City Lore
http://www.citylore.org/
Based in New York, the City Lore organization is a nonprofit organization devoted to promoting the cultural heritage of the city through a variety of programs and events. Two online exhibits dealing with the Puerto Rican Day parade and the making of lace highlight some of their more recent work. A resources link on the site leads to several helpful articles that highlight the study of urban culture and folklore, along with a list of related links. One of the best parts of the site is an area dealing with New York Favorites, which is essentially a list of places and sights that local New Yorkers have submitted to the site. Finally, the site contains City Lore's online People's Hall of Fame, which recognizes the life-long contributions of persons who have dedicated themselves to the maintenance and practice of a number of folkways and traditions. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

The Mark Twain House
http://www.marktwainhouse.org/
While the mention of Mark Twain may make one think of drifting along the Mississippi, the noted American author and curmudgeon wrote most of his famous works while living in this home in Hartford, Connecticut. Visitors to the site can take a virtual tour of the house, which is also notable for having one of the few remaining Tiffany-designed interiors. The site also has several activities for young people and a sample lesson plan designed for elementary school teachers. Additional sections provide information on relevant events at the house and membership information for those wishing to support the ongoing work done for and at the Mark Twain house. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

American Folklore
http://www.americanfolklore.net/
Maintained by Sandra E. Schlosser, a freelance author, this site contains numerous tales of American folklore. Casting a broad net, the sections are organized around different themes, such as Famous Characters, Historical Folklore, and Regional Folktales. Along with these areas, there is also a complete alphabetical list of all the different tales on the site. One of its best parts is a section on Tall Tales, which relate different stories about ghosts, holidays, and various places that have arisen out of the American folklore tradition. The site is a good way to get reacquainted with the folklore tradition in America, while serving as a solid introduction to the subject for young people. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

Will Durant Foundation
http://www.willdurant.com/home.html
While Will Durant is most well-known for his massive 11 volume Story of Civilization, the Will Durant Foundation Web site tells visitors about some of his other projects and life achievements, along with those of his wife, Ariel Durant. The site begins with a short essay offering a brief synopsis of Durant's life, including his relationship with his wife and the publishing icons Dick Simon and Max Schuster. The site contains articles written by Will Durant on a variety of subjects ranging from ancient Greece to the nature of civilization. For those interested in asking questions about Durant and his work, there is also an open and moderated discussion forum, along with a place for interested visitors to purchase any number of volumes authored by Mr. Durant and his wife. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

St. Paul's Cathedral
http://www.stpauls.co.uk/rindex.htm
Perhaps one of the finest neo-Classical cathedrals in the world, the current St. Paul's cathedral is an example of the outstanding architecture of Christopher Wren, and a testimony to his dogged persistence and passion for his life's work. In keeping with the attention to detail that is indicative of Mr. Wren's work, the St. Paul's Web site has detailed information on visiting the cathedral, the various musical performances that it hosts, and an interactive timeline detailing the history of St. Paul's that extends back to the year 604. Along with this information, the site also tells visitors about upcoming events at the cathedral, along with an extensive online gift shop that offers a diverse set of St. Paul's related material for purchase. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

San Francisco Cable Car Museum
http://www.cablecarmuseum.com/
Celebrated in American film, song, and popular legend, the San Francisco cable car gets its full due on this well honed site devoted to the history and operation of this cherished form of transportation. Beginning with a virtual tour of the Cable Car Museum, the site contains a full roster of current San Francisco cable cars and a detailed explanation of how a cable car works. Probably the strongest aspect of the site is the sheer amount of visual material available here, including over 150 photos that relate the history of the cable car system and continue on to the present day. Recent additions to the site include a collection of historic cable car transfers and information about a new book on cable cars in San Francisco. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]

The British Museum: World of Money
http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/worldofmoney/
This online exhibit from the British Museum offers a brief look into the world of money, with sections dealing with the history of money, the production of money, and money in a societal context. Each section offers an interactive section where visitors can click on different forms of money and explore the nuances behind their meaning, production, and uses. One of the best examples of this interactive feature is a silver penny from the 10th century featuring King Edgar of England. Visitors seeking a beginning primer to learning about the history of money throughout civilization will find this site quite useful. [KMG]
[Back to Contents]