18th century - Kirsten Hammerstrom

Three masted ship Kalmar Nyckel with whales off her right bow

Research

A Voyage from London to Philadelphia in 1772

Posted on August 2, 2026 by kittycalash

In July 1772, James Reynolds kept a journal of his voyage from London to Philadelphia on the ship Mary and Elizabeth.

History/Living History/Research

Let Us Now Praise Famous (Wo)Men

Posted on July 6, 2026 by kittycalash

The heck with Betsy Ross. I’m someone you’ve never heard of before, but whom you’ll be glad you met.

A portriat of John and Elizabeth Cadwadler in eighteenth century clothing stand next to their toddler, Anne, who sits on a shiny mahogany table

History/Research

Empire in a Frame: The Cadwalader Family Portrait

Posted on July 5, 2026 by kittycalash

The Charles Willson Peale portrait of John Cadwalader and his family contains the British Empire and the coming revolution in one object. From the canvas to the...

A Silk Sacque/Clothing/History/making things

Short Stuff

Posted on June 11, 2026 by kittycalash

At some point, I came across The Charlatan by Léonard Defrance, sold by Sotheby’s in 2023, and became obsessed with the woman in grey and her problematic calash...