Exploring how pasta became a symbol in fascist-era Italy and its political culinary politics, shaping national identity and cuisine debates.

Explore how medieval feasts and table customs signaled rank, wealth, and power, revealing status and splendor through dining rituals.

From hands to utensils: explore a century of eating habits, tools, and the cultural shift shaping how we dine today.

Pocket-Sized Realities: Everyday objects carried by WWII soldiers—uncover tiny tools, talismans, and gear that shaped daily life on the front lines.

Explore medieval Europe’s social hubs before coffee: markets, inns, and monasteries shaping daily life, culture, and conversation across towns.

If you picture bedtime a few centuries ago, you might imagine a candle flickering low, a heavy bed curtain drawn tight, and a soft cap pulled snugly over the sleeper’s head. Nightcaps show up so often in early modern portraits and literature that they can feel like a quaint cliché. But for the people who wore them, these caps served practical, medical, and even social purposes. They were, in short, small garments with a surprisingly large job. Here’s a look at why they were worn. Keeping Warm in a Cold World One of the simplest reasons for nightcaps is also one of the most important: warmth. Before the widespread use of central heating, homes were notoriously cold at night. Even well-to-do households relied on fireplaces that burned down after bedtime, leaving rooms chilly by morning. Drafts slipped through ill-fitting windows and doors, and …Read More