History

May 7, 2017

Jacob Riis: The Photographer Who Showed “How the Other Half Lives” in 1890s NYC

In 1870, 21-year-old Jacob Riis immigrated from his home in Denmark to bustling New York City. With only $40, a gold locket housing the hair of the girl he had left behind, and dreams of working as a carpenter, he sought a better life in the United States of America. Unfortunately, when he arrived in the city, he immediately faced a myriad of obstacles.

Read Article

April 18, 2017

Frida Kahlo’s Colorful Wardrobe Finally Revealed After Being Hidden for 50 Years

Long after her death in 1954, artist Frida Kahlo continues to be a household name. Her intriguing—and now iconic—paintings and personal style have endured through the years and still inspire people today. Like her art, her clothing was full of color and had a visual richness that remains perpetually en vogue. But perhaps best of all, the objects she owned provide us insight to her life behind closed doors.

Read Article

April 12, 2017

Enchanting ‘Lichtenstein Castle’ Is a Real Life Fairy Tale You Can Visit

Fairy tales aren’t just for story books—there are plenty of them that seemingly exist in the real world, too. The enchanting Lichtenstein Castle, located in southern Germany, is one place that looks like it could be a dramatic setting for knights and fair maidens. First built in the 12th century and added onto in the 19th century, the palace sits on a cliff in the Swabian Alps and overlooks picturesque rolling hills below.

Read Article

April 2, 2017

19th-Century Tool Box Is Meticulously Designed to Hold 300 Tools

Any good woodworker has a decent toolbox, but no one has ever created something as special as the Studley Tool Chest. This beauty is 20×40 inches when closed (40×40 inches when open) and contains 300 tools within its carefully crafted mahogany rosewood, ebony, and mother-of-pearl case. As interesting as the piece itself is, it has a long history, which at one point saw it displayed in the Smithsonian.

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.