbulbs was made by artist Reijer Stolk. The text translates to “Philips Lamps in all strengths.” Stolk was born in Java in 1896 and died in Amsterdam in 1945.
December 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
This striking Dutch advertisement for lightbulbs was made by artist Reijer Stolk. The text translates to “Philips Lamps in all strengths.” Stolk was born in Java in 1896 and died in Amsterdam in 1945.
While the Washington Monument on the National Mall is the most famous tribute to the United States’ first president, it is not the first. The Washington Monument in Baltimore, constructed from 1815 to 1829, holds that title.
December 29, 2025 at 11:50 AM
While the Washington Monument on the National Mall is the most famous tribute to the United States’ first president, it is not the first. The Washington Monument in Baltimore, constructed from 1815 to 1829, holds that title.
Book Review: “Jesse James: The Last Rebel of the Civil War” by T. J. Stiles
T. J. Stiles’ biography of Jesse James offers a fresh reinterpretation of his legacy. James is stripped of the varnish that makes him a heroic outlaw in popular culture, and is instead viewed as a product of the Civil War.
T. J. Stiles’ biography of Jesse James offers a fresh reinterpretation of his legacy. James is stripped of the varnish that makes him a heroic outlaw in popular culture, and is instead viewed as a product of the Civil War.
December 28, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Book Review: “Jesse James: The Last Rebel of the Civil War” by T. J. Stiles
T. J. Stiles’ biography of Jesse James offers a fresh reinterpretation of his legacy. James is stripped of the varnish that makes him a heroic outlaw in popular culture, and is instead viewed as a product of the Civil War.
T. J. Stiles’ biography of Jesse James offers a fresh reinterpretation of his legacy. James is stripped of the varnish that makes him a heroic outlaw in popular culture, and is instead viewed as a product of the Civil War.
Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1722 by the 1st Duke of Marlborough. While the palace was almost lost in the 1800s, it was saved by the 9th Duke of Marlborough’s dowry from his marriage to American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Blenheim is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
December 27, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Blenheim Palace was built between 1705 and 1722 by the 1st Duke of Marlborough. While the palace was almost lost in the 1800s, it was saved by the 9th Duke of Marlborough’s dowry from his marriage to American heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt. Blenheim is also the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
This aerial view of Venice was taken in 1648, and many of the city’s most important tourist spots can be seen. When this map was made, Venice was still very wealthy but was losing power.
December 26, 2025 at 12:03 PM
This aerial view of Venice was taken in 1648, and many of the city’s most important tourist spots can be seen. When this map was made, Venice was still very wealthy but was losing power.
Merry Christmas from Archive of the Past!
Image: “Harper’s Christmas” by Edward Penfield (1895). From the Boston Public Library (www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commo...)
Image: “Harper’s Christmas” by Edward Penfield (1895). From the Boston Public Library (www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commo...)
December 25, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Merry Christmas from Archive of the Past!
Image: “Harper’s Christmas” by Edward Penfield (1895). From the Boston Public Library (www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commo...)
Image: “Harper’s Christmas” by Edward Penfield (1895). From the Boston Public Library (www.digitalcommonwealth.org/search/commo...)
In Medieval England, a peasant was selected each year to become the “Lord of Misrule” at Christmas. This role parodied the nobility and oversaw all Christmas festivities and the Feast of Fools on January 1.
December 24, 2025 at 12:18 PM
In Medieval England, a peasant was selected each year to become the “Lord of Misrule” at Christmas. This role parodied the nobility and oversaw all Christmas festivities and the Feast of Fools on January 1.
The first recorded mention of Santa Claus’s sleigh being pulled by reindeer is in a 1821 poem, but the concept was popularized by Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem “The Night Before Christmas.” Moore was the first to state that Santa had eight reindeer.
December 23, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The first recorded mention of Santa Claus’s sleigh being pulled by reindeer is in a 1821 poem, but the concept was popularized by Clement Clarke Moore’s 1823 poem “The Night Before Christmas.” Moore was the first to state that Santa had eight reindeer.
The Nebraska Legislature first met in 1855 when Nebraska was a territory. Nebraska gained statehood in 1867. Originally, the legislature had two houses, a House of Representatives and a Senate.
December 22, 2025 at 11:29 AM
The Nebraska Legislature first met in 1855 when Nebraska was a territory. Nebraska gained statehood in 1867. Originally, the legislature had two houses, a House of Representatives and a Senate.
Book review: “Partisans and Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution” by Walter Edgar
www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...
December 21, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Book review: “Partisans and Redcoats: The Southern Conflict That Turned the Tide of the American Revolution” by Walter Edgar
www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/19...
In 1907, French forces occupied Casablanca and continued to control the city (and the rest of Morocco) until 1956. In 1908, the French constructed the clock tower shown in this postcard. It was demolished in 1948 and was rebuilt in the 1990s.
December 20, 2025 at 11:54 AM
In 1907, French forces occupied Casablanca and continued to control the city (and the rest of Morocco) until 1956. In 1908, the French constructed the clock tower shown in this postcard. It was demolished in 1948 and was rebuilt in the 1990s.
Anne of Austria, a Habsburg, was Queen of France from 1615 to 1643. Beginning in 1643, she served as Queen regent of France due to her son’s youth and worked alongside Cardinal Mazarin during this period. Her son, Louis XIV or the “Sun King,” came of age in 1651.
December 19, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Anne of Austria, a Habsburg, was Queen of France from 1615 to 1643. Beginning in 1643, she served as Queen regent of France due to her son’s youth and worked alongside Cardinal Mazarin during this period. Her son, Louis XIV or the “Sun King,” came of age in 1651.
In 1936, one of the Federal Theatre Project’s productions was William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Featuring an all-Black cast, the play’s action was taken from Scotland to Haiti. It is one of the earliest examples of an African American stage production gaining national attention.
December 18, 2025 at 12:09 PM
In 1936, one of the Federal Theatre Project’s productions was William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Featuring an all-Black cast, the play’s action was taken from Scotland to Haiti. It is one of the earliest examples of an African American stage production gaining national attention.