Isaac Funk was a man ahead of his time, an editor, lexicographer, publisher, spelling reformer, and prohibitionist. Frankly, Funk might never have come to my attention but for a flea market find. Read More +
Political cartoons predict the future
Author Archives: Suzanne Meredith
Burning stones: Mining history tells a dark tale
Despair settled in the grimy creases of a face made old through wear. His lungs sucked heavy dust with every breath, his bones deformed from repetitive labor. His hands are cut, and often bleed from handling thousands of stone shards. The boy is 8 years old and for whatever reason he has been sold to the “company store” to live and probably die in a coal mine. Read More +
Requiem for a restaurant: Pierce’s, since 1894
ELMIRA, N.Y. – Picture a restaurant in the same location for more than 100 years, since 1894 to be exact, and run all that time by one family. Read More +
Take these postcards with a grain of salt
The history of salt is the history of the earth. More than 500 million years ago many areas of the globe were under the vast oceans. As the sea retreated from the land mighty deposits of salt were left behind, often hundreds of feet thick. Read More +
Don’t throw these hats into the ring
Ever wonder what a “mad hatter” could be? Or a plumassier? They are both components in the language of the hat. And, someone thought enough of chapeaus to put several varieties on postcards … often to poke fun at fashion. Read More +
Bunnies, buns and bouquets
Holidays are not all that simple. Many have religious roots that have been converted to secular events and secular events converted to religious ones. Springtide, or Easter seems to be one of the oldest rites celebrating the rebirth of the earth – or resurrection. Read More +
Coney Island
Long before Walt Disney created mega entertainment locations, there was a place known throughout the world as the premier amusement destination – Coney Island. Read More +
Levittown: The birth of the ‘burbs
Suburban living comes in many forms. When my dad returned home from serving in WWII there was no housing available. Today, at 87 years old, he reminisces that he would have been grateful for a Quonset hut or an apartment but neither could be found, so for several years he and mom lived with the in-laws. Read More +
Let George do it
Fact and fiction about the first president of the United States Read More +
The candlestick telephone
Alexander Graham Bell had no idea what his communication device would turn into—or the effect it would have on civilization. Read More +