#Lightner Museum

[littleastrobleme]

Art Nouveau stained glass

[adamscake]

[wozziebear]

Finally able to get over to St. Augustine to see the Nights of Lights holiday event. There are dozens of pics to sort through but here are 2 that stood out for now

[rabbitcruiser]

International Museum Day 

Visit a local museum and learn about anything from art to ancient history to aerospace. Many museums also offer virtual tours online, if you can’t get out.

Few places in our world are more educational than museums. After all, where else could we hope to see so many pieces of actual history that tell so many stories about our ancestors? From prehistoric spears to Egyptian mummies, from ancient Greek sculptures to medieval armor, and from the first radio to the first planes used in war during WWI, museums have it all. Unfortunately, there are millions of people with direct access to museums that have never even visited one.

There are many possible reasons for this–perhaps they think just looking at old things would be boring, or perhaps they are unaware just how different the world was in the past and see no reason to take an interest. Whatever the reason for not taking advantage of the incredible amount of tangible knowledge museums offer, and regardless of age, International Museum Day is the time to invest in education in its most fascinating form.

Many people may ask why they would invest in something like International Museum Day when modern technology can give them all the answers that they may need. Well, to answer that fairly, all you need to do is a little Google search.

Nowadays, if you need to find an answer to something, you can surely just jump online and get it right? Well, yes, but what you need to realize is that the answer you get is quite possibly wrong.

A study conducted in 2016 on how many of the historical facts you find online were true, had some shocking results. It seems as of November 2016, over 48% of all available historical facts available online are inaccurate or downright wrong. So, taking this into account, you may want to place your fair elsewhere.

The truth is, education is important, so days like International Museum Day should be something to get yourself and your young ones excited for; after all, while there will be children filling their heads with nonsense, you have the ability to fill your children with knowledgey goodness.

History of International Museum Day

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) created International Museum Day in 1977. The organization chooses a different theme for the day and coordinates every year. Some of the themes include globalization, indigenous peoples, bridging cultural gaps, and caring for the environment.

Every year since 1977, all of the museums in the world are invited to participate in this day to promote the role of museums around the world, by organizing enjoyable and free activities around the year’s theme.

International Museum Day has become steadily more popular since its creation, with International Museum Day 2009 being participated in by 20,000 museums in over 90 countries. In 2012, the number of participating museums had jumped to 30,000 in 129 countries.

As the years have gone by, we have been blessed to live in a society where while technology seems to want to take over, there have been certain things that are now considered cool that were once reserved for a very target demographic.

While the numbers of participants were slowly climbing almost a decade ago, over the last five years, the numbers are climbing at an even more rapid rate. When we look at this, we may ask ourselves why, and the truth is simple, history is now something that is classed as cool.

Yes, we may live in a technology-driven society, but it seems that the more technology has reigned over the world, people have started to gravitate towards the things that connect them to a world they are scared of losing.

Today, there are more visitors to museums all over the world than ever before, and more than this, there are now more people studying history at degree level than at any point in history.

Now, it may be possible that this is just a point where geek chic is in, and students want to seem more cultural and in touch with the world, but if we stop for a brief moment, could it not be possible that International Museum Day has played a small role in helping entire new generations fall in love with history once again?

The truth may, in fact, be both, but one thing we must remember is that While it may not be as popular as some days, International Museum Day is something that should be held in high importance.

The further we move forward, the more we leave behind, and with all of the things that are now long behind us, we need something to help us remember where we have been, that way, we can take the journey ahead of us with more confidence.

How to celebrate International Museum Day

There is no better way to celebrate International Museum Day than to take a trip down to a nearby museum, either alone, with friends, or even your children if you feel they are old enough to appreciate the place. Depending on where you live, the museums you might be closest to could be ones connected with anything from farming to fashion, from astronomy to archaeology, from art to natural history. If it turns out that the museums in your immediate area are not ones that would interest you, maybe you could consider a day trip to a nearby city to visit a museum better suited to your interests? Carpooling with a friend or two will make the trip cheaper and very possibly more interesting.

Another thing to think about is how well you tolerate crowds. International Museum Day is an increasingly popular worldwide event, so it is quite probable that many of the larger and better-known museums will be pretty crowded on this day, especially since many museums do not charge an entrance fee then. If you do not feel like standing in long lines to see every single thing or having to maneuver your way through crowds of people, paying more attention to not stepping on anyone’s shoes than the objects on exhibition, you may want to visit the museum of your choice a few days before or after International Museum Day.

