November 08, 2022

SNEAK PEEK  Inside the New CIA Museum  For more than 30 years, the CIA Museum has been one of the most mysterious collections of artifacts in the world. Housed in the George Bush Center for Intelligence in Langley, Virginia—one of the most secure buildings in the United States—the museum tells the story of the government’s clandestine undertakings from the Cold War to today. It has had an exclusive audience: only CIA officers and approved officials have been allowed to view the collection. Until now.  READ MORE → THE MAGIC OF SEWERS London’s Fatberg-Busters When nasty blockages stop or slow the water flow, who ya gonna call? Fatberg-busters, that’s who. Purging the pipes is a filthy, unrelenting undertaking—one that confronts anyone who attempts it with a reminder that the subterranean, human-made ecosystem is marked and marred by the mundane choices people make as they move through the world above. What can we learn from wipes, oils, and fats when they overwhelm the arteries of the modern world? READ MORE → ODIHAM, ENGLAND Birthplace of the British Tommy According to records, Thomas Atkins began serving in the British Army on August 31, 1815. But Thomas “Tommy” Atkins may not have actually existed. Thomas Atkins was a name used by the War Office when they produced a model example of how a soldier’s record of service should be completed within the Soldiers Account Book—and it was his example that inspired allies when nicknaming the British Army’s Tommys during the First World War. READ MORE → SPONSORED BY THE MAINE OFFICE OF TOURISM Dive Into Maine’s Natural Beauty When people think of Maine, it’s often the rugged beauty of the coast that comes to mind. But Maine is more than just its winding waterways—whether you’re angling for a hike, paddle, or simply a long drive through the backcountry, there’s no shortage of spectacular natural features throughout all of Maine’s 16 counties. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA PUZZLES How To Be on Time in Estonia The Estonian language is notorious as one of the most difficult European languages for English speakers to learn, along with its siblings in the Finno-Ugric language family, Finnish and Hungarian. So, of course, today’s puzzle is all about how to translate how Estonians tell time. PLAY NOW → EDWARD, MANITOBA Breakey Monument Born in Pierson to William and Jane Breakey in 1891, Norman Breakey settled in Toronto, Ontario after serving in World War I. It was here that he managed a hardware store and eventually invented the paint roller. Unfortunately, Breakey didn’t patent his invention, or wasn’t able to produce and sell enough to protect his patent—fame and knowledge of his contribution to the world were awarded posthumously. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Write Your Own Fairy Tale Fairy tales have long offered rich source material for stories. In this seminar, writer and author Anca L. Szilágyi will explore elements of the genre, looking at techniques such as flatness, everyday magic, and intuitive logic through hands-on in-class writing exercises and prompts. Class time will include a mix of mini-lectures, discussion, writing, and sharing fresh writing in pairs, small groups, or with the whole group. ENROLL TODAY → MYSTERY SOLVED (?) The Case of the Missing Princess-Saint If the walls in the Church of St. Mary and St. Eanswythe could talk, it would probably be in Old English. Researchers announced in 2020 that bones found in those walls likely belonged to Eanswythe, an Anglo-Saxon princess from the seventh century and patron saint of Folkestone, the southeastern English town in Kent County where the church is located. While the bones themselves were discovered in 1885—launching much speculation that they were the princess’s remains, missing for centuries—this research provides the first empirical evidence that they did indeed belong to the namesake of the church. READ MORE → WASHINGTON, D.C. Abandoned Drawbridge Control Room Underneath the middle section of Arlington Memorial Bridge, two trailer-sized offices hang from the steel superstructure, with grated windows looking out at million-dollar views down the Potomac River. Inside these two oddly placed rooms sits the abandoned, century-old machinery that used to allow the middle span to open up like a drawbridge. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Exploring Ancient Egypt  Egypt’s archaeological treasures have delighted and mystified visitors for thousands of years. Join us in the new year as we follow in the footsteps of explorers and royalty and experience the thrill of discovery while exploring the Great Pyramids of Giza, traversing the Avenue of the Sphinxes, and marveling at the Tomb of Tutankhamun. BOOK NOW →