Library of Congress Hair Collection

We’re taking the day off for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. But in the meantime, we want to hear from you. Tell us about the wonders in your backyard. Is there a strange, unusual or surprising place in your city or town? What makes this place special to you? Give us a call at 315-99 ... Show More

Spring is a popular time to visit Colonial Williamsburg, not least because it’s “lambing season,” the time of year when baby lambs are born and take their first steps (which is obviously very, very cute). But small as they are, these lambs have a big baaa-ckstory (sorry) – they a ... Show More

The story of the Fendika Cultural Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia is the story of Melaku Belay and his journey from homelessness to international acclaim as a community leader.READ MORE IN THE ATLAS: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/fendika-azmari-betWe always want to hear fro ... Show More

Since 1800, the Library of Congress has functioned as the national library of the United States. Don't let the name fool you -- this institution isn't just a bunch of dusty old tomes and long-forgotten letters from politicians. In today's episode, Ben, Noel and Max explore some o ... Show More

يعتبر صمود مكتبة سانت غال في سويسرا لاثني عشر قرناً حتى اليوم واحدة من معجزاتها الكبرى فبينما اختفى الكثير من مكتبات العصور الوسطى نجت وحافظة  على دورها الثقافي. 

In this Diamond Jubilee year, BBC Arts Editor Will Gompertz has been selecting some of the most revealing objects from the Royal Collection to see what they tell us about the monarchs who acquired them. It is one of the most wide-ranging collections of art and artefacts in the wo ... Show More

<p>When Sidedoor listener Cliff Hall bought a used violin, he found a tattered note tucked alongside the century-old instrument. Obsessed with this cryptic piece of paper, Cliff’s quest to find the owner of the violin unlocked a tale of subterfuge, scandal, and the Smithsonian’s ... Show More

<p>On this episode of <em>Our American Stories</em>, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, right below the Great Smoky Mountains you will find the Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum. <strong>Andrea Ludden</strong>, daughter of the original collector, shares the story of how this amazing collectio ... Show More

<p>On Start the Week Tom Sutcliffe picks through the remains of vanished buildings with the writer James Crawford. In his book, Fallen Glory, Crawford looks at the life and death of some of the world's most iconic structures. The conductor Semyon Bychkov explores why some music f ... Show More

Hello! Libraries are about far more than borrowing books. We’re exploring how libraries around the world serve their communities and are adapting to changing needs. Sociologist Eric Klinenberg explains why libraries help build social solidarity and should be a priority for govern ... Show More

Today is part II of our tribute to one of the most iconic pieces of American culture.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. 

<p>They bring out the voyeur in us. And the Smithsonian’s Archives of American Art is full of them. In three short letters, we offer a glimpse of tender moments in the complex lives of others.</p> <p><strong>Guests:</strong></p> <p><strong>Josh T. Franco</strong>, Head of Colle ... Show More