On weekdays, museums are often quiet places where one can come to study our ancestors’ lifestyles and contemplate what motivated them to behave and develop as they did. However you decide to celebrate Museum day, don’t let this opportunity to find out about the history of the human race go to waste!

Source

[davidbeverly9]

[strange-alien11]

The Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall was a guarded concretebarrier that encircled West Berlin of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG; West Germany) from 1961 to 1989, separating it from East Berlin and the German Democratic Republic (GDR; East Germany). Construction of the Berlin Wall was commenced by the government of the GDR on 13 August 1961. It included guard towers placed along large concrete walls, accompanied by a wide area (later known as the "death strip") that contained anti-vehicle trenches, beds of nails and other defenses. The primary intention for the Wall's construction was to prevent East German citizens from fleeing to the West.

Soon after the construction of the Berlin Wall in August 1961, a stand-off occurred between US and Soviet tanks on either side of Checkpoint Charlie. It began on 22 October as a dispute over whether East German border guards were authorized to examine the travel documents of a US diplomat based in West Berlin named Allan Lightner heading to East Berlin to watch an opera show there, since according to the agreement between all four Allied powers occupying Germany, there was to be free movement for Allied forces in Berlin and that no German military forces from either West Germany or East Germany were to be based in the city, and moreover the Western Allies did not (initially) recognise the East German state and its right to remain in its self-declared capital of East Berlin.

The Death of Peter Fechter

On 17 August 1962, a teenaged East German, Peter Fechter, was shot in the pelvis by East German guards while trying to escape from East Berlin. His body lay tangled in a barbed wire fence as he bled to death in full view of the world's media. He could not be rescued from West Berlin because he was a few metres inside the Soviet sector. East German border guards were reluctant to approach him for fear of provoking Western soldiers, one of whom had shot an East German border guard just days earlier. More than an hour later, Fechter's body was removed by the East German guards. A spontaneous demonstration formed on the American side of the checkpoint, protesting against the action of the East and the inaction of the West.

During the years of the Wall, around 5,000 people successfully defected to West Berlin. The number of people who died trying to cross the Wall, or as a result of the Wall's existence, has been disputed. The most vocal claims by Alexandra Hildebrandt, director of the Checkpoint Charlie Museum and widow of the museum's founder, estimated the death toll to be well above 200.

The East German government issued shooting orders (Schießbefehl) to border guards dealing with defectors, though such orders are not the same as "shoot to kill" orders. GDR officials denied issuing the latter.

In an October 1973 order later discovered by researchers, guards were instructed that people attempting to cross the Wall were criminals and needed to be shot

Do not hesitate to use your firearm, not even when the border is breached in the company of women and children, which is a tactic the traitors have often used

Fall

1989 Günter Schabowski, the party boss in East Berlin and the spokesman for the SED Politburo, had the task of announcing the new regulations. However, he had not been involved in the discussions about the new regulations and had not been fully updated Shortly before a press conference on 9 November, he was handed a note announcing the changes, but given no further instructions on how to handle the information. These regulations had only been completed a few hours earlier and were to take effect the following day, so as to allow time to inform the border guards. But this starting time delay was not communicated to Schabowski. At the end of the press conference, Schabowski read out loud the note he had been given. A reporter, ANSA's Riccardo Ehrman, asked when the regulations would take effect. After a few seconds' hesitation, Schabowski replied, "As far as I know, it takes effect immediately, without delay". After hearing the broadcast, East Germans began gathering at the Wall, at the six checkpoints between East and West Berlin, demanding that border guards immediately open the gates. The evening of 9 November 1989 is known as the night the Wall came down.

[bestiarium]

The Natmas [Vanuatu mythology]

Vanuatu is a small country in Oceania, consisting of a group of islands. Each of these islands have differing cultural and religious norms, but ancestor spirits featured heavily in the religions of many of these communities. On the island of Aneityum, people worshipped Natmas, which were the spirits of deceased ancestors.

Sharks played a somewhat important role in the religion of the Aneityum people, for when a person died, their soul became a Natmas – a spirit – and was transported by a shark to the ocean of the dead, which was the afterlife in Aneityum mythology.

Yet this didn’t always mean the ‘end’ for a Natmas spirit, as many of them remained in the world of the living. In fact, Natmas were known to travel throughout the land and their seasonal migrations followed known routes. These spirits also followed a set pattern of daily movements. It is very important not to obstruct the Natmas on their travels, and their migrations must always be accounted for when building settlements or buildings.

