M. Brett
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mebrett.bsky.social
M. Brett
@mebrett.bsky.social
1.2K followers 420 following 320 posts
Historian (public, digital, Early United States), now in Libraries/Archives. You might have known me as magpie on the birdsite. All views expressed/re-posted here are solely mine & do not reflect any employer past, present, or future.
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mebrett.bsky.social
When I was at @scholarslab.bsky.social last week, I snagged a copy of this zine to give to my sister. We both played around on muxes and muds back in the day (aka the 90s).
Anyone remember MicroMuse?
(Also, I need to get a copy of the file so I can print this for some of my friends from those days)
A zine called "Let's Make a MUD! Exploring text-based multiplayer worlds with GoMUD Engine" clipped to a rack of zines.
November 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Sign of a great conference with thoughtful organizers: materials for play/de-stressing in the exhibit hall. #NCPH2025
A table with an assortment of stickers, coloring books, and activity books along with some colored pencils.
March 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
This exhibit was right up my alley - costume balls as popular history. At the McCord Stewart #NCPH2025
Entrance signage for the exhibit “Habiller l’historie/dressing up history 1870-1927"
March 27, 2025 at 5:11 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Roughly speaking, this is my cat’s birthday. Happy 18th, JackJack!
A white and black cat
February 1, 2025 at 8:51 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Today is also National Pie Day (yes I know I know but that’s Pi day). We celebrate at my workplace with a potluck. Behold my apple pie (store bought crust):
Close up of a pie with messy crust and a slice taken out.
January 23, 2025 at 6:41 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Made things today. Participated in a “dream cloud” activity at the local creative reuse store. Tonight I made carrot-parsnip soup, using the lightsaber immersion blender my friend/nonBio cousin gave me.
An immersion blender in a pot of carrot soup. The blender is red and the handle looks like the handle of a lightsaber
January 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Not on display after all - I was worried the birds would come poop on it and take its “hair” (which is falling out)
Put the photo under a "graphic" label because it used to scare the heck out of me as a kid. It's just a (scary) wooden mask.
A hand-carved wooden krampus mask. The face is that of a snarling ogre-like monster, with large fangs protruding from the lower jaw. The eyes are slightly crossed and the carved eyebrows are huge and wavy. Two real horns rise from the 'hair' made of sheep's fleece, which is falling away in places and is dusted with cedar shavings as a result of long storage.
December 4, 2024 at 2:16 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Here is the very good dog who works at the Portland (Maine) airport, with his own little L.L. Bean canvas bag.
An elderly golden retriever walking on a leash. In his mouth, he is carrying a small canvas bag with a stuck-on “W” monogram.
November 21, 2024 at 2:42 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Attending a celebration of life tomorrow and the deceased ask that attendees dress “whimsical and melancholy” with red accents. She was a master crafter, so I made a crochet fascinator to wear. #dhmakes
A small crocheted flat black spiral with red along the top of the spiral. There is a feather poking out from the hat and a tulle veil stitched in the opposite side from the feathers.
November 16, 2024 at 5:35 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Check out this adorable pumpkin I acquired on Saturday! I'm not sure if it's two that grew together, or one that grew double. Pictured here with the other table-sized pumpkins I purchased (to be displayed throughout Decorative Gourd Season)
Three pumpkins on a wood patio table. The far left pumpkin looks like two small green pumpkins overlapping by a third - the right half is at a 30 degree angle to the part that sits on the table, but they have one long stem. Next to it on the table are an orange and yellow striped pumpkin, a small orange pumpkin, and a stylized metal figurine of a mouse sitting on its hind legs. A green and white pumpkin that looks to be two pumpkins grown together. The right half is at a 30 degree angle to the left, with one long stem growing out of where the two halves come together.
October 28, 2024 at 12:05 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Had a museum day on Saturday (Folger, DAR, and Renwick briefly). I really appreciated this feature of labels at DAR and Folger - drawing connections between objects in different cases and parts of the exhibit space.

Images are from “Imprints in Time” at Folger and “Sewn in America” at DAR
Close up of exhibit label for a book of poetry. The bottom of the label has suggestions for thematic connections to other objects on display. Close up of an exhibit label for visible mending pieces. Text at the bottom of the label suggests thematic connections to another part of the exhibit.
June 27, 2024 at 3:47 PM
mebrett.bsky.social
Hey Virginia - primaries today for US House and Senate. Go vote!
Close up of a sticker saying “I voted today!”
June 18, 2024 at 12:16 PM