Author Archives: ahcadmin

Railroad Romance and Reality: Unpacking the Legacy of Railways in America

Posted on June 5, 2023 by ahcadmin

Documents and photographs found in the American Heritage Center’s collections can be used to explore the ways in which railways have been and are perceived in American society. Examples of these are on exhibit in “The Art of the Railroad” … Continue reading →

Posted in Economic History, exhibits, Railroad History, Toppan Rare Books Library, Transportation history, Uncategorized, Western history | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Donald Vining Diaries – A Fifty Year Chronicle of a Gay Man’s Life

Posted on May 29, 2023 by ahcadmin

June is Pride Month, an opportune time to highlight the unique diaries of Donald Vining. Vining was a diarist from the very beginning. At the age of eight, he began documenting his day-to-day activities. He wrote one line, largely practical … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors and literature, Diaries, LGBTQIA+, Uncategorized | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Dreaming of Caucasia: Georgia Then and Now with Joseph Becker Phillips

Posted on May 22, 2023 by ahcadmin

In 2019, I was visiting a dear friend living at the time in Tbilisi, Georgia. After a week or so getting to know the city—ancient, Soviet, and modern—and experiencing first hand Georgia’s legendary hospitality (including endless toasts with, of course, … Continue reading →

Posted in International Collections, Journalism, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“What Did the President Know, and When Did He Know It?” – The Watergate Hearings of 1973

Posted on May 15, 2023 by ahcadmin

May 17, 2023, marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the hearings of the Senate Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities. More commonly known as the Watergate hearings, the inquiry focused the attention of the American public on the activities … Continue reading →

Posted in American history, Political history, Scandals, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Summer Travels, On a Wing and a Prayer

Posted on May 8, 2023 by ahcadmin

So, you’re doing some air travel for the summer? Perhaps you’re anticipating the destination, but not the journey itself. We can commiserate. Yes, there can be many vexations with modern air travel, even in the 21st century. As annoying as … Continue reading →

Posted in aviation, aviation history, Holidays, Photographic collections, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Shopping Big in The Netherlands

Posted on May 1, 2023 by ahcadmin

Shopping malls have provided communities with convenient shopping options and social gathering spaces for decades but have seen a decline in popularity across the United States. In Europe, however, they seem to continue to supply these things. The largest shopping … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Built environment, Retail history, Shopping centers, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

True Crime Obsessed: The Literary Figures Who Contributed to the Craze and the Stories That Feed It

Posted on April 24, 2023 by ahcadmin

With the current plethora of media – documentaries, podcasts, books, and biopics of serial killers – it’s no wonder true crime is so popular. But it isn’t just today’s societies that have this obsession. The love for true crime stories … Continue reading →

Posted in Authors and literature, Book history, Crime, Interns' projects, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Prints Profoundly Proper: Unveiling the Works of George Cruikshank

Posted on April 17, 2023 by ahcadmin

George Cruikshank (1792-1878) was an English caricaturist known for creating political satire pieces and famous illustrations for notable authors like Charles Dickens. While taking printmaking classes, I came across his name multiple times. This piqued my interest to learn more … Continue reading →

Posted in 19th century, Artists, Authors and literature, Book history, Interns' projects, Toppan Rare Books Library, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Fascinating Life of Nellie Bly

Posted on April 10, 2023 by ahcadmin

Elizabeth Cochrane was born in 1867 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Little is known about her early life except that she grew up in a large family and was particularly independent minded. While still a teenager, she was offended by a Pittsburgh … Continue reading →

Posted in American history, Journalism, Uncategorized, women's history | Tagged , | Leave a comment

From Talking Movies to Looney Tunes – Celebrating 100 Years of Warner Brothers

Posted on April 3, 2023 by ahcadmin

April 4, 2023, marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Warner Brothers Pictures. Here at the American Heritage Center, we have the papers of some of the creative personalities behind the films for which Warner Brothers is revered. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation, cartoons, Hollywood history, motion picture history, music, popular culture, television history, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment