1. Witches and Butter In early America, butter wasn’t just food, it was almost mystical. People believed witches could spoil a churn of butter with nothing more than a curse. If the butter refused to thicken, families didn’t blame technique, […]
1. Leech Collector In the 18th and 19th centuries, bloodletting was a common medical treatment, and leeches were in high demand. Leech collectors waded into marshes and ponds to catch them, often letting the slimy creatures attach to their legs
1. Lawn Darts (a.k.a. Jarts) Backyard barbecues in the ’70s and ’80s often included a round of lawn darts, but these weren’t the lightweight plastic toys we see today. These darts were heavy, with sharp metal tips meant to stick
1. Radium Water Back in the early 20th century, people believed that drinking radium-infused water would revitalize their bodies and give them boundless energy. It was sold as a kind of health tonic, and wealthy folks would pay top dollar
1. The Bell Witch Cave, Adams, Tennessee Tucked away in the woods of Tennessee, the Bell Witch Cave is said to be haunted by the vengeful spirit of the Bell family’s tormentor, Kate. According to local legend, she tormented the
1. Lynnewood Hall – Elkins Park, Pennsylvania Lynnewood Hall was built in 1897 for industrialist Peter A.B. Widener, and for a while, it was the crown jewel of Gilded Age luxury. With 110 rooms, sprawling grounds, and priceless artwork, it
1. Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci was celebrated as a painter, inventor, and thinker, but after his death in 1519, notebooks he had kept hidden revealed a whole new side of him. These journals were crammed with sketches of
