Henry Louis Stephens (American, 1824–1882). Vampyre from The Comic Natural History of the Human Race (1851). The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Frankenstein, The Vampyre, and the Spirit of the Humanities

How one ghost story competition continues to haunt the humanities—just in time for Halloween.
An ad for the Coffield Electric Washer, 1920

Why Washing Machines Took Decades to Catch On

Early electric laundry appliances promised to make housework easier. But convincing American households to buy them was another matter.
Women performing the Kecak, or “monkey chant.”

The Women Breaking the Rules of Balinese Dance

Middle-aged performers are taking on roles once reserved for men, challenging expectations about age and gender in Bali.

Ten Poems about Sleep and Dreaming

Visions of the unconscious by Emily Dickinson, Louise Glück, Lucille Clifton, Carl Phillips, and more.
Road, Alexandria to Middleburg, Fairfax, Virginia, ca. 1929-1935. Colorized image.

The Photographer Who Preserved Everyday Architecture

Frances Benjamin Johnston looked beyond grand estates to document the ordinary buildings that defined American life.
A police training officer takes part in a demonstration of the Meggitt Training System at the City of Miami Police Department's Training Center in 2018.

What Do Cops Train For?

Research on police training finds that realistic simulations may reinforce expectations of violence instead of preventing it.
Canis familiaris var. lagopus

Why English Colonists Called Indigenous Dogs Wolves

A 1621 encounter reveals a history of Native animal domestication that colonial accounts obscured.
Hands working on laptop

How to Keep Track of Your Sources on JSTOR

Learn where to find bibliographic information so you have the details you need when it’s time to cite your research.
Dakota pipeline protestors

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples and Cultures

Discover scholarship that challenges myths and explores the histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples.
An illustration of King Arthur from The Boy's King Arthur, 1922

Why King Arthur Still Shapes Pop Culture

Eight centuries after the legends took shape, Arthur's world continues to inspire filmmakers, musicians, advertisers, and ideologues.