As far as my opinions go - - remember: they are just that - my opinions. Yours may differ.
And that's okay.
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it - - -
~ Diggin' up bones...and adding flesh ~ |
Or a better analogy is the relationship between farmers, cooks, and diners, all of whom, ultimately, need each other."
~ ~ ~
“History
is Bunk!” a famous quote from Henry Ford
In
part, due to his strong pacifism and anti-war sentiment during America’s involvement in World
War One, a number of newspaper articles called him an anarchist, among other things, and quoted him as
saying, "History is more or less bunk..." which has been repeated
often ever since, signifying that Ford didn’t like, or was ignorant of, history.
What
most folks who hear this today don't understand is that this "bunk " comment was stated for
reasons other than what the press said (wow---doesn’t that sound familiar, even here in the 21st century); what
Ford meant and explained many times in his later years was that written history
reflected little of people's day-to-day existence. Ford said, “History as it is
taught in the schools deals largely with...wars, major political controversies,
territorial extensions and the like. When I went to our American history books
to learn how our forefathers harrowed the land, I discovered that the
historians knew nothing about harrows. Yet our country depended more on harrows
than on guns or great speeches. I thought a history which excluded harrows and
all the rest of daily life is bunk, and I think so yet."
My great Aunt Babe - ca 1922~ She was one of Pete McCurty's Bonton Girls, an entertainment troop of youths in the Jazz Age. |
This is what I try to do during the high school history class I parapro in, though on a smaller scale. In fact, very recently, we were reading and talking about the 1920s and the changes that occurred during that decade. To get the kids somewhat engulfed into the period, I clicked onto You Tube and found original 1920s music (Helen Kane "Button Up Your Over Coat" and "Sweet Georgia Brown" by the California Ramblers) and told them this was the young hip music of the time that they probably would have been listening to had they been living back then.
My great Aunt Bea - ca 1922 She was also a Bonton Girl |
We then looked at fashions of the day, watched film clips of dancers doing the Charlston, and saw a Charlie Chaplin comedy short from (I think) 1928 called "The Lion's Cage."
These kids never saw or heard any of this before, and the best part is one student mentioned to me afterward that he really liked the silent movie and planned to go home and find more to watch on You Tube!
How cool!
I believe that's along the lines of what Henry Ford meant when he said that history, the way it is usually taught, is bunk.
Ha! Not if I can help it (and it also helps to have cool head teachers who allow me to add these everyday life bits to her teaching process).
Oh, and here's one more quote about Ford:
"A lot of guys have had a lot of fun joking
about Henry Ford because he admitted one time that he didn't know history. He
don't know it, but history will know him. He has made more history than his
critics ever read."
Will Rogers
Will Rogers
~ ~ ~
Present vs Past vs Present vs Past vs Present...
There is a lot of talk these days about those who lived in times past in comparison to how we, the enlightened ones, live today. We ravage and besmirch people who's values and morals are unlike our own because they - can you believe it? - are from a different century. These folks from another time are trashed for being a part of their long ago society; they are condemned for thinking as their time and environment directed instead of how we think today.
I mean, they should've known better!
Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it?
And, yet, there are many - too many - in our modern times who think this way.
To be honest, it really needs to stop.
Move on...learn from the past and never stop trying to make a better future rather than condemn those who lived back in their own time.
As I recently read HERE:
"One
of the traits of modern society, and indeed no doubt of many generations in the
past, is one of hubris -- that we are so much more advanced and vastly superior
than the "unenlightened" people of prior generations. The cries of
"this is 2017" echo the self-same complaints I heard decades ago and
those I heard when I was young. "We are born into a brave new age,"
we're told, "free of the chains of the past, brimming with freedom and
opportunities that those poor people of the past never enjoyed." Like a broken
record, it is the mantra of every new generation.
To
back up their belief comes in that old crutch, confirmation bias. If we're so
superior and the past was so bad, then we must tell all that which supports
that notion and suppress all that which might challenge our viewpoint. Indeed,
our post-modern viewpoint cannot be challenged, because that would mean that we
are not in fact special compared to the humans who went before. And, if real
information to support our claims of modern superiority cannot be found, things
can be made up. If a total myth is repeated enough, especially if by
celebrities and teachers, then it becomes an accepted myth. Experience has
shown that people cling to accepted myths like a drowning man to a
life-preserver, even when the rescue line of simple truth is proffered.
Those who want to make an authentic positive difference on modern society would do well to abandon the idea that our modern society is inherently better than all that went before it. That is liberating and opens the mind to great possibilities to which it was previously closed through insular, small-minded hubris. "
Those who want to make an authentic positive difference on modern society would do well to abandon the idea that our modern society is inherently better than all that went before it. That is liberating and opens the mind to great possibilities to which it was previously closed through insular, small-minded hubris. "
Yep - - ! We've made strides in so many ways, but stayed the same in most others.
