culture

The Haunted History Of Pittock Mansion, The Oregon Estate Of Newspaper Tycoon Henry Pittock

Built in 1914, Pittock Mansion was nearly razed to create a subdivision in the 1960s before Portland residents came together to save it.

By Aimee Lamoureux • Aug 3, 2022

The Haunted History Of Pittock Mansion, The Oregon Estate Of Newspaper Tycoon Henry Pittock

Built in 1914, Pittock Mansion was nearly razed to create a subdivision in the 1960s before Portland residents came together to save it.

By Aimee Lamoureux • August 3, 2022

Inside The Multi-Million-Dollar Drug Empire Of Frank Matthews, The ‘Black Caesar’ Who Rivaled The Mafia

When the Five Families refused to allow him into the drug trade, Frank Matthews became a kingpin in his own right — until he mysteriously vanished in 1973 with $20 million.

By Jessica O'Connor • Aug 3, 2022

Inside The Multi-Million-Dollar Drug Empire Of Frank Matthews, The ‘Black Caesar’ Who Rivaled The Mafia

When the Five Families refused to allow him into the drug trade, Frank Matthews became a kingpin in his own right — until he mysteriously vanished in 1973 with $20 million.

By Jessica O'Connor • August 3, 2022

The Fascinating History Of The Drinking Horn, The Thirst-Quenching Vessel Of Viking Legend

Though it's most often associated with the Vikings, the drinking horn has a long history that actually started more than 1,000 years before the vicious warriors ever left Scandinavia.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • Jul 21, 2022

The Fascinating History Of The Drinking Horn, The Thirst-Quenching Vessel Of Viking Legend

Though it's most often associated with the Vikings, the drinking horn has a long history that actually started more than 1,000 years before the vicious warriors ever left Scandinavia.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • July 21, 2022

The True Story Of Sundiata Keita, The ‘Lion King’ Who Founded The Mali Empire

Legend says Sundiata Keita was such a sickly child that he was spared by his father's enemies when they killed all of his brothers. He later took revenge for the murders — by launching one of the most powerful empires in African history.

By Marco Margaritoff • Jul 20, 2022

The True Story Of Sundiata Keita, The ‘Lion King’ Who Founded The Mali Empire

Legend says Sundiata Keita was such a sickly child that he was spared by his father's enemies when they killed all of his brothers. He later took revenge for the murders — by launching one of the most powerful empires in African history.

By Marco Margaritoff • July 20, 2022

‘Absolutely Thrilling’: Previously Unknown Vincent Van Gogh Self-Portrait Discovered Behind Another Painting

Vincent van Gogh often reused his canvases to save money, and conservators suspect he painted the self-portrait on the back of a previously-completed painting.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jul 14, 2022

News

‘Absolutely Thrilling’: Previously Unknown Vincent Van Gogh Self-Portrait Discovered Behind Another Painting

Vincent van Gogh often reused his canvases to save money, and conservators suspect he painted the self-portrait on the back of a previously-completed painting.

By Kaleena Fraga • July 14, 2022

Meet Ma Rainey, The ‘Mother Of The Blues’ Who Fought For Her Voice In Jim Crow America

Battling racism, sexism, and homophobia in Jim Crow America, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey emerged as one of the most popular singers of the 1920s.

By Jaclyn Anglis • Jul 1, 2022

Meet Ma Rainey, The ‘Mother Of The Blues’ Who Fought For Her Voice In Jim Crow America

Battling racism, sexism, and homophobia in Jim Crow America, Gertrude "Ma" Rainey emerged as one of the most popular singers of the 1920s.

By Jaclyn Anglis • July 1, 2022

Durian Is One Of Southeast Asia’s Most Coveted Fruits — And It’s Said To Smell Like Gym Socks

Simultaneously described as having a sweet aroma and smelling like raw sewage, durian is one of the world's most divisive foods and has been nicknamed the "king of fruits."

By Leah Silverman • Jun 30, 2022

Durian Is One Of Southeast Asia’s Most Coveted Fruits — And It’s Said To Smell Like Gym Socks

Simultaneously described as having a sweet aroma and smelling like raw sewage, durian is one of the world's most divisive foods and has been nicknamed the "king of fruits."

By Leah Silverman • June 30, 2022

9 Black Heroes Of The Wild West — And The Incredible True Stories Behind Them

From the gunslinging postwoman of Montana to the deputy marshal who patrolled the Plains, discover the seldom-taught stories of these icons of the American frontier.

By Kaleena Fraga • Jun 29, 2022

9 Black Heroes Of The Wild West — And The Incredible True Stories Behind Them

From the gunslinging postwoman of Montana to the deputy marshal who patrolled the Plains, discover the seldom-taught stories of these icons of the American frontier.

By Kaleena Fraga • June 29, 2022

How The Dunce Cap Went From A Sign Of High Intelligence To A Humiliating Classroom Punishment

When followers of philosopher John Duns Scotus became the laughingstock of Renaissance-era Europe for their outdated beliefs, their once-fashionable "Duns" caps turned into a symbol of stupidity.

By Jessica O'Connor • Jun 28, 2022

How The Dunce Cap Went From A Sign Of High Intelligence To A Humiliating Classroom Punishment

When followers of philosopher John Duns Scotus became the laughingstock of Renaissance-era Europe for their outdated beliefs, their once-fashionable "Duns" caps turned into a symbol of stupidity.

By Jessica O'Connor • June 28, 2022

How The Tommy Gun Went From A Weapon Of ‘Law And Order’ To A Favorite Of Notorious Criminals

The Tommy gun was intended to be a military weapon, but as organized crime skyrocketed during Prohibition and the Great Depression, it soon became the firearm of choice for gangsters like Al Capone.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • Jun 27, 2022

How The Tommy Gun Went From A Weapon Of ‘Law And Order’ To A Favorite Of Notorious Criminals

The Tommy gun was intended to be a military weapon, but as organized crime skyrocketed during Prohibition and the Great Depression, it soon became the firearm of choice for gangsters like Al Capone.

By Bernadette Giacomazzo • June 27, 2022