The Tenuous Future of Living History

[The Miner '49er]

It figures that living history MUST be abolished. Since the all-inclusive DEI woke snowflakes are terrified by what statues "tell" them, imagine the terror that a live reenactor engenders. That was a very interesting, and sad, article; but thank you for posting it.

 

[ronaldrothb49]

A few years ago I went to a park here in Kentucky that had been used by the Union as a supply depot during the Civil War. The old house had been preserved and they had a lady that was telling about how the area had been used then took you through the house explaining all about how it was furnished and how the different rooms were used. Well they had a rifle hanging over a fireplace and I made the comment to the person beside me that was not a good place to hang a rifle, Guess she overheard me because I was told to more or less to shut up that everyone hung their rifles over the fireplace back them. Just walked outside after that one

 

[Sam squanch]

Yeah, most historical interpreters won’t admit an error….. had a 5 minute argument with one lady about why a 1884 trapdoor could not have been used in a civil war battle…..they weren’t made yet!

 

[Polecat_Tom]

I believe it was in 1982 I went to the Winchester House in San Jose, CA and as I was walking through the museum portion, the lady in front of me started complaining about them having Winchester rifles on display. I asked her why she thought there wouldn't be any rifles on display. She just walked off in a huff.

 

[smoothshooter]

I found an interesting and troubling article in the Colorado Sun about living history at Fort Bent Colorado near La Junta. The article tells the story for Fort Bent, named for two brothers, and the condition and future of the living history program there. I t seems the Nat Park Service hired a consultant to evaluate the site and its programs. While the conclusions drawn include relevant concerns about the condition of the aging infrastructure, the whole idea of the value of living history came under scrutiny. I have not been to Ft Bent, but have been to many similar sites. I have not participated in living history events nor am I a reenactor. But I very much appreciate the programs and hard work that it takes to keep these programs going, even when much of the work is done by free, volunteer labor.

I will let those more savvy on the topic read the article and opine, but this, to me smells of "wokeness" as the consultants review hinted at diversity etc, without quite going there. I would hate to think that what some value as tremendous learning opportunities for both the youth and adult "city dwellers", might be erased due to a stroke of the Nat Park Service pen held by a consultant from "who knows where".

Please take a look and read the article. It is not long and I am very interested to hear what the experienced folks here think.

Rick

lol
new link attempt:

https://coloradosun.com/2024/03/11/bents-old-fort-living-history-conflict/

It is almost certainly wokeness and has been coming for a long time.
The Woketards are on a mission to change or destroy anything representing something they don’t like. It’s alive and well in your kids and grandkid’s schools all the way from Kindergarten through college. Anything to make them be ashamed of America.
DEI is at work here and all across the western English-speaking world.
It is just a matter of time until Confederate uniforms and flags are banned from all living history events on public land, and some private as well.

 

[Mike in FL]

I read it. It is so sad that wokeness and DEI have taken hold in this particular arena. But I guess we've all seen it: American history either changed, ignored, or outright deleted.

 

[Mike in FL]

I read it. It is so sad that wokeness and DEI have taken hold in this particular arena. But I guess we've all seen it: American history either changed, ignored, or outright deleted.

I meant to thank Cutnose posting this thread.

 

[Mad Michael]

O.K. we all need to calm down a might and maybe do a bit more research. Thanks a bunch to CuNoseCap for the OP. I had to go out and find out more about it.

The following links break down all the salient points of the report, most of which I understand and reluctantly agree with. The idea of requiring requiring standardized training and correct dress puts a lot of "reenactors" off, Sutter's Fort in California published a 200 page costume book. Getting signatures saying you will comply is another deal breaker for many. Unfortunately when done right and consistently by people who care, it produces a better "product".

This link is pretty much the NPS point of view and breaks down the particulars of the report:

https://seconews.org/article/5590
I would guess it pretty much is going to be how things are going to go.

This next link is more of a true news story as it gives both sides without much editorializing:

https://www.thefencepost.com/news/changes-being-discussed-regarding-bents-old-fort/

It talks about the issue from both sides, one of the pluses is that the Superintendent Ranger invites public comment on this web site:
https://www.nps.gov/beol/contacts.htm
So lets be heard, I've given them my silver 3 cent's worth, Join Me.

Now Consultants:
They come with Politics, Biases, Tunnel Vision, Personal back stories, and the "We'd like you to look into blah, blah because frieberschnaper, frieberschnaper and while your at it we'd like to hear about anything else you see."