Maybe we've even gone down some in other ways as well.
But please understand - people from the past were every bit as smart as people today. They are just from a different era.
And for Pete's sake, stop believing all of those "historical" Facebook memes!
~ ~ ~
When I read a book on history, something I find myself doing more and more is to look at the bibliographies at the back, for this is where the authors found their information. I would rather go straight to the source, if at all possible, rather than get it second hand. Especially if the source is a diary. I have found many old original diaries were released in book form during the colonial revival of the earlier part of the 20th century, and a number of them are still available as reprints.
Well, where did you think I get a lot of my quotes from, the internet??
~ ~ ~
My wife and son at Little Round Top in Gettysburg during sunset. |
The generation that won American independence lives in the ideas we honor, the architecture we preserve and the battlefields we yet can save.”
– RON MAXWELL
~ ~ ~
"Some
kid a hundred years from now is going to get interested in the Civil War and
want to see these places. He's going to go down there and be standing in a
parking lot.
I'm fighting for that kid."
I'm fighting for that kid."
- Brian Pohanka, 1990
~ ~ ~
Recreating a scene from colonial times. Yeah...we were there... |
We who do Rev War prefer to teach."
Well, this person was half right. Yes, it's true that we who reenact the Civil War do strive to be there, but we mostly do it in a teachable manner. I can't imagine reenacting any other way. I do want to experience what our forefathers did, at least, to a small extent. That's why I thoroughly enjoy the opportunity of utilizing a historical house, when possible, and attempt to immerse myself through 1st person.
I have also found, by the way, that there are a number of Rev War reenactors who also want to be there. And that's pretty cool.
~ ~ ~
"The Revolution and the beliefs and ideals that came out of it are what hold us together and make us a united people. There is no American ethnicity, so the Revolutionary beliefs in liberty and equality and constitutionalism are the adhesives that make us a nation."
- Gordon S. Wood
~ ~ ~
Why does my Patriotism bother some folks so much? Not that it matters to me... |
And I don't understand this thought. I mean, the American flag does not belong to any one political party, no matter what anyone says or thinks. It belongs to all Americans. Yes, it belongs to you who protests the President. Yes, and it belongs to you who voted for the President.
And it also belongs to the citizens who didn't vote at all.
And if you won't fly it because you are afraid that you will be thought of as belonging to a certain political party, then shame on you.
I have flown my American flags since moving out of my parent's home way back in the 1980s. My dad flew one while Ford was in office. Then Carter. I carried on the tradition when I moved out during the Reagan years, and then continuing on with Bush 1, Clinton, Bush 2, Obama, and now Trump.
Believe me when I say that there are plenty of things I disagree with on each president mentioned here.
But, still, I fly my flag.
I am not ashamed of being a patriotic American, for my patriotism doesn't stem from whoever is president.
And I do love my country - past and present.
Oh, I don't always agree - and many things happened in our history that I abhor.
But it doesn't take away the fact that I love this, the United States of America.
Yes I do.
And if that bothers you, that's your problem.
Thanks...I just needed to get that off my chest.
~ ~ ~
I was recently told that Paul Revere was a failure during his midnight ride.
"A failure?" I asked. "How?"
"Because," came the reply, "he failed to make it to Concord to warn the citizens that the Regulars were coming to steal their ammunition."
I responded, "Do you realize that he helped develop the entire plan? And do you understand that warning the people of Concord wasn't necessarily his main goal?"
Hancock-Clarke House - Where John Hancock and Samuel Adams were staying the night of April 18, 1775. (photo courtesy of Wikipedia) |
Well, as it turned out, this intelligence was inaccurate, though that wasn't known at the time.
As historian David Hackett Fischer wrote:
"Paul Revere's primary mission was not to alarm the countryside. His specific purpose was to warn Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who were thought to be the object of the expedition. Concord and its military stores were also mentioned to Revere, but only in a secondary way."
So there you have it.
As far as Revere not making it to Concord, he was stopped and captured by a British scouting regiment: "In an instant I saw four of them, who rode up to me with their pistols in their bands, said ''G---d d---n you, stop. If you go an inch further, you are a dead man.'' Immediately Mr. Prescot came up. We attempted to get through them, but they kept before us, and swore if we did not turn in to that pasture, they would blow our brains out."
Yep - I woulda stopped, too.
So he was no failure - he did exactly as he set out to do.
And this, by the way, is why we, as historians, must continue our research in all aspects, and not just take what some people (or Facebook memes) say as truth or fact.
~ ~ ~
My wife the spinner... |
To
be a part of living history is a privilege that I cherish; I would like
to think that those of us in this reenacting community are
making a good attempt to do honor to those of the past in all of its many
forms. We are continuously learning - researching - so we can do our best to bring the words we read to life.