The word ‘Natmas’ (for the plural, I’ve seen both Natmas and Natmasses so I assume both are correct) can refer both to the ancestor spirits themselves and to sacred stones that represented these spirits. These stones, which were often rounded and egg-shaped, were items of worship and are often translated as ‘idols’ or ‘fetishes’. I’m not entirely certain whether these stones were supposed to house (or bind?) the spirits, or merely represented them, but they were important religious artifacts to the native Aneityum people.

The spirits themselves are mysterious creatures. I could not find a single description of what these beings supposedly look like, but it’s clear that they play an important role in the native religion of Aneityum. As far as I can tell, they were not considered evil or malicious (but it was still wise to avoid insulting them).

On Tanna, another Vanuatu island, the Natmas had a counterpart called the Ierehma, which were their version of the spirits of the dead. Ierehma were considered to be more docile than Natmas and could be pleased with dedicated rituals or by providing them with offerings. If these offerings were accepted, you could gain some degree of control over these spirits.

The first image from this post was taken from aneityumisland.com. The island has been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic (which took away tourism as a source of income) and if you want, you can help the native people by making donations via this site.

Sources: Flexner, J., 2016, An Archaeology of Early Christianity in Vanuatu: Kastom and Religious Change on Tanna and Erromango, 1839-1920, Australian National University Press. Tabani, M., Lightner, S. and Naupa, A., 2010, Histri blong Yumi long Vanuatu. Histoire du Vanuatu, un outil pédagogique (volume 1), Centre Culturel du Vanuatu. Flexner, J., 2022, Archaeology and Kastom: Island Historicities and Transforming Religious Traditions in Southern Vanuatu, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory. (image 1: native Aneityum people in traditional clothing. Image taken from aneitymisland.com) (image 2: 2 sacred Natmas stones. The stones and the image belong to the Nova Scotia Museum. Image taken from Flexner, 2016)

(Small footnote: I mainly used the past tense in this post but I’m not actually sure whether Natmas worship is still a thing on Vanuatu. I found no sources on that but it’s perfectly possible that the island still has communities who abide by this religion)

[dentalddssummitusa]

Charm on Wheels: Crafting the Perfect Wedding Transportation in St. Augustine

Introduction:

A wedding in St. Augustine, with its historic charm and romantic allure, demands meticulous planning to ensure every detail aligns with the magical ambiance of the city. One such crucial element is wedding transportation – the vehicles that will carry the bridal party, groomsmen, and, of course, the newlyweds. In this guide, we explore the art of crafting the perfect wedding transportation in St. Augustine, where every ride becomes a part of the charm woven into the couple's special day.

Setting the Scene in St. Augustine:

Embracing Historical Romance: St. Augustine, the oldest city in the U.S., provides a picturesque backdrop for weddings. With its cobblestone streets, historic landmarks, and Spanish architecture, the city offers a unique blend of old-world romance and modern elegance. Wedding transportation must seamlessly integrate with this historical charm.

Understanding the City's Layout: Before delving into transportation options, it's crucial to understand the layout of St. Augustine. Knowing the locations of key wedding venues, such as the historic Casa Monica Resort & Spa or the Lightner Museum, aids in planning the logistics of the transportation.

Crafting the Perfect Wedding Transportation:

Theme and Style: The wedding transportation should reflect the theme and style of the celebration. Whether it's a vintage-inspired affair or a modern chic event, selecting vehicles that align with the overall aesthetic enhances the visual appeal and cohesiveness of the wedding.

Bridal Party Considerations: Tailor the choice of transportation to accommodate the size of the bridal party. From classic cars and limousines to elegant vintage carriages, consider the number of bridesmaids, groomsmen, and family members who need transportation to select vehicles that provide both comfort and style.

Private vs. Shared Transportation: Decide whether private or shared transportation better suits the wedding logistics. Private options offer exclusivity and privacy, ideal for intimate celebrations. On the other hand, shared transportation can add a communal touch, fostering a sense of togetherness among the wedding party.

Logistics and Planning:

Route Planning: Craft a well-thought-out route for the wedding transportation. Consider the locations of the ceremony, reception, and any photo spots in between. A carefully planned route ensures timely arrivals and seamless transitions, allowing the couple to focus on the joy of the day.

Timeline Coordination: Coordination is key to a smooth wedding transportation experience. Align the transportation timeline with the overall wedding schedule, accounting for potential delays. Clear communication with the transportation provider and the wedding party ensures everyone is on the same page.

