Whether plain or fancy, antique kerosene lamps like these were more than home decor – they made it possible for people to work and play late into the night. Find out more here!
1850
Crystal chandeliers have been a symbol of luxury and opulence since the 18th century. If you’re wondering what crystal chandeliers used to look like, take a peek below at these vintage photos!
The history of Levi’s jeans shows that the power of a really good idea – like super-durable clothing that people like to wear – can make for a business that stays strong for more than 160 years.
See how gazebos became one of America’s favorite outdoor retreats with a look back at some vintage styles and backyard designs!
In the 1950s, the petticoat crinoline made a triumphant return to the fashion scene for skirts and dresses, with a bounce in its step and a swish in its sway.
Toby Jugs came to America in the 1700s and quickly became a favorite collectible. Check out these examples of the art form!
As long as antique buttons have adorned our clothing and shoes, people have been collecting them. Made from a multitude of materials – from metal to bone, wood to plastic – buttons are miniature pieces of everyday history.
Here’s a guide for men who want to marry, from popping the question to the wedding reception – well, if you lived before the Civil War, that is.
Before photography, you could keep memories of loved ones close by getting portrait miniatures painted. Now they’re highly-collectible antiques! Here’s a look at some of this classic artwork.
If you’ve been on social media and have been seeing the term ‘sea shanties’ a lot lately, get the basics here about these old songs that have been around for centuries.
Even today, there are ships buried under downtown San Francisco that you might walk over, on land reclaimed from the Bay thanks to the Gold Rush.
While books and articles on America’s slave trade can offer important historical insight, seeing ads for slave auctions casually placed in newspapers of the era really brings the brutality home.
How did the great Gold Rush of 1849 get started? Find out its history, how it made people rich and poor – and helped make California what it is today.
There were very specific rules to follow when dating – or courting, as they called it – back before the Civil War. Here’s a look.
Love letters A gentleman is struck with the appearance of a lady and is desirous of her acquaintance, but there are no means within his
Vintage wedding dress fashions from 1846 19th-century Victorian wedding dresses (1850) Bride from the 1800s The Diamond Wedding at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, October 13, 1859
