Musings on Interpretation
The guiding principles of MI are highlighted in our motto: Showcase. Interpret. Preserve. I added these words to the masthead with a specific purpose in mind: To be a credo
Category: Editor’s Desk
Guidebook to Our American Journey
I spend considerable time peering into the faces of a generation of Americans who lived and died long before I came into this world. Their likenesses, captured by photographic artists
Publishing in a Pandemic
The Covid-19 pandemic has altered our lives in ways large and small, some times irrevocably, with the loss of a family member or friend. Those of us who carry on
New Departments and a Policy Modification
I’m excited to announce two new departments in MI. Behind the Backdrop is an exploration of the wonderful and varied imagery you see in portrait photographs. Adam Ochs Fleischer will
Connecting a New Generation With Civil War History
Jason Lynn Pate, a Civil War photography collector and subscriber to MI, teaches history to seventh and eighth graders at Lake Road Elementary School in Union City, Tenn. A few
The Loss of a Giant in the Collecting Community
In a 1988 MI interview, Mike McAfee was asked to share any words of wisdom he’d like to pass on to photo collectors. “Speaking as a curator,” Mike began, referencing
On Henry: Inspiration, Mentor and Friend
My favorite story about Henry Deeks, or Dan as he was also known, predates the digital era, when collectors relied on printed catalogs to purchase Civil War artifacts. What distinguished
Two New Ventures
When I came into possession of MI in 2013, one of my first orders of business was to establish a presence on social media. Regular posts include sharing images, stories,
On 40 Years
The founding of MI sits between two cultural phenomena spread across four decades. On one side lay the writings of Bruce Catton and the Civil War centennial; on the other,
Introducing The Citizenry
Over the years, we’ve highlighted photographs of individuals from the Civil War period who did not formally serve in the military. They include servants to soldiers, women who supported the