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Book review: “Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn” by Christopher Cox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Book review: “Woodrow Wilson: The Light Withdrawn” by Christopher Cox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.
Happy Halloween! This poster is for Claude Alexander Conlin, also called “the Man Who Knows.” He was a popular magician around WWI.
October 31, 2025 at 10:36 AM
Happy Halloween! This poster is for Claude Alexander Conlin, also called “the Man Who Knows.” He was a popular magician around WWI.
This 1969 map shows mankind’s many voyages of exploration into space. The lines in orange and yellow are missions from the United States, the green and blue lines are from the Soviet Union, and the purple lines are from other countries. This map was published before Apollo 11.
October 30, 2025 at 10:49 AM
This 1969 map shows mankind’s many voyages of exploration into space. The lines in orange and yellow are missions from the United States, the green and blue lines are from the Soviet Union, and the purple lines are from other countries. This map was published before Apollo 11.
In 1886, Leonard Wood played a role in tracking down Geronimo, and Wood received the Medal of Honor. In the Spanish-American War, he was the commander of the Rough Riders, with his second in command being Theodore Roosevelt.
October 29, 2025 at 10:48 AM
In 1886, Leonard Wood played a role in tracking down Geronimo, and Wood received the Medal of Honor. In the Spanish-American War, he was the commander of the Rough Riders, with his second in command being Theodore Roosevelt.
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.
October 28, 2025 at 10:53 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.
This structure was built in 1854 as the city hall of Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis. It was used as the city hall until the 1930s and was renamed McLevy Hall in 1966. It is now a landmark of Bridgeport.
October 27, 2025 at 10:42 AM
This structure was built in 1854 as the city hall of Bridgeport, Connecticut. It was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis. It was used as the city hall until the 1930s and was renamed McLevy Hall in 1966. It is now a landmark of Bridgeport.
Book review: “Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal and the Making of a Great Nation” by Peter L. Bernstein
The completion of the Erie Canal on October 26, 1825, marked a momentous point in American transportation and economic history.
The completion of the Erie Canal on October 26, 1825, marked a momentous point in American transportation and economic history.
October 26, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Book review: “Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal and the Making of a Great Nation” by Peter L. Bernstein
The completion of the Erie Canal on October 26, 1825, marked a momentous point in American transportation and economic history.
The completion of the Erie Canal on October 26, 1825, marked a momentous point in American transportation and economic history.
The Eads Bridge in St. Louis is the oldest bridge across the Mississippi River and was built between 1867 and 1874. It is named after engineer James B. Eads.
October 25, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The Eads Bridge in St. Louis is the oldest bridge across the Mississippi River and was built between 1867 and 1874. It is named after engineer James B. Eads.
The San Jose, Costa Rica was founded in the 1730s, and became the country’s capital in 1823. It replaced the earlier colonial capital, Cartago. This view is looking east across the city towards Costa Rica’s national museum, a former military barracks.
October 24, 2025 at 10:55 AM
The San Jose, Costa Rica was founded in the 1730s, and became the country’s capital in 1823. It replaced the earlier colonial capital, Cartago. This view is looking east across the city towards Costa Rica’s national museum, a former military barracks.
The story behind this image is unclear, but it is possible that it shows the “Pasadena,” an airship built by Augustus Roy Knabenshue. Built in 1912, the “Pasadena” began scheduled trips across California in 1913.
October 23, 2025 at 11:00 AM
The story behind this image is unclear, but it is possible that it shows the “Pasadena,” an airship built by Augustus Roy Knabenshue. Built in 1912, the “Pasadena” began scheduled trips across California in 1913.