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
Utah’s Bryce Canyon is named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon homesteader who settled in the area in 1874. The first major scientific investigation of the canyon was in 1872, and it quickly gained attention as a natural wonder. It became a National Monument in 1923 and a National Park in 1928.
November 25, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Utah’s Bryce Canyon is named after Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon homesteader who settled in the area in 1874. The first major scientific investigation of the canyon was in 1872, and it quickly gained attention as a natural wonder. It became a National Monument in 1923 and a National Park in 1928.
The Larkin Administration Building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a soap business. Located in Buffalo, New York, the building was built from 1904 to 1906. Inside the grand atrium, shown in this picture, was a large organ. The building was demolished in 1950 for a truck stop.
November 24, 2025 at 12:21 PM
The Larkin Administration Building was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright for a soap business. Located in Buffalo, New York, the building was built from 1904 to 1906. Inside the grand atrium, shown in this picture, was a large organ. The building was demolished in 1950 for a truck stop.
Book review: “Voices of Protest: Huey Long, Father Coughlin, and the Great Depression” by Alan Brinkley
Huey Long and Father Coughlin were the two leading dissenters in FDR’s America, though both began as tenuous allies.
Huey Long and Father Coughlin were the two leading dissenters in FDR’s America, though both began as tenuous allies.
November 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Book review: “Voices of Protest: Huey Long, Father Coughlin, and the Great Depression” by Alan Brinkley
Huey Long and Father Coughlin were the two leading dissenters in FDR’s America, though both began as tenuous allies.
Huey Long and Father Coughlin were the two leading dissenters in FDR’s America, though both began as tenuous allies.
This building in Chicago was initially built as the German Pavilion for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Unlike many other parts of the exposition, the German Pavilion lasted for years after the fair closed and was used as a museum. It was destroyed in a 1925 fire.
November 22, 2025 at 11:49 AM
This building in Chicago was initially built as the German Pavilion for the World’s Columbian Exposition in 1893. Unlike many other parts of the exposition, the German Pavilion lasted for years after the fair closed and was used as a museum. It was destroyed in a 1925 fire.
When the Northwest Territory began to be settled in the 1780s, one group of pioneers founded the town of Marietta, Ohio. These settlers found an old Native American mound, which in 1801 became the site of the town cemetery. With the land set aside for burials, the mound was spared from destruction.
November 21, 2025 at 12:04 PM
When the Northwest Territory began to be settled in the 1780s, one group of pioneers founded the town of Marietta, Ohio. These settlers found an old Native American mound, which in 1801 became the site of the town cemetery. With the land set aside for burials, the mound was spared from destruction.
Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese theater, and dates back to the late sixteenth or early seventeenth centuries. Kabuki originally was performed entirely by women but became all male in 1629. The word kabuki is written with three characters, meaning “song,” “dance,” and “skill.”
November 20, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Kabuki is a traditional form of Japanese theater, and dates back to the late sixteenth or early seventeenth centuries. Kabuki originally was performed entirely by women but became all male in 1629. The word kabuki is written with three characters, meaning “song,” “dance,” and “skill.”
In 1966, the Procrastinators Club of America staged one of the most unique protests in American history. Following a wave of anti-war protests, the club gathered signs in Philadelphia and began to protest the War of 1812.
November 19, 2025 at 11:40 AM
In 1966, the Procrastinators Club of America staged one of the most unique protests in American history. Following a wave of anti-war protests, the club gathered signs in Philadelphia and began to protest the War of 1812.
The Monastery of Batalha in Portugal was built from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries and is an important example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. Construction was started in 1385 by King João I, who was celebrating a military victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota.
November 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
The Monastery of Batalha in Portugal was built from the fourteenth to the sixteenth centuries and is an important example of Flamboyant Gothic architecture. Construction was started in 1385 by King João I, who was celebrating a military victory at the Battle of Aljubarrota.
The San Estévan del Rey Mission Church is located in Acoma, New Mexico. It was built in the 1600s and is known for how it mixes Spanish and Pueblo architecture. It is today a National Historic Landmark.
November 17, 2025 at 11:32 AM
The San Estévan del Rey Mission Church is located in Acoma, New Mexico. It was built in the 1600s and is known for how it mixes Spanish and Pueblo architecture. It is today a National Historic Landmark.
