June Hartwell is the editorial persona for Then & Now at Should We Watch, exploring familiar objects, old routines, and the ways everyday life has changed. The focus is on specific details and historical context, without treating every generation’s experience as the same.
Before we all became minimalists and started Marie Kondo-ing our lives, American homes were treasure troves of now-valuable items. What seemed like everyday objects ... Read…
Read storyA quarter might not buy much these days, but back in the 1970s, it was serious spending money. Twenty-five cents could get you quite ... Read more
Read storyIn the 70’s, a five-dollar bill was worth way more than a fancy coffee. You could fill your car with gas, pocket a few ... Read more
Read storyWhile CDs, digital downloads, and streaming services may dominate music listening today, there was once a time, especially during the 70s and 80s, when ... Read more
Read storyThe 1960s was a magical time. Buying with a dollar gave you a lot of options. You could come out with an entire bag ... Read more
Read storyBefore convenience stores became faceless chains and self-checkout machines replaced friendly faces, the corner store was more than just a place to buy things ... Read more
Read storyIn the 1950s, dinner wasn’t just another meal, but a sacred family ritual. As someone who grew up in the 1950s, I can tell ... Read more
Read storyIf you’ve got kids or grandkids, you might want to head up to the attic and dust off those old toy boxes from the ... Read more
Read storyBack in the 1960s, cigarette advertising was everywhere – magazines, billboards, TV shows, even doctors’ offices! Looking at these ads today, it’s hard to ... Read more
Read storyBack when souvenirs were actually affordable mementos rather than overpriced tourist traps, vacation travelers often picked up simple keepsakes that have surprisingly become valuable ... Read more
Read storyYou can opt out of sale/share style tracking and optional advertising pixels on this site. Our programmatic ad partners may also provide their own ad privacy controls, which we do not replace.
If your browser sends a Global Privacy Control signal, this site treats that as an opt-out request for optional tracking we control.
