Posts by Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis

Madeleine Muzdakis is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and a historian of early modern Britain & the Atlantic world. She holds a BA in History and Mathematics from Brown University and an MA in European & Russian Studies from Yale University. Madeleine has worked in archives and museums for years with a particular focus on photography and arts education. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys hiking, film photography, and studying law while cuddling with her cat Georgia.
Art History
November 27, 2023

Medieval Masterpiece Found in Elderly Woman’s Kitchen Is Now Headed to the Louvre

What's hanging in your kitchen? Maybe a stylized picture of fruit or just pots and pans hung on the walls to save space. One elderly woman in Compiegne, France, had what she believed to be a Greek religious icon hung in her kitchen. The tiny 8-inch by 10-inch painting may have appeared to the woman to be a simple Biblical scene—certainly old, but not otherwise remarkable.

Read Article

Funny
November 24, 2023

Before Google, People Asked Public Librarians Their Questions

What do you do when you have a question? These days most people turn to the Google search bar. But back in the 20th century, knowledgeable people were the search bars and libraries full of books were the internet. If you had a question in 1966, you could call your local librarian and ask them to point you in the direction of the best resource.

Read Article

Archeology
November 23, 2023

West Point Opens 200-Year-Old Time Capsule and Uncovers Six Silver Early American Coins

West Point is known as a prestigious military academy, producing many of the nation's generals since its founding in 1802. Known officially as the United States Military Academy, it can also count two American presidents among its alumni. Such a long history is sure to come with good and bad moments, and even a few surprises. Recently, renovations uncovered a box hidden in the base of a statue of a Revolutionary War hero.

Read Article

Creative Products
November 16, 2023

25 Nostalgic Throwback Gifts To Make You Feel Like You’re Back in the ‘90s

What's your favorite memory of the '90s? Your answer will likely depend on your age, but there's no doubt it'll include some sort of trend that seems long lost. Gen X college students ordered pizza via landlines while wearing flannels and loose high-waisted Levis, millennial kids were trying to keep their Tamagotchis alive, and Gen Z babies were being introduced to their first Tickle Me Elmo dolls. It felt like we had it all!

Read Article

My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.