March 20, 2023

GASTRO OBSCURA  Maraschino Cherries  When we say ‘maraschino cherry,’ what do you think of? Odds are, it’s either the bright cherry atop a sundae, or a dark, liqueur-preserved globule in a cocktail. Each of these cherries represents a distinctive food culture, a unique preservation method, and even a different plant species. And yet, consumers and manufacturers alike refer to them both as maraschino cherries.  READ MORE →   WILDLIFE The Last Days of One Species In 2018, researchers were desperately trying to find the Bahama nuthatch (Sitta insularis) in the wake of 2016’s Hurricane Matthew. The hurricane had hit Grand Bahama hard, the only place where the nuthatch has ever been found, but even while the population numbers were grim, researchers concluded that the birds could still be saved from extinction. Then Hurricane Dorian pummeled the Bahamas in 2019.  The nuthatch hasn’t been seen since. READ MORE →   MONROE, CONNECTICUT Grave of Ed and Lorraine Warren In life, husband-and-wife duo Ed and Lorraine Warren were some of the prolific paranormal investigators in American history. Together, they traveled the country, investigating infamous cases such as an alleged instance of possession that formed the basis for The Conjuring 2, and a 1968 case of a haunted Raggedy Ann that inspired the cinematic murder doll, Annabelle. READ MORE →   ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Suminagashi & Ebru Marbling Discover the magic of marbling with artist Linh My Truong, creating colorful, psychedelic designs on paper and fabric. Traversing the globe, we’ll cover two main types of marbling: the delicate, flowy imagery of Japanese suminagashi marbling using inks and sumi brushes, and the vibrant patterns of Turkish ebru marbling with paint. ENROLL NOW→   UNUSUAL COLLECTIONS What Did Neanderthals Collect? Sixty thousand years ago, give or take a few millennia, bands of Neanderthals thrived in a valley in central Spain, doing everything they needed to survive generation after generation. But about 45 miles north of what is now the city of Madrid, researchers have discovered a site that makes a strong case for a totally unheard-of Neanderthal behavior: collecting horns of gigantic beasts as hunting trophies. READ MORE →   FINCHINGFIELD, ENGLAND Howe Street Witches Burial Inside this building, the Finchingfield Guildhall, lies two sticks that belonged to alleged witches in the 17th century. One is thought to have belonged to a local witch named Goody Mumford who was stoned to death in the late 18th century. The other stick is a fertility stick found in the middle of the thatched roof of a cottage. READ MORE →   THE ATLAS OBSCURA PODCAST Manuscript Writing Cafe Are you looking to get a project done? Want someone to help you keep to a deadline? Well, Tokyo’s Manuscript Writing Cafe is just for you! The rules are simple. One: enter and fill out a card for the goal that you want to accomplish. Two: Do the task. And you’d better hustle on getting that task done, because you can’t leave until you finish said task!   BEHIND THE BRAND Betty Crocker Test Kitchens You may have seen the Betty Crocker brand staring out at you in the grocery store, promising an easy journey into the world of baking with her easy-to-use mixes. Was Betty Crocker a real woman? She was not, but though she was fictional, there were very real women behind the brand who turned the name into a corporate powerhouse. Their work took place in test kitchens, where foreign royalty and even American presidents came to pay their respects. READ MORE →   WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS Groundhog’s Day Movie Filming Location and Mural The 1993 Bill Murray film Groundhog Day may be set in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, but it was primarily filmed in Woodstock, Illinois. The public square that hosts the “Seer of Seer, Prognosticator of Prognosticators” is actually Woodstock Square and the bed and breakfast where Murray’s character Phil stays is still open to the public. READ MORE →   ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Lore of Dartmoor Explore the myths and legends of Dartmoor National Park’s vast expanse of windswept landscapes. Stroll medieval villages, sprawling moors, and Bronze Age ruins to uncover the enduring tales they’ve inspired, discovering along the way what makes this quiet corner of southwest England so unique. BOOK NOW →