General Interest
http://www.mfa.org/master/sub.asp?key=23&subkey=5034
Boston's lovely Museum of Fine Arts (MFA) has been in possession of Vincent Van Gogh's painting "Ravine" for years. What curators at the Museum did not know until recently was that there was yet another Van Gogh painting underneath "Ravine". Working with the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam, preservation experts at both institutions noticed that there was a second painting underneath the paint surface. After close examination, it was revealed that this painting was in fact a draft of what later became the work "Wild Vegetation". This site provides information on this important discovery as well as a fascinating interactive tour of the works of Van Gogh held within the MFA's collections. [KMG]
http://www.designweek.co.uk/Home/Default.aspx
Learning about the world of design can be rather fun, and for persons interested in entering this industry, it can be essential to stay on top of ongoing developments. Design Week launched their site in November 2006, and as the publication is based in Britain, the coverage of design events and trends is primarily focused on the British and Continental scenes. Visitors can take a look at the recent news postings of their homepage, and they can also look through the "Design Disciplines" area, which includes important stories related design trends in furniture, graphics, interiors, and packaging. From those thinking about looking for a new job in the field, the site also contains job postings and suggestions for those going on the job market. The site is rounded out by a place where visitors can also sign up to receive news alerts via email. [KMG]
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/pp/wtchtml/wtcabt.html
Around the time of the Columbian Exposition in Chicago, railroad publicist Joseph Gladding Pangborn organized the World's Transportation Commission. After the Exposition was finished, he decided to pack up his things and begin gathering information about international transportation systems for American businesses who might be interested in new markets. He took with him the noted railroad engineer and photographer William Henry Jackson. During their time abroad, Jackson took hundreds of photographs and lantern slides of everything from unique landforms to images of the local residents. Visitors to this site can explore that collection, which includes over 500 images arranged both chronologically and geographically. Additionally, they can also view Jackson's career chronology and a selection of works for further reading. [KMG]
http://www.counterterrorismtraining.gov/
With the growing interest in counter-terrorism training and related resources, it's not surprising that the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs created this site. The site draws on expertise provided by a number of public and private organizations, including the National Institute of Justice, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, and the Office for Domestic Preparedness. The site is divided into sections that include "Conferences", "Funding", "Research & Statistics", "Equipment", and "Publications". Scholars who arrive at the site may wish to look at the "Research & Statistics" section first, as it brings together a number of resources in this field, such as aerial photographs, a number of recent FBI reports, and a global terrorism map. Additionally, the "Publications" area contains thematically-organized publications that cover port security, threat assessment, and weapons of mass destruction. [KMG]
http://www.mywonderfulworld.org/
National Geographic has been keeping tabs on the geographic literacy of Americans young and old for decades. Some of their findings are a bit depressing, but they've always believed in well-thought out outreach programs, and this website is just one such program. The "My Wonderful World" site is intended for young people, but anyone will benefit from the numerous interactive activities, quizzes, and such offered here. Visitors can start by taking the National Geographic Roper Survey, and then take a look through the "Games & Cool Stuff" area. Here, they can take a look through the world of map "mashups", learn about wayfaring, and even take an aural trip around the globe. Additionally, there are sections designed specifically for parents, educators, and teens. Overall, it's a delight and for those yet unconverted to the importance of geography, this site will likely win over a new cadre of budding geographers. [KMG]
Professor Quintard Taylor of the University of Washington and his colleagues have created this very fine online resource that covers six centuries of African American history. The site includes an online encyclopedia of hundreds of famous and lesser known figures in African America, along with full text primary documents and major speeches of black activists and leaders from the eighteenth century to the present. Visitors should make sure and visit the "Perspectives on African American History" area, which includes rather fascinating pieces such as "Gentrification, Integration or Displacement?: The Seattle Story" and "Juneteenth: The Birth of an African American Holiday". The site merits numerous return visits, and those with a penchant for African American history, and United States history in general, will find some stellar materials here. [KMG]
After brushing up on one's Shakespeare, it is probably a good idea to catch all of the latest news and activities about the world of theater at the Playbill site. As their website notes, they have been "Serving theatre since 1884", and visitors with a compelling interest in these matters will definitely want to spend sometime online here. Astute followers of the Great White Way (and touring productions) will want to click on over to the "Features" area, where they can read information on Broadway grosses, upcoming screen adaptations, and also the "Week in Review" feature. Visitors will also want to look at the "News" area, which includes obituaries and information on the Tony Awards. For those making a trip to Broadway, there is also a fine "Reference" section that includes seating charts and information on restaurants. The Scout Report does not endorse any restaurants, but dining at Sardi's is always a safe bet. [KMG]
http://www.virtualmuseum.ca/Exhibitions/EmilyCarr/
Created by the Vancouver Art Gallery (with a little help from the Virtual Museum of Canada), this is possibly the largest, most comprehensive web site devoted to the works of Canada's beloved artist, Emily Carr. The site includes a featured works section, where, using Flash, visitors can view Carr's works arranged on a timeline and zoom in for more information. There is also an extensive biography of Carr, outlining all the phases of her varied career, such as her work as an artist, documenting the First Nations cultures of British Columbia using Native American motifs, painting magical forests and totems, as well as creating crafts such as bowls and rugs. Carr is also known as an author of books such as "Klee Wyck", Carr's tales of First Nations communities, and for her literary depictions of nineteenth-century Victoria. The search function of the web site searches all 1,688 works by Carr held by the Vancouver Art Gallery, and will retrieve digital images of Carr's paintings, drawings, crafts, and sketchbooks, many accompanied by captions, for example, Haida Totems, 1912 with a quote from Klee Wyck describing the totem's setting at Cha-atl on Queen Charlotte Island. [DS]
