ewoaf
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Post by ewoaf on Aug 11, 2022 8:21:17 GMT -7
Hawkeyes, I appreciate both you and Ryan saying that. It can be difficult which is why it takes a particular sort of personality. I would not be so bold as to say Mount Vernon is hitting the mark, but their missing it a lot less than other venues in my area. The MVLA is definitely on Washington's side which is saying a lot compared to other museums. With the kneejerk reactions to the "summer of love" it seems that most establishments are steering their interpretation virtually altogether towards issues of slavery, indigenous victimisation, and women's issues to seemingly eclipse anything nationally foundational. I think the pendulum is just doing that swinging thing, hopefully to settle in the middle soon, but as more funding to museums such as MV, Monticello, and CW is coming from "benefactors" and donors belonging to .orgs such as the CFR and WEF I have my doubts that things are getting better for public history anytime soon.
Ryan, thanks,I do present living history exclusively from the fist person which makes it even more challenging than otherwise for what should be obvious reasons. Naturally that's where the interpretation part of being an historical interpreter comes in to play as I'd never treat an African American guest to Highland as James Monroe might have, no more than treat one at Scotchtown as Patrick Henry might have. The first person also allows me to sort of temper the discussion because I get to demonstrate the sort of cognitive dissonance that someone who owned other human beings went through by referring to "my people" or "my servants" rather than my slaves or negroes. The former shows up in primary sources much more often around here than the latter. Remember, in first person I have to defend myself just as they undoubtedly would have. While that puts me at risk of looking like an apologist and I think walking that line is worth conveying the point that we in the modern world share a vastly different perspective. I agree it's much more powerful and emotional in a positive way.
For other reasons I do sometimes wish to make my audience uncomfortable, if only a little. When I'm touched on the shoulder for example, or addressed in an extremely informal manner I'll quickly and firmly correct someone by reminding them of the etiquette. I think that helps alleviate just a bit of the suspension of disbelief and helps people respectfully see that character as a bit more real which is also why I never break character for any reason. Recent reviews have reenforced that it's the way to go as people don't expect that due to the difficulty.
Ultimately what it all boils down to is that our nation's history is becoming all too uncomfortable for a lot of people, usually those most outspoken about the need to have those uncomfortable conversations. There obviously is a decent amount of racism within the community, so I think there's the push towards eliminating a lot of public history as a whole knowing subjects of early American minorities are getting eliminated along with it. There also seems to be a lot of pushback towards telling positive stories of black or Native empowerment which seems fishy to me.
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RyanAK
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 11, 2022 8:43:17 GMT -7
Fascinating to have an inside look from a professional point of view which I’m sure is vastly different than what some volunteer organizations face. Which is vastly different than armatures in, say, a Memorial Day parade.
More soon when I’m not standing 90’ up on the boiler steel…
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Post by brokennock on Aug 11, 2022 14:36:37 GMT -7
...There also seems to be a lot of pushback towards telling positive stories of black or Native empowerment which seems fishy to me. Certain groups in power or trying to maintain or gain power, need certain other groups to be victims or at least maintain a victim mentality. If stories are conveyed of blacks or natives or women finding empowerment, even during our darker periods, some groups that have been lead to feel marginalized may potentially become inspired and shake off that victim mentality. Also, I too thank you for some truly well-spoken and insightful answers here. Part of me in intrigued by the idea of doing what we are so interested in for a living and wonders what boxes one must check to be an interpreter at a historic sight. But, at the same time the idea sets off some serious social anxiety fireworks. |
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Post by artificer on Aug 12, 2022 5:09:18 GMT -7
Part of me in intrigued by the idea of doing what we are so interested in for a living and wonders what boxes one must check to be an interpreter at a historic sight. But, at the same time the idea sets off some serious social anxiety fireworks.Is there anywhere near you that you could volunteer to do living history and thus for you to find out if it may be something worth pursuing? Though health issues and age have stopped