Living History: Why it's Relative

It is easy to confine history into the pages of a textbook. And why wouldn't we? From kindergarten through to higher education history is told to us through units; The American Revolution, The Constitution, The Civil War, etc. For younger children, it is difficult to look past the facts/dates/personages and find true interest. I always argue that history teachers are historians in their own right and history is only relative in so far as in the way it is presented. If a child has a historical event presented to him or her through a teacher that is passionate, and able to apply it to the student, then the child's own interest is sparked.

These students, who have that spark of interest, are a large percentage of the visitors we get at Allaire Village. At Allaire (formerly called the Howell Iron Works), our volunteers interpret life in an 1830's industrial village. 1836 was the peak year in James Allaire's industry; during this time he outfitted over 50% of the country's steamship engines.  In terms of dramatic events like war and economic depression, this was a fairly peaceful (and yes, boring) time. With exceptions to specific events like Allaire's daughter's wedding, the Village primarily focuses on day-to-day life of average, 19th century Americans. While under different circumstances, these people got up in the morning, went to work, went to school, and spent time with friends just like people do today. Interpreters at living history sites oftentimes to bring the relativity of history into the awareness of a modern visitor.

I don't think that "dead" history exists but I do believe that there is a difference between studying history in a textbook and studying it at a historic site. Technically, it is impossible to "experience history". The American Revolution was not considered history as it was happening, it is considered history in 2013.  It is possible, however, to experience the presentation of history. Hence, "living" history. 

At sites such as Allaire, Williamsburg, Jamestown, etc. the visitors are surrounded by both historic artifacts, and historic representations. An artifact Allaire shows visitors is the Allaire family Bible, dating back to the 19th century. A historic representation would be a volunteer dressing up as James Allaire and discussing his latest business venture with visitors. A site tries, as much as possible, to engage all of the senses. When a student arrives with knowledge gained from a textbook, that knowledge is spherically expanded through the sights and sounds they experience at the site. 

What I love about living history sites is that one could visit the same place dozens of times and get a completely different experience during each. While a visitor may talk about hearth cooking with one interpreter during one trip, he or she may learn a historic dance with a different group during their next visit. As is human nature, we flock to like personalities. Visitors who are children often approach our youth volunteers to learn games; people who enjoy working with their hands always visit the blacksmith shop; the cooks at home talk with the cooks at Allaire. What makes the Village truly alive is the life that the people (volunteers and visitors) bring into it. Seeing interpreters laughing and having a good time makes it easier to understand the concept that people have not changed as much as we sometimes assume. 

"Living" history is not a set in stone format- it is entirely relative and subjective. We live in a time where the options for presenting history are endless. Films, plays, and television shows spend time, money, and energy striving to re-create the periods in which they are depicting. Think about Steven Speilberg's film Lincoln that was released recently. One of the things that made the film so great was that viewers were presented the relativity of Lincoln more than the mythicness of him. Media engages, and sparks interest and in this way, I would absolutely argue that film and media could be considered living history. 

History is a living, breathing entity as long as it is presented in such a way. People were not so different in the 1830's- they experienced joy and sadness the same way we do. The truly magical part about a museum worker's job is seeing people find the similarities over the differences.