History

April 23, 2025

The “Most Lifelike” Image of Abraham Lincoln May Fetch up to $1 Million at Auction

Decades after Abraham Lincoln’s death, George B. Ayres created a photograph of the renowned president. Ayres produced the interpositive between 1895 and 1900 from an original negative of a portrait taken by Alexander Hesler in 1860 for Lincoln’s first presidential campaign. Now, this singular image of Lincoln is finally up for sale, and is expected to fetch anywhere from $800,000 to $1 million at auction.

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April 4, 2025

Trump Executive Order Forces Changes to the Smithsonian To Eliminate “Ideological Indoctrination or Divisive Narratives”

Since 1847, the Smithsonian Institute has worked to spread knowledge and preserve America's national heritage. With a historical archive of over 157 items spread across 21 museums, 21 libraries, 14 education and research centers, a zoo, and historical and architectural landmarks, the institution's importance cannot be understated.  However, after President Donald Trump released an executive order on March 27, there will be big changes to how the Smithsonian presents American history.

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March 2, 2025

Unique 100-Year-Old Clothes Dryer Unfolds From the Wall Like an Umbrella

As with many other innovations, the Romans can be credited with developing the first public laundry service. At a fullonica, the cleaning process involved vigorous stamping by feet in vats or tubs before hanging clothing on a viminea cavea, a basket-woven structure that resembles a clothes dryer. Clothing dryers have naturally evolved since then, but one from 100 years ago still elicits a sense of wonder.

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January 23, 2025

Missing Medieval Chess Piece Discovered in Family Home After 200 Years, Now Worth Nearly $1M

The Lewis Chessmen, discovered in 1831 on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, are renowned as the most famous chess pieces from history. Often described as an “important symbol of European civilization,” this mysterious chess set offers a fascinating glimpse into life during the medieval era. Of the original set, 82 pieces are on display in the British Museum in London, while 11 are displayed in the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.

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My Modern Met

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