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
Carter G. Woodson is known as the “Father of Black History,” and is credited as the father of Black History Month. He proposed a weeklong celebration in 1926, and it became a full month in 1970.
February 3, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Carter G. Woodson is known as the “Father of Black History,” and is credited as the father of Black History Month. He proposed a weeklong celebration in 1926, and it became a full month in 1970.
Albany City Hall in New York was designed by noted Gilded Age architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Construction began in 1883 and was finished three years later. Richardson was known for his Romanesque-style buildings, and this is considered one of the best examples of his work.
February 2, 2026 at 11:35 AM
Albany City Hall in New York was designed by noted Gilded Age architect Henry Hobson Richardson. Construction began in 1883 and was finished three years later. Richardson was known for his Romanesque-style buildings, and this is considered one of the best examples of his work.
Book Review: “The Golden Age of Battlefield Preservation: The Decade of the 1890s and the Establishment of America’s First Five Military Parks” by Timothy B. Smith
www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...
February 1, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Book Review: “The Golden Age of Battlefield Preservation: The Decade of the 1890s and the Establishment of America’s First Five Military Parks” by Timothy B. Smith
www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...
www.goodreads.com/book/show/40...
The Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre is the most recognizable part of Montmartre, a neighborhood of Paris known for its connections to the arts. It was planned in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War, and construction began in 1875.
January 31, 2026 at 11:46 AM
The Basilica of Sacré Cœur de Montmartre is the most recognizable part of Montmartre, a neighborhood of Paris known for its connections to the arts. It was planned in the wake of the Franco-Prussian War, and construction began in 1875.
When James Monroe died in 1831, he was buried in New York. Virginia felt it was more appropriate for the former president to be buried in his home state, and efforts began in the 1850s to reinter Monroe. (1/2)
January 30, 2026 at 11:54 AM
When James Monroe died in 1831, he was buried in New York. Virginia felt it was more appropriate for the former president to be buried in his home state, and efforts began in the 1850s to reinter Monroe. (1/2)
This incredible and detailed map shows the city of Vienna. The fortification shown at the far edges of the city is the Linienwall, built in 1704 and demolished in 1894.
January 29, 2026 at 11:42 AM
This incredible and detailed map shows the city of Vienna. The fortification shown at the far edges of the city is the Linienwall, built in 1704 and demolished in 1894.
The Old Jacksonville Post Office and Courthouse was built in 1895. The structure was later deemed inadequate and was replaced in 1933 by a new building several blocks away. This original building served a variety of uses until its demolition in 1948.
January 28, 2026 at 11:58 AM
The Old Jacksonville Post Office and Courthouse was built in 1895. The structure was later deemed inadequate and was replaced in 1933 by a new building several blocks away. This original building served a variety of uses until its demolition in 1948.
The success of the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London’s Crystal Palace led to a number of imitations across the globe. One of these was the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853, held in Dublin. It was held on the grounds of Leinster House, which is now home to Ireland’s parliament.
January 27, 2026 at 11:42 AM
The success of the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London’s Crystal Palace led to a number of imitations across the globe. One of these was the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853, held in Dublin. It was held on the grounds of Leinster House, which is now home to Ireland’s parliament.
On the façade of Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica are four horse statues, sometimes called the Triumphal Quadriga. The statues are believed to date to the 2nd or 3rd century and were located for centuries at the Hippodrome in Constantinople.
January 26, 2026 at 11:44 AM
On the façade of Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica are four horse statues, sometimes called the Triumphal Quadriga. The statues are believed to date to the 2nd or 3rd century and were located for centuries at the Hippodrome in Constantinople.
Book Review: “American Dialogue: The Founders and Us” by Joseph J. Ellis
Joseph J. Ellis is a well-respected scholar of the Founding Fathers, whose books have been popular with both historians and the general public.
Joseph J. Ellis is a well-respected scholar of the Founding Fathers, whose books have been popular with both historians and the general public.
January 25, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Book Review: “American Dialogue: The Founders and Us” by Joseph J. Ellis
Joseph J. Ellis is a well-respected scholar of the Founding Fathers, whose books have been popular with both historians and the general public.
Joseph J. Ellis is a well-respected scholar of the Founding Fathers, whose books have been popular with both historians and the general public.
The San Francisco Cliff House was first built in 1863 at a site called Lands End, but it soon gained a seedy reputation. It was destroyed by a 1894 fire. The version of the Cliff House shown here was built in 1896, but in 1907 it was destroyed in another fire.
January 24, 2026 at 6:15 PM
The San Francisco Cliff House was first built in 1863 at a site called Lands End, but it soon gained a seedy reputation. It was destroyed by a 1894 fire. The version of the Cliff House shown here was built in 1896, but in 1907 it was destroyed in another fire.
Available through the Library of Congress website are many vintage trademark applications. This colorful logo was submitted in 1889 by the A. Booth Packing Company for Black Diamond Brand California Fresh Salmon.
January 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Available through the Library of Congress website are many vintage trademark applications. This colorful logo was submitted in 1889 by the A. Booth Packing Company for Black Diamond Brand California Fresh Salmon.
