Scranton had a trolley system from 1896 to 1954, the first economically sustainable system in America. The Lackawanna valley was rich in anthracite, top-notch coal, and the trolleys were powered from the nearby coal-fired power plant via a third rail, unusual for interurbans. But one line, the Northern Electric Railway, Read more
When travelling to Munich, the Bavarian National Museum is one not to miss out on. The Museum building itself was built during King Maximilian II in 1855, around the same time the Neuschwanstein Castle was built (the castle used as inspiration for the one in Disneyland). The interior of the Read more
The Montreal Museum of Fine arts was first founded in 1860 as the Art Association of Montreal. It is the oldest art museum in Canada. However, it didn’t have its own building until a site was donated to them in 1879. The museum was at its current site since 1912 Read more
Best described as a giant building with galleries of multiple units and outdoor aircraft hangers, the complex contains the museums of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, Calgary Highlander, King’s Own Calgary Regiment, Lord Strathcona’s Horse, Army Museum of Alberta, Naval Museum of Alberta, and Air Force Museum of Alberta. Why Read more
I had a moment of reflection when I approached the village plaza. People in North America rebuild what they used to have miles and miles away so they can drive there to enjoy a nice walkable environment. In Europe, those environments were just the town. Gasoline Alley is the biggest Read more
Edmonton‘s Royal Alberta Museum is world-class, but I fault them for not offering student pricing or honoring nationally-recognized cultural volunteers. While the quality of their exhibits is top-notch, their choice of display items is questionable. For example, there were fish in the bug gallery and the transportation exhibit failed to Read more
Blatchford Field in Edmonton was an active airport until 2013. Today, it’s being redeveloped into low-density housing. The aviation museum is mostly home to military and search and rescue aircraft, with only a few commercial aircraft in its collection. Some of the exhibits, like the iconic Hawker Hurricane, are working Read more
I didn’t have high hopes for seeing fine works of art in Edmonton other than the obligatory Group of Seven and some other landscapes from the Rocky Mountains. I was right. What I didn’t expect was for the art to attack more than my sight. The scent gallery exploits one Read more
Universities are a public good, even more so when they run museums with free admission. Yale University runs the Yale Center for British Art, which houses the largest collection of British art anywhere in the world outside of the UK. Visitors are greeted by friendly and helpful staff in a Read more
After visiting the big leagues of art at Yale, the New Haven Museum returned me to everyday life. There were toys, pianos, and bicycles on the first floor, showing how the city developed over time and how people lived through the 19th and 20th centuries. There was also a room Read more