Book review: “Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn” by Christopher Cox
This new biography of Wilson from Christopher Cox examines the relationship between the twenty-eighth president and the Suffrage Movement.
This new biography of Wilson from Christopher Cox examines the relationship between the twenty-eighth president and the Suffrage Movement.
November 16, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Book review: “Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn” by Christopher Cox
This new biography of Wilson from Christopher Cox examines the relationship between the twenty-eighth president and the Suffrage Movement.
This new biography of Wilson from Christopher Cox examines the relationship between the twenty-eighth president and the Suffrage Movement.
The Wainhouse Tower is over 250 feet tall and rises above Halifax, England. The tower was built in the 1870s as a chimney for a dye works, and the architect included steps to the top and a balcony.
November 15, 2025 at 11:36 AM
The Wainhouse Tower is over 250 feet tall and rises above Halifax, England. The tower was built in the 1870s as a chimney for a dye works, and the architect included steps to the top and a balcony.
On November 14, 1889, journalist Nellie Bly set out on her journey around the world. Her goal was to travel the entire globe faster than Phileas Fogg’s journey in the book “Around the World in Eighty Days.” She ultimately completed the trip in seventy-two days.
November 14, 2025 at 11:43 AM
On November 14, 1889, journalist Nellie Bly set out on her journey around the world. Her goal was to travel the entire globe faster than Phileas Fogg’s journey in the book “Around the World in Eighty Days.” She ultimately completed the trip in seventy-two days.
The Russo-Japanese War was fought between 1904 and 1905, and is sometimes considered a testing ground for World War I. Many technological advancements were tested first in this war before being used by the armies of Europe a decade later.
November 13, 2025 at 11:44 AM
The Russo-Japanese War was fought between 1904 and 1905, and is sometimes considered a testing ground for World War I. Many technological advancements were tested first in this war before being used by the armies of Europe a decade later.
In 1904, San Francisco hired Daniel Burnham to create a plan to redo the city with new roadways and civic buildings. Burnham was part of the City Beautiful movement, which sought to remake America’s cities into Beaux-Arts marvels.
November 12, 2025 at 11:34 AM
In 1904, San Francisco hired Daniel Burnham to create a plan to redo the city with new roadways and civic buildings. Burnham was part of the City Beautiful movement, which sought to remake America’s cities into Beaux-Arts marvels.
On November 11, 1918, the Armistice with Germany was signed, which ended the fighting of World War I. This photograph shows people celebrating the end of the war. November 11 became a federal holiday named Armistice Day, but after World War II, the holiday’s name was changed to Veterans Day.
November 11, 2025 at 11:09 AM
On November 11, 1918, the Armistice with Germany was signed, which ended the fighting of World War I. This photograph shows people celebrating the end of the war. November 11 became a federal holiday named Armistice Day, but after World War II, the holiday’s name was changed to Veterans Day.
The Château of Blois is an amalgamation of several French era, with the oldest surviving pieces being medieval and the newest being from the 17th century. This image shows the Louis XII Wing, built from 1498 to 1500 in a French Gothic style.
November 10, 2025 at 11:20 AM
The Château of Blois is an amalgamation of several French era, with the oldest surviving pieces being medieval and the newest being from the 17th century. This image shows the Louis XII Wing, built from 1498 to 1500 in a French Gothic style.
Book review: “The Scarith of Scornelo: A Tale of Renaissance Forgery” by Ingrid D. Rowland
In 1637, Tuscan teenager Curzio Inghirami made the discovery of a lifetime. Surrounding his family’s hilltop villa were ancient writings from an Etruscan priest in the 1st century BC.
In 1637, Tuscan teenager Curzio Inghirami made the discovery of a lifetime. Surrounding his family’s hilltop villa were ancient writings from an Etruscan priest in the 1st century BC.
November 9, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Book review: “The Scarith of Scornelo: A Tale of Renaissance Forgery” by Ingrid D. Rowland
In 1637, Tuscan teenager Curzio Inghirami made the discovery of a lifetime. Surrounding his family’s hilltop villa were ancient writings from an Etruscan priest in the 1st century BC.