And that can be a very difficult thing to do.
But we're trying.Many visitors don't think twice about living historians and museum presenters who keep alive the crafts, chores, and occupations of long ago. My wife is a good example of this; as a reenactor not only does she crochet and knit (and sew), but she will take a mound of raw wool, covered with grass, twigs, burrs, animal poop, and bugs, then skirt it, wash it, pick it clean, card it, spin it, wash it again, dye it, rinse it...and now it's ready to be knitted or crochet into a hat, socks, scarf, mittens, or any number of useful items.
We can't forget about those who work in the museums or the living historians who will bring their presentations up a few notches - the men who plow behind a team of horses and perform other farmhand chores, the women who do open-hearth or woodstove cooking after preparing the food "the old-fashioned way." Then there are those men and women who keep other period crafts alive such as tinsmithing, running an old-time printing press, make pottery bowls, plates, and cups, coopering, basket makers, leather workers, seamstresses and tailors, hat makers, and even those who drive steam engine locomotives, horse and carriages, and Model T automobiles.
How about something as simple as dressing authentically and accurately so when a modern visitor sees you they are automatically drawn back in time just at the sight.
Add to that: having the knowledge of the past and presenting it verbally in an interesting manner is quite the talent as well.
There is so much more to historical presentation than most folks realize!
Yeah...I'm loving it!
~ ~ ~
Okay...now, remember a while back when I was sorting through my lanterns and candle holders and I realized I had enough different and antiquated ones to do a full blog post?
If not, click HERE
Well, as I was going through my dresser drawers, I realized I had a pretty large collection of "historic" t-shirts depicting the Revolutionary War era.
Never have I ever received so many inquiries and (mostly positive) comments from strangers than when I wear one of these t-shirts, and that excites me because I consider it a teaching moment for American History.
So, for a lark, I took a picture of each - - - here they are:
If not, click HERE
Well, as I was going through my dresser drawers, I realized I had a pretty large collection of "historic" t-shirts depicting the Revolutionary War era.
Never have I ever received so many inquiries and (mostly positive) comments from strangers than when I wear one of these t-shirts, and that excites me because I consider it a teaching moment for American History.
So, for a lark, I took a picture of each - - - here they are:
Here is, perhaps, my favorite. As you can see, it is depicting the midnight ride of Paul Revere. Artsy-types like this one. |
Ahhh...my Betsy Ross flag shirt. Did she or didn't she? She was a flag-maker...hmmm... But there is no proof either way, so quit arguing! |
Though I am of English and German heritage, I am also Sicilian. This shirt is perfect for someone like me, for it pretty much says it all. |
What a cool shirt! One never sees the minute men get their just due. Well, here is a small way I can honor them. |
My wrap-around George Washington crossing the Delaware shirt. It was very expensive but I thought it was cool. It's like I'm wearing a painting. |
A collection of historical flags that thumb their "noses" to the British. Defiance indeed! |
My souvenir t-shirt from Colonial Williamsburg. I. Love. Colonial. Williamsburg. 'nuff said... |
A friend got me this Declaration of Independence shirt when they visited Colonial Williamsburg a few years before I was able to go. |
Yes, I am proud and unapologetically American. And I do believe in our 2nd Amendment rights, as people have for well over 200 years. Here is the back of the same shirt. Yes, I believe this, too. |
A trip through the head of Historical Ken.
It's been one of the more honest and unique postings I've written, but I suppose I have the right to my own thoughts, opinions, and oddities, eh?
Until next time, see you in time.
~ ~ ~
1 comment:
What a wonderful site! I found it because my husband and I are on a mission to help a person we don't even know identify a very old piece of machinery. With your backgrounds, interests, and knowledge of the past, my husband said I should try to send you a photo because you may have seen it at some point. I will try to post it here. Hope it works.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=315445458890884&set=pcb.1895826827301196&type=3&theater
Thank you in advance. I tried to copy/paste the photo but nothing happened, so I've pasted the link. I am one of about 15 people who have given our suggestions. The lady who posted the photo and asked for help identifying this thing researches each suggestion and has come up empty so far. I've already suggested to her that she send her photo to Antiques Roadshow or American Pickers. It was my husband's bright idea to reach out to people who put their energy into learning about and then sharing what they learn, the past, out of love for the project, rather than simply a way to make a living. The item is located somewhere in Florida, Walton County I think. We are in Defuniak Springs, Florida, which is next door to Freeport, Florida, where this post originated. Both are in Walton County, Florida.
Gay D.Maddox
1002 High Lonesome Rd
Defuniak Springs, FL 32435
(850) 419-0805
mikeandwife3@gmail.com
Post a Comment