Coming Soon

Throughout its history, Arkansas has had numerous disasters, ranging from terrible urban fires to devastating river floods. Before the advent of modern weather radar, freakish tornados could drop out of dark clouds without a warning. Lives and livelihoods were taken, while lifetimes of savings invested in homes and businesses were lost in a day.

The worst fire in Arkansas history wiped out 50 square blocks of Hot Springs in 1913, while others gutted entire blocks of Little Rock. Floods 10 years apart—1927 and 1937—rank as the worst in Arkansas history, putting over one million acres underwater. The deadliest tornado ever in Arkansas struck Judsonia and White County in 1952, only barely eclipsing the death toll of Brinkley in 1909. Sheer heartbreak was evident as people stood helplessly watching the flames, gauging the rise of floodwaters, or surveying the aftermath of a terrible tornado.

Ray Hanley is one of the most published historians in Arkansas, with 22 books in print. Since 1986, he has produced a daily statewide newspaper feature, Arkansas Postcard Past, in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Utilizing historic photographs and postcards, often taken before the fires were out or the floodwaters had receded, he tells the story of the disasters that have befallen his state since the 1890s.

Discover the ancient roots, cultures, legends, and enduring history of Louisiana’s Native peoples.

Indians of Louisiana traces the history of the first Native peoples who arrived in Louisiana more than 1,000 years ago, exploring their journeys, cultures, customs, and lasting influence on the region. Drawing on archaeological evidence and historical research, Fred B. Kniffen reconstructs the story of Louisiana’s earliest inhabitants and examines the development of their societies, traditions, and material culture.

The book also preserves Native legends and follows the history of Louisiana’s Indigenous peoples into more modern times, offering readers a broader view of their place in the state’s history. From archaeology and early settlement to traditions, beliefs, and cultural change, Indians of Louisiana provides an accessible introduction to the people and cultures that helped shape Louisiana’s past.

What began as a humble Christmas Eve meal became a story of heritage, resilience, and rediscovery.

Every December, the Feast of the Seven Fishes Festival brings to life the rich holiday tradition of La Vigilia as it journeyed from Southern Italy to the heart of Appalachia, where immigrant families transformed a sacred seafood supper into a vibrant expression of identity and community. It all began when a forgotten family feast was revived in a coal-town kitchen and a grassroots festival grew into a beloved regional celebration—eventually inspiring an unlikely comic strip and a feature film.

Blending cultural history with deeply personal storytelling, Shannon Colaianni Tinnell captures the laughter, labor, and love behind an enduring Christmas ritual while offering over one hundred authentic, time-honored recipes drawn from more than twenty years of Festival Cucina. Warm, vivid, and unforgettable, this is more than a book about food—it’s a celebration of the stories we carry and the meals that keep them alive.

Lakeside Inn is the nucleus of Mount Dora that offers the legacy of frontier Florida. An adventurous and courageous team of pioneers formed a partnership to erect a hotel that was spearheaded by attorney Colonel John M. Alexander, who recruited newcomers to visit and relocate to Central Florida. The partnership of Alexander with Colonel MacDonald and Donnelly family contributed to the early vision of a Florida Inn.

The flourishing orange culture and the intellectual components of Chautauqua shaped the evolving communities and influenced the historic and artistic spirit of modern-day Mount Dora.

Traditionally a seasonal hotel, the recreational oasis is sought after year-round by visitors and organizations who can glimpse a hint of the Gilded age and marvel at the experiences of legendary guests.

Thirteen Master Carvers. One Enduring Legacy

For generations, Cherokee people in North Carolina shaped their world with their hands. Every object needed to live, work, and gather—from tools to ceremonial items—was made through practiced skill and shared knowledge. Rooted in an oral tradition, Cherokee history is preserved not primarily through written records, but through material culture. These objects stand as living evidence of belief systems, values, and continuity passed from one generation to the next.

Wood carving occupies a vital place within this tradition. Although time, environmental loss, and forced disruption have erased much early archaeological evidence, the knowledge itself endured. Unlike many craft traditions that faded with the rise of mass-produced goods, Cherokee carving remained a respected and active practice. Hand skill, technique, and cultural meaning continued to be valued, refined, and taught.

Pipes, masks, figures, sculpture, and bas-relief carvings from the early twentieth century to the present illustrate the depth, craftsmanship, and cultural meaning of Cherokee carving traditions. Each piece was made with intention—whether functional, ceremonial, or ornamental—and reflects a deep connection between the maker and the community. These carvings are expressive and tactile, shaped by both personal vision and shared heritage.

Biographical profiles explore the lives and creative paths of thirteen accomplished Cherokee carvers, offering insight into their training, influences, and responsibilities as cultural bearers. Together, the works and stories presented form a clear record of Cherokee carving as a living tradition—one defined by resilience, innovation, and mastery.

Anna Fariello is a cultural curator and researcher who, through Curatorial insight, has organized more than forty museum exhibitions, heritage sites, and archival collections documenting traditional craft and material culture.