Living History ­

A Confidence Building Pastime

Involvement in a "living history" hobby is an exciting way for children or young adults to realize they are special and have unique talents (of course EVERY child does, but few realize it.) The lessons learned and activities performed as a volunteer or apprentice at a historic site or as a member of a living history group exposes the child to the basics of early machinery, customs, history and crafts. The most practical knowledge and self confidence comes through understanding the things around you and sharing them with others.

On a colonial farm, every family member understood how each piece of equipment worked, even if they couldn't operate or repair it. The basic functions are still the same. If your family volunteers at a historical farmstead, your child will gain a thorough understanding of what happens between the gathering of a raw material and the final packaged product on a store shelf.

Our family became involved with colonial history in the late 1960's. The first step was to join the Goschenhoppen Historians (a Pennsylvania German historical society) where we took active parts in their annual Folk Festivals. Fraktur art, funnel cake making, horn smithing and tape loom weaving involved both parents and our three young children. These crafts were practiced at home by all of us. The fraktur art was fun but the letters were strange, the funnel cakes were tasty (once we tested enough old recipes), the boiling cow horns were so vile even the flies left, and the tape looms (accurately made by our daughter's grandfather) proved to be easy to work, even without looking! Together, we all learned while building diverse knowledge and pride in each others' crafts.

My son, Scott, and I researched and mastered horn smithing, a craft that is now extinct (at least professionally in this country). It was a great confidence-builder to think he had a skill that NONE of his friends, or even his school teachers, had. At nine years old, he became the center of genuine interest as he demonstrated the tools and explained the ways of producing items made of horn, bone, antler and tortoise shells. Combine a unique expertise with the opportunity to educate adults, and you have a great recipe for self-esteem!

My wife, Donna, oversaw the "pastimes" section of the festival for many years. This involved crafts and activities such as children's games and making corn husk dolls. Val and Ginny, our two daughters, mastered these traditional endeavors with ease, but their special talent was working their tape looms. These small, shoebox sized looms produce a narrow cloth "tape" and are operated like larger looms but are easier to transport. The girls demonstrated and then helped visitors (of all ages) take a turn at weaving. They had a unique knowledge and were delighted to be teaching adults. Not bad for being only 8 and 9 years old!

Our youngest daughter, Ginny was in 4th grade when she proved her confidence, knowledge and courage when her class visited the Mercer Museum (a famous colonial tool museum in Doylestown). The guide escorting the classes pointed out a tape loom in a display, and mentioned that no one at the museum could make it work properly. A teacher told the guide that Ginny demonstrated these looms at a craft festival. After the tour, with the teacher and museum staff looking on, our elementary schooler made an adjustment or two, quickly wove a couple inches, and then taught them how to operate it. A 10 year-old teaching college graduates.

We (well, mostly Scott and I) became involved with a re-created Revolutionary War regiment. This eventually meant a lot of travel, even taking us to France and England. Scott, our (then) 11 year old drummer, held the "look" of the regiment in his young hands. Without a steady beat, the soldiers would quickly get out of step. The drummer must have confidence and concentration to make the unit look impressive. And the youngest member of the regiment had that responsibility!

In 1975 our regiment took part in the bicentennial of the Arnold Expedition to Quebec. This was a ten day adventure traveling from Maine to Quebec in US Army trucks, living in tents and taking part in many parades. The highlight was a HUGE battle reenactment on the Plains of Abraham. Upon returning to his junior high school, Scott, by then a 12 year-old "veteran," went from classroom to classroom, in uniform with his drum, giving a recap to each class. Confidence and self pride strikes again.

Our children grew up knowing they were special and unique individuals. All three gained an understanding of what it was like dressing and living at the time of their great, great grandparents. Their "living history" experiences with the family gave them confidence to believe in themselves.

There are many opportunities to get your family involved in "living history." You can help with a local folk festival, an historic farmstead, a Native American powwow, a colonial period group, a Victorian mansion or a re-created military group. It is an adventure-filled way for your family to bond. Once you get used to the "funny" clothes, the rest is easy. Do it for the kids' confidence and you'll never regret it.

Jack Armstrong is an active member of the Goschenhoppen Historians, Peter Wentz Farmstead and the Ist Continental Regiment. He is also the proud grandfather of a newly proficient 9 year old tape loom expert.

October/November 2005 issue of Parents' Source

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