Comfort and Aesthetics:

Vehicle Comfort: Prioritize the comfort of the couple and the bridal party. Ensure that chosen vehicles provide ample space for wedding attire and accessories. Comfortable transportation enhances the overall experience and allows the wedding party to arrive at each destination feeling relaxed and ready to celebrate.

Aesthetic Enhancements: Consider adding personal touches to the wedding transportation. Decorate vehicles with flowers, ribbons, or signage that complements the wedding theme. Aesthetically pleasing transportation not only enhances the couple's grand entrance but also adds to the visual narrative of the wedding.

Photography Opportunities:

Selecting Photogenic Vehicles: Choose vehicles that serve as props for memorable photographs. Classic cars, vintage carriages, or unique modes of transportation can become focal points in wedding photos, capturing the essence of the celebration and creating lasting memories.

Scheduling Photo Sessions: Plan designated photo sessions with the wedding transportation. Capture candid moments as the couple departs for the ceremony or celebrate their union after the vows. These photos become cherished mementos, immortalizing the charm of the day.

Conclusion:

In St. Augustine, where the cobblestone streets echo with centuries of love stories, crafting the perfect wedding transportation is an art that adds to the city's romantic allure. From choosing vehicles that complement the historical charm to meticulous planning of routes and timelines, every detail contributes to the seamless flow of the wedding day. As the couple rides off into the sunset, their wedding transportation becomes more than just a mode of conveyance – it becomes a part of the enchanting tale of love written in the heart of St. Augustine.

[buccee]

The subject of the sculpture is Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, a historical figure known for founding the city of St. Augustine, FL. The sculpture depicts Pedro holding a sword in his right hand, pointing it downwards, while his left hand holds his hat. He is shown wearing a conquistador uniform, representing his role as a Spanish explorer and colonizer. The sculpture expresses its purpose by honoring Pedro Menéndez de Avilés and commemorating his significant contribution to the community. It serves as a reminder of the city's history and the founding of St. Augustine. The explicit purpose of the sculpture is to pay tribute to Pedro and his role in shaping the community. The sculpture suggests that the community values its history and heritage. By displaying the statue of Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, the community shows its appreciation for the city's founding and the importance of preserving its historical roots. In terms of social values, the sculpture reflects the community's admiration for bravery, exploration, and leadership. Pedro is depicted as a strong and authoritative figure, holding a sword and wearing a conquistador uniform. This suggests that the community values courage, adventure, and the spirit of exploration. The sculpture is a full-round statue, human-sized and made of bronze. In terms of its interaction with its surroundings, the sculpture is placed in front of the Lightner Museum, which used to be Hotel Alcazar building. The statue serves as a focal point of the square. It creates a sense of connection between the museum, the building, and the community, as it stands as a symbol of the city's heritage in a prominent location.

[flphotog]

Brandon seeing his incredibly GORGEOUS bride for the first time! 😭😭😭 @canonusa @lightnermuseumevents @beautytherapyfl @angelabyrdstylist @jessyca.mocadlo @mocadlo #staugustineweddingphotographer #staugustinebride #staugustinewedding #groomfirstlook #groom #lightnermuseum #lightnermuseumwedding (at Lightner Museum - Weddings & Events) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cps_-3YubTg/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[slusatv]

Congrats to our art director and partner @voodoofarm and his lovely wife @dianadirlam ❤️ wishing them the best in this new adventure. #SLUSAtv . . #setlife #socialmedia #content #strategy (at Lightner Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cpda9wuJhin/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[aimsterskitz0rz]

Casa Monica & The Lightner Museum 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🌃🌉✨🌟 (at St Augustine, Old City) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cn5tLe5Oq41/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[willowofblades]

Went to the The Raisin Cake Orchestra at The Lightner Museum Holiday Market Thursday night!🎄 The museum was only partially open to the public but it was so neat seeing what objects were on display. The Raisin Cake Orchestra provided funky hard bop contemporary jazz, very entertaining! 🎺🎵 And the vendors of the Holiday Market had such artistic and creative wares. Really festive! 🎄🎊🌟 #lightnermuseum #staugustine #staugustineflorida #theraisincakeorchestra #contemporaryjazz #holidaymarket #nightoflights #historicstaugustine (at St. Augustine Florida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cl75NWyOHxR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[staccatoarrow]

[rabbitcruiser]

International Museum Day

Visit a local museum and learn about anything from art to ancient history to aerospace. Many museums also offer virtual tours online, if you can’t get out.

