Fire screens were functional works of art
Now that we have electric lights and heating, lighting a fire in the fireplace feels like something special. Spend a few minutes in front of one, though, and you’ll remember why technology has moved on. Between the intense heat and light of the flames and the danger of stray sparks, having an open flame indoors isn’t the best idea. That’s where fire screens came in. By the late 18th century, they were made of various materials like wood, leather, wicker and papier-mache. Metal was not a popular material; it would get too hot. With everyone gathered around the fire, the fire ...
Calendar clocks will have you set for all time
Happy New Year! When the clock strikes midnight on Jan. 1, it’s time to open your new calendar and look ahead. Or maybe you have a clock like this one, with a built-in calendar. Calendar clocks were developed about 1850. That’s about when this one, which sold for $5,100 at Cottone Auctions, was made. Its rear movement plate is marked for Constantin-Louis Detouche (1810-1889), a famous Paris clockmaker in the 19th century. He worked for his father’s clockmaking business until 1830, when he started his own. He was later appointed official clockmaker to Napoleon III, who was crowned ...
How to avoid the tow in the snow
It hasn’t snowed much at all this winter so far, but like it or not, its wintertime and sooner or later a major snowstorm will happen. In the past five years, snowy or icy road conditions were reported in 79,165 crashes that resulted in 181 traffic deaths and 19,218 injuries, according to ...
Winter fun at the library
It remains to be seen just how snowy (or brown) our winter may be. The library has lots of fun available to you and your family, no matter the weather. It goes without saying that we have plenty of books to check out, but I’ll say it anyway. Mix it up by reading outside of your favorite genres or formats. We have books for all stripes and offer print, large print, CD audiobook, eBook, eAudiobook, and more! Young readers might like to try our new Vox book collection. Vox books are traditional picture books with an audio component attached. Readers can follow along with the text while ...
2023
NEW ULM — It is said that a great photo is worth a thousand words. Every year Journal staff takes thousands of photos, many of which stand on their own in telling a story. Here is a sample of some of the best photos used to tell stories in