While cataloging some older books found within the museum’s collection, I kept coming across ones that had “Brownie” in the title. These books were written and illustrated by Palmer Cox, and the artwork within had whimsical characters (almost resembling Elf on the Shelf) travelling and causing mischief. Curious about who these characters were and the story behind them, I started doing some research and uncovered some surprising connections between them and some Rochester New York history!
As someone who indulges in […]

Continue Reading about Brownies: From Folklore to Kodak Cameras Published on:
January 3, 2025

In light of 2024 being the 50th anniversary of the famous tabletop roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons, it felt right to investigate more iconic monsters from the game. A few months ago, I wrote about Tiamat, the dragon that stands over The Strong Museum’s Hasbro Game Park, so now it’s time to investigate another monster that has been around since the beginning of Dungeons & Dragons. Thankfully, I did not need to look far because right on the cover of […]

Continue Reading about A Sight to Behold:  Dungeons & Dragons’ Beholder Monster Published on:
July 26, 2024

When I say “tarot cards” you probably conjure up an image of fortune tellers in your mind. Or you might picture the hundreds of decks of the famed 78 cards available in stores. The images on tarot cards always vary, but the structure remains the same: the Major Arcana [also known as the trump cards], and the Minor Arcana, made up of four suits. But did you know, these cards were not used for divination until the 18th century? And […]

Continue Reading about From Playing Cards to Divination Published on:
February 16, 2024

If you have come to the museum recently, you may have noticed a new friend—or foe—outside. She is breathing fire and mist, with five different colored heads roaring as you press the 20-sided dice (d20) before her, and her name is Tiamat! An infamous monster from the tabletop role-play game Dungeons & Dragons, the Dragon Queen is now at The Strong National Museum of Play in the Hasbro Game Park. I thought it would be nice to formally introduce her […]

Continue Reading about Tiamat, the Chromatic Dragon, Has Landed in Hasbro Game Park Published on:
December 1, 2023

Every player of tabletop roleplay games (TTRPGs) can agree on two things. First, scheduling games can be your worst nightmare since no one ever seems to be available at the same time. And second, finding someone willing take on the role of Dungeon Master (DM) or Game Master (GM) seems just as difficult. Playing this coordinating role can require extra work, planning, and effort, which sometimes none of the group are willing to tackle. Thankfully, on those days when you’re […]

Continue Reading about Create Your Own Story: Tabletop Roleplay Games without the Game Master Published on:
March 24, 2023

Playing video games can be many things: entertaining, collaborative, emotional, or even a learning experience. Using video games for education is nothing new, but in recent years developers have seen how interactive media can help create an understanding of those around us. According to Professor Paul Fletcher at the University of Cambridge, “Video games can be powerful tools because they are absorbing and immersive. They require active participation, and they allow players to explore new and uncertain worlds.” The topic […]

Continue Reading about Senua’s Journey: The Portrayal of Mental Illness in Video Games Published on:
October 7, 2022

When I get asked about my favorite video game, most people expect me to say Horizon Zero Dawn or BioShock Infinite based on my cosplays and the games I most frequently mention. My answer, however, is Myst. “That point and click puzzle game from the 90s?!” is the usual perplexed response. So let me explain why this game has remained a favorite for me and why it was such an important game.
Myst came out in 1993, and by 1995 it […]

Continue Reading about That Point and Click Puzzle Game from the 90s: Myst Published on:
August 19, 2022

In a 2020 blog, I discussed how during the pandemic many players of Tabletop Roleplay Games (TTRPGs) turned to platforms online to continue their adventures. I wasn’t alone in turning to TTRPGs for entertainment while stuck at home because that year, National Toy Hall of Fame inductee Dungeons & Dragons saw sales jump 33%! That jump doesn’t even touch on the hundreds of indie TTRPGs that have been released through various crowdfunding sites in the last few years. With more […]

Continue Reading about Keeping the Adventure Fun for Everyone: Safety tools for Tabletop Roleplay Games Published on:
March 28, 2022

For most gamers, rolling for initiative has been put on hold for the moment. Presently, due to social distancing guidelines, fans of role-playing games find themselves unable to go to each other’s living rooms to weave a story through teamwork and creativity.
Thankfully even with the obstacle of quarantines and lockdowns, there are options for those role-playing stories to continue and opportunities to create new adventures! We are fortunate that this era is also the digital age, and programs such as […]

Continue Reading about Continuing the Adventure from Home: Tabletop Role-Play Games while Social Distancing Published on:
July 23, 2020