What are your humanities highlights from the week? Read our team’s favorite finds below!
Bronwen Fetters, executive assistant and program associate:
- We know that writers throughout the ages have been inspired by the writers who they read, knew and studied. I like this infographic that shows the ten most influential poets in history and their scope of influence—even though all ten of them are men! So it goes…
- Hermione. Jo March. Violet Baudelaire. LOVE this blog post from the New York Public Library that lists some of the best brainy girls in children’s literature.
Jacqueline Cromleigh, communications and community relations manager:
- Our Next Indiana Campfire excursions have made me a big fan of Pultizer winner Mary Oliver. The beloved poet discusses concentration, interruption and creativity in this beautiful article.
- Love Milkshake Bars, Reggie! Bars and PB Max? Read up on the history of these five discontinued candies in a conversation with candy historians. What a fantastic job title!
Leah Nahmias, director of programs:
- The New York Times’ Lens blog features photographic dispatches from across the globe. Two essays this week moved me: this one on Bangladeshi immigrant teens who play cricket in New York City and this other on Gaelic-speakers’ lives on the remote islands of Western Scotland.
- Archaeology news! DNA testing links 300-year old baby skeleton to Maryland’s colonial governor. I first learned about this mysterious burial in an exhibit at Jamestown National Park, which has incredible exhibits about how archaeology is helping historians better understand 17th century Chesapeake life.
George Hanlin, director of grants:
- In this season of political discontent, we’ve seen just how important it is to foster respectful dialogue about important issues—and how quickly we can go off the rails when we listen only to ourselves and belittle those we don’t agree with. Former Indiana senator Richard Lugar has ideas around how we can address this, and author John Krull shares them in an essay he wrote for NUVO.
- As Jacqueline mentioned, this summer and fall we’ve featured the poems of Mary Oliver on many of our Next Indiana Campfires. I’m eager to read a new collection of her essays, which NPR touts as “a kind of sporadic spiritual autobiography.”
Keira Amstutz, president and CEO:
- Arsenic and old lace? Mad hatters? Just in time for Halloween…here’s a fascinating look at deadly fashion
- Eat your way through the evolution of food preservation at the Indiana Historical Society’s Tasting History event. We’re talking beer, cheese and pickles. Reserve your spot here!
Kristen Fuhs Wells, director of communications and development:
- Have you ever wondered why museums and other historic sites don’t let you take photos? Here’s an interesting read on five reasons behind the bans.
- I love that libraries, like the New York Public Library, still have human “search engines.” The CityLab article also includes fun questions over the years which have been included in sort of a “hall of fame” of inquiries
Want to share a few of your favorite links? We would love to hear from you in the comment section below.
Posted In: Miscellaneous