Minding the GAPE – March 2025

Golden Age or new Gilded Age, the Statue of Liberty, a historian’s family history, pedestrianism and politics, documenting Black dance history, the Teddy Bear’s failed possum rival, and much more.

Minding the GAPE – February 2025

The life of Black feminist activist Dr. Anna Julia Cooper, a covert government agency in the Progressive Era, coercive tariffs under McKinley, marriage records of the Freedmen’s Bureau, the origins of Black financial institutions, and much more.

Minding the GAPE – December 2024

Rereleasing an 1891 country song recording, evolving depictions of Santa Claus, historical holiday drinks and the history of punch, Black self-publishers, acrimonious elections of the past, investigating deaths at Indian boarding schools, and much more

Minding the GAPE – July 2024

Rhubarb recipes, designing Times Square, presidential age concerns of the past, violence against elected officials in historical context, keeping cool before air conditioning, centuries of the “cat lady” trope, and much more.

Minding the GAPE – June 2024

“Forty Acres and a Lie,” the life of Nellie Bly, Coca-Cola and racism, a dangerous flying machine, a new database for African American genealogy, historical cat photos, and much more.

Minding the GAPE – February 2024

The first Black-owned public hospital, the “Delsarte method” for Black women’s self-care, the material culture of Valentine’s Day, cleaning up the mess of Carnival season, a chaotic yet cost-effective sewing pattern, and much more.