Visit a local museum and learn about anything from art to ancient history to aerospace. Many museums also offer virtual tours online, if you can’t get out.

Few places in our world are more educational than museums. After all, where else could we hope to see so many pieces of actual history that tell so many stories about our ancestors? From prehistoric spears to Egyptian mummies, from ancient Greek sculptures to medieval armor, and from the first radio to the first planes used in war during WWI, museums have it all. Unfortunately, there are millions of people with direct access to museums that have never even visited one.

There are many possible reasons for this–perhaps they think just looking at old things would be boring, or perhaps they are unaware just how different the world was in the past and see no reason to take an interest. Whatever the reason for not taking advantage of the incredible amount of tangible knowledge museums offer, and regardless of age, International Museum Day is the time to invest in education in its most fascinating form.

Many people may ask why they would invest in something like International Museum Day when modern technology can give them all the answers that they may need. Well, to answer that fairly, all you need to do is a little Google search.

Nowadays, if you need to find an answer to something, you can surely just jump online and get it right? Well, yes, but what you need to realize is that the answer you get is quite possibly wrong.

A study conducted in 2016 on how many of the historical facts you find online were true, had some shocking results. It seems as of November 2016, over 48% of all available historical facts available online are inaccurate or downright wrong. So, taking this into account, you may want to place your fair elsewhere.

The truth is, education is important, so days like International Museum Day should be something to get yourself and your young ones excited for; after all, while there will be children filling their heads with nonsense, you have the ability to fill your children with knowledgey goodness.

History of International Museum Day

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) created International Museum Day in 1977. The organization chooses a different theme for the day and coordinates every year. Some of the themes include globalization, indigenous peoples, bridging cultural gaps, and caring for the environment.

Every year since 1977, all of the museums in the world are invited to participate in this day to promote the role of museums around the world, by organizing enjoyable and free activities around the year’s theme.

International Museum Day has become steadily more popular since its creation, with International Museum Day 2009 being participated in by 20,000 museums in over 90 countries. In 2012, the number of participating museums had jumped to 30,000 in 129 countries.

As the years have gone by, we have been blessed to live in a society where while technology seems to want to take over, there have been certain things that are now considered cool that were once reserved for a very target demographic.

While the numbers of participants were slowly climbing almost a decade ago, over the last five years, the numbers are climbing at an even more rapid rate. When we look at this, we may ask ourselves why, and the truth is simple, history is now something that is classed as cool.

Yes, we may live in a technology-driven society, but it seems that the more technology has reigned over the world, people have started to gravitate towards the things that connect them to a world they are scared of losing.

Today, there are more visitors to museums all over the world than ever before, and more than this, there are now more people studying history at degree level than at any point in history.

Now, it may be possible that this is just a point where geek chic is in, and students want to seem more cultural and in touch with the world, but if we stop for a brief moment, could it not be possible that International Museum Day has played a small role in helping entire new generations fall in love with history once again?

The truth may, in fact, be both, but one thing we must remember is that While it may not be as popular as some days, International Museum Day is something that should be held in high importance.

The further we move forward, the more we leave behind, and with all of the things that are now long behind us, we need something to help us remember where we have been, that way, we can take the journey ahead of us with more confidence.

How to celebrate International Museum Day

There is no better way to celebrate International Museum Day than to take a trip down to a nearby museum, either alone, with friends, or even your children if you feel they are old enough to appreciate the place. Depending on where you live, the museums you might be closest to could be ones connected with anything from farming to fashion, from astronomy to archaeology, from art to natural history. If it turns out that the museums in your immediate area are not ones that would interest you, maybe you could consider a day trip to a nearby city to visit a museum better suited to your interests? Carpooling with a friend or two will make the trip cheaper and very possibly more interesting.

Another thing to think about is how well you tolerate crowds. International Museum Day is an increasingly popular worldwide event, so it is quite probable that many of the larger and better-known museums will be pretty crowded on this day, especially since many museums do not charge an entrance fee then. If you do not feel like standing in long lines to see every single thing or having to maneuver your way through crowds of people, paying more attention to not stepping on anyone’s shoes than the objects on exhibition, you may want to visit the museum of your choice a few days before or after International Museum Day.

On weekdays, museums are often quiet places where one can come to study our ancestors’ lifestyles and contemplate what motivated them to behave and develop as they did. However you decide to celebrate Museum day, don’t let this opportunity to find out about the history of the human race go to waste!

Source

[ivygloss]

something atmospheric