The famed Prague Astronomical Clock was installed in 1410 and is the world’s oldest clock still in use. It is known both for its astrolabe and for the mechanical figures that come to life each hour. The clock was most recently restored in 2018.
January 22, 2026 at 11:32 AM
The famed Prague Astronomical Clock was installed in 1410 and is the world’s oldest clock still in use. It is known both for its astrolabe and for the mechanical figures that come to life each hour. The clock was most recently restored in 2018.
Sitting Bull of the Lakota was perhaps one of the most famous Native American leaders of the Nineteenth Century. He led the troops that defeated George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and spent the next few years on the run from the US Army.
January 21, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Sitting Bull of the Lakota was perhaps one of the most famous Native American leaders of the Nineteenth Century. He led the troops that defeated George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn and spent the next few years on the run from the US Army.
Reposted by Archive of the Past
On Sunday, I got to photograph the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. This movie palace opened in 1927, and has been restored to its original glory. @beth-loves-epcot.bsky.social and I were at the theatre for an organ concert. More photos can be found on my website: ajbramlett.com/2026/01/20/t...
January 21, 2026 at 1:02 AM
On Sunday, I got to photograph the Alabama Theatre in Birmingham. This movie palace opened in 1927, and has been restored to its original glory. @beth-loves-epcot.bsky.social and I were at the theatre for an organ concert. More photos can be found on my website: ajbramlett.com/2026/01/20/t...
One of history’s unluckiest individuals is the Greek tragedian Aeschylus. According to legend, an eagle was holding a tortoise and looking for a rock to drop it on, so that the shell would be broken. (1/2)
January 20, 2026 at 11:38 AM
One of history’s unluckiest individuals is the Greek tragedian Aeschylus. According to legend, an eagle was holding a tortoise and looking for a rock to drop it on, so that the shell would be broken. (1/2)
Today’s federal holiday celebrates the life of Georgia’s own Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was born inside this Atlanta house at 501 Auburn Avenue in 1929.
January 19, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Today’s federal holiday celebrates the life of Georgia’s own Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was born inside this Atlanta house at 501 Auburn Avenue in 1929.
Book review: “Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide” by Tony Horowitz
In the 1850s, Frederick Law Olmsted traveled across the South with the goal of investigating and analyzing slavery.
In the 1850s, Frederick Law Olmsted traveled across the South with the goal of investigating and analyzing slavery.
January 18, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Book review: “Spying on the South: An Odyssey Across the American Divide” by Tony Horowitz
In the 1850s, Frederick Law Olmsted traveled across the South with the goal of investigating and analyzing slavery.
In the 1850s, Frederick Law Olmsted traveled across the South with the goal of investigating and analyzing slavery.
This small house is believed to be the birthplace of President Andrew Johnson. Though Johnson is most famously connected to Tennessee, he was actually born in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was moved from its original location in the 1880s, 1904, the 1930s, and in 1975.
January 17, 2026 at 11:49 AM
This small house is believed to be the birthplace of President Andrew Johnson. Though Johnson is most famously connected to Tennessee, he was actually born in Raleigh, North Carolina. It was moved from its original location in the 1880s, 1904, the 1930s, and in 1975.
These two photographs are a nice snapshot of what department store windows were like in the 1880s. These images depict Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, a department store open in Salem, Massachusetts from 1862 to 1985.
January 16, 2026 at 11:37 AM
These two photographs are a nice snapshot of what department store windows were like in the 1880s. These images depict Almy, Bigelow & Washburn, a department store open in Salem, Massachusetts from 1862 to 1985.
Shown in this painting is Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, and Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia, who were both prominent leaders of the Axis powers during World War I. This painting was owned by Manfred von Richthofen – “The Red Baron.”
January 15, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Shown in this painting is Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary, and Wilhelm II, Emperor of Germany and King of Prussia, who were both prominent leaders of the Axis powers during World War I. This painting was owned by Manfred von Richthofen – “The Red Baron.”
Nashville, Tennessee, sits on the banks of the Cumberland River, and has been home to white settlements as far back as the seventeenth century.
January 14, 2026 at 11:30 AM
Nashville, Tennessee, sits on the banks of the Cumberland River, and has been home to white settlements as far back as the seventeenth century.
This image is part of a 1870 board game based around the Union Pacific Railroad, called “Voyage from New York to San Francisco upon the Union Pacific Railroad.” It was published in both English and German. Each space represents an important event and sites that could be found along the route.
January 13, 2026 at 11:58 AM
This image is part of a 1870 board game based around the Union Pacific Railroad, called “Voyage from New York to San Francisco upon the Union Pacific Railroad.” It was published in both English and German. Each space represents an important event and sites that could be found along the route.
Shown here is St. David’s Episcopal Church and Cemetery, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971. The church building was built just before the American Revolution.
January 12, 2026 at 11:24 AM
Shown here is St. David’s Episcopal Church and Cemetery, which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1971. The church building was built just before the American Revolution.
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...