This is her story here: https://prycerconsulting.com/about-melissa/

While she may be considered "woke" by many, if we carefully avoid getting our breech-cloths in a knot and jammed up close to the jewels, the real important take away should be that her experience is with museums: you know those things you walk through and look at and read about things or rent the recorder and listen. Therein lies her bias. While not denying or diminishing any of Bent's Old Fort's real problems and issues, the report does reflect a lot of that bias, at least to me.

So, I will remain, as somewhat saddened
but still
Mad Michael

 

[CuNosecap]

Thanks for posting those links, MadMichael. I find it a little out of character for the Park Service to hire such a small, single person firm.

 

[CuNosecap]

I took the opportunity to attend my first reenactment today, the Battle of Guilford Courthouse. I was impressed by the authenticity at so many levels and the dedication it takes to purchase and maintain all the uniforms, weapons and accoutrements.
All in all, a well spent afternoon in Greensboro that confirmed for me the importance of living history.

 

[Mad Michael]

Thanks for posting those links, MadMichael. I find it a little out of character for the Park Service to hire such a small, single person firm.

Me too, Either the superintendent is extremely cost conscious, or he liked her point of view.

 

[Mcat]

There is an amazing guy in northeastern Ontario who has been recreating a 1750s persona and building structures, birchbark canoes and accoutrements for over three years and posting weekly videos of hi quality. Having completed a log cabin, blacksmith shop, food catch, etc. He is now building a complete fort with blockhouses and palisades. Amazing work done by him and his wife who works and videotapes. I have been a weekly viewer for several years now and am always informed and delighted by what I see. Here is non-bureaucratic re-enacting and historical presentation at its best in my opinion. If this link fails, look up The Woodland Escape on YouTube.

 

[Jaeger]

O.K. we all need to calm down a might and maybe do a bit more research. Thanks a bunch to CuNoseCap for the OP. I had to go out and find out more about it.

The following links break down all the salient points of the report, most of which I understand and reluctantly agree with. The idea of requiring requiring standardized training and correct dress puts a lot of "reenactors" off, Sutter's Fort in California published a 200 page costume book. Getting signatures saying you will comply is another deal breaker for many. Unfortunately when done right and consistently by people who care, it produces a better "product".

This link is pretty much the NPS point of view and breaks down the particulars of the report:

https://seconews.org/article/5590
I would guess it pretty much is going to be how things are going to go.

This next link is more of a true news story as it gives both sides without much editorializing:

https://www.thefencepost.com/news/changes-being-discussed-regarding-bents-old-fort/

It talks about the issue from both sides, one of the pluses is that the Superintendent Ranger invites public comment on this web site:
https://www.nps.gov/beol/contacts.htm
So lets be heard, I've given them my silver 3 cent's worth, Join Me.

Now Consultants:
They come with Politics, Biases, Tunnel Vision, Personal back stories, and the "We'd like you to look into blah, blah because frieberschnaper, frieberschnaper and while your at it we'd like to hear about anything else you see."

This is her story here: https://prycerconsulting.com/about-melissa/

While she may be considered "woke" by many, if we carefully avoid getting our breech-cloths in a knot and jammed up close to the jewels, the real important take away should be that her experience is with museums: you know those things you walk through and look at and read about things or rent the recorder and listen. Therein lies her bias. While not denying or diminishing any of Bent's Old Fort's real problems and issues, the report does reflect a lot of that bias, at least to me.

So, I will remain, as somewhat saddened
but still
Mad Michael

A nice comprehensive overview of what is really going on at Bent's Fort. I am not seeing any revisionism or so-called "wokeness" in what they are trying to do there. It sounds like they are trying to the best job they can with the resources they have.

 

[wganz]

This is her story here: https://prycerconsulting.com/about-melissa/

While she may be considered "woke" by many, if we carefully avoid getting our breech-cloths in a knot and jammed up close to the jewels, the real important take away should be that her experience is with museums: you know those things you walk through and look at and read about things or rent the recorder and listen. Therein lies her bias. While not denying or diminishing any of Bent's Old Fort's real problems and issues, the report does reflect a lot of that bias, at least to me.

So, I will remain, as somewhat saddened
but still
Mad Michael

Her work is so outstanding that I didn’t know a Dallas Heritage Village even existed and I live in DFW.


ETA: If you want a peek at the planned future of the fort, check out the events shown for this village.