Right now, I'm totally picturing the stacks of partial journals I have stuffed in every random shelf and cubby, haha! I totally have that same struggle and will start a fresh journal whenever I put too much pressure on the current one. I love that you found that old yellowed diary with your interpretation notes!
This is SO APT and fascinating, and I hadn't yet read that previous article you wrote on first-person historical interpretation. What a helpful glimpse. This is what has prevented me from doing historical interpretation at our Medieval living history museum: I feel like I would particularly struggle with the acting portion, because it would feel inherently incomplete and draining. For instance, at our Medieval museum, there are ferns and undergrowth everywhere (it's essentially in a forested hill)...but in the period we're exploring, that would have been long removed.
I'd much prefer a living history museum that takes a note from the Ruth Goodman shows - in the dress and tradition of the era and explaining the work to visitors, but not pretending.
This was so interesting to read, and definitely an element of historical interpreters that I don't think about. I can imagine that it's very emotionally draining! I loved the story about the Mennonites. What a great post, thanks!
Right now, I'm totally picturing the stacks of partial journals I have stuffed in every random shelf and cubby, haha! I totally have that same struggle and will start a fresh journal whenever I put too much pressure on the current one. I love that you found that old yellowed diary with your interpretation notes!
This is SO APT and fascinating, and I hadn't yet read that previous article you wrote on first-person historical interpretation. What a helpful glimpse. This is what has prevented me from doing historical interpretation at our Medieval living history museum: I feel like I would particularly struggle with the acting portion, because it would feel inherently incomplete and draining. For instance, at our Medieval museum, there are ferns and undergrowth everywhere (it's essentially in a forested hill)...but in the period we're exploring, that would have been long removed.
I'd much prefer a living history museum that takes a note from the Ruth Goodman shows - in the dress and tradition of the era and explaining the work to visitors, but not pretending.
Yes! Ruth Goodman is such a stellar example who aspire to! 🥰 Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
This was so interesting to read, and definitely an element of historical interpreters that I don't think about. I can imagine that it's very emotionally draining! I loved the story about the Mennonites. What a great post, thanks!
Thank you! It's a job I miss sometimes, but not too much. 😅