In 1637, Tuscan teenager Curzio Inghirami made the discovery of a lifetime. Surrounding his family’s hilltop villa were ancient writings from an Etruscan priest in the 1st century BC.
England’s Truro Cathedral looks like its medieval counterparts, but was actually built between 1880 and 1910. It was designed by John Loughborough Pearson, a noted Gothic Revival architect of the Victorian Era. Parts of the design are based on Lincoln Cathedral, which was built from 1185 to 1311.
November 8, 2025 at 11:38 AM
England’s Truro Cathedral looks like its medieval counterparts, but was actually built between 1880 and 1910. It was designed by John Loughborough Pearson, a noted Gothic Revival architect of the Victorian Era. Parts of the design are based on Lincoln Cathedral, which was built from 1185 to 1311.
General Francis Marion, A.K.A. the Swamp Fox, was a hero of the American Revolution. He is best known for his exploits in South Carolina and is considered one of the creators of guerrilla warfare. He was made famous by Parson Weems (creator of the story of Washington and the cherry tree).
November 7, 2025 at 11:47 AM
General Francis Marion, A.K.A. the Swamp Fox, was a hero of the American Revolution. He is best known for his exploits in South Carolina and is considered one of the creators of guerrilla warfare. He was made famous by Parson Weems (creator of the story of Washington and the cherry tree).
This woodcut of a Rhinoceros was made by German artist Albrecht Durer in 1515. The animal shown was a gift rhinoceros of Manuel I of Portugal and was the only rhinoceros in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was killed in a shipwreck on its way to Rome.
November 6, 2025 at 11:52 AM
This woodcut of a Rhinoceros was made by German artist Albrecht Durer in 1515. The animal shown was a gift rhinoceros of Manuel I of Portugal and was the only rhinoceros in Europe during the Middle Ages. It was killed in a shipwreck on its way to Rome.
Oakes and Oliver Ames were brothers and leaders of the Union Pacific Railroad during its construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Oakes Ames served in Congress and is remembered for his prominent role in the Crédit Mobilier bribery scandal.
November 5, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Oakes and Oliver Ames were brothers and leaders of the Union Pacific Railroad during its construction of the Transcontinental Railroad. Oakes Ames served in Congress and is remembered for his prominent role in the Crédit Mobilier bribery scandal.
Located along the coast southeast of Naples, Salerno, Italy, dates back to the year 197 BCE. In the Middle Ages, Salerno was home to the first medical school in Europe. This photograph of the city was made in 1856. Today, much of the bay shown in the foreground is a major seaport.
November 4, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Located along the coast southeast of Naples, Salerno, Italy, dates back to the year 197 BCE. In the Middle Ages, Salerno was home to the first medical school in Europe. This photograph of the city was made in 1856. Today, much of the bay shown in the foreground is a major seaport.
Located in New Hampshire, the Portsmouth Athenæum was established in 1817 as an intellectual society. This building was built in 1805 as an insurance office and was purchased by the Athenæum in 1823. It remains an important part of Portsmouth.
November 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Located in New Hampshire, the Portsmouth Athenæum was established in 1817 as an intellectual society. This building was built in 1805 as an insurance office and was purchased by the Athenæum in 1823. It remains an important part of Portsmouth.
Book review: “Ellen Axson Wilson: First Lady Between Two Worlds” by Frances Wright Saunders
Ellen Axson Wilson was only the first lady for two years, but her almost thirty-year marriage to Woodrow Wilson made him an important part of his life.
Ellen Axson Wilson was only the first lady for two years, but her almost thirty-year marriage to Woodrow Wilson made him an important part of his life.
November 2, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Book review: “Ellen Axson Wilson: First Lady Between Two Worlds” by Frances Wright Saunders
Ellen Axson Wilson was only the first lady for two years, but her almost thirty-year marriage to Woodrow Wilson made him an important part of his life.
Ellen Axson Wilson was only the first lady for two years, but her almost thirty-year marriage to Woodrow Wilson made him an important part of his life.
The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee (often referred to as Sewanee) was founded in 1857 as an Episcopal seminary. Many of its founders would go on to serve in the Confederate Army.
November 1, 2025 at 10:56 AM
The University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee (often referred to as Sewanee) was founded in 1857 as an Episcopal seminary. Many of its founders would go on to serve in the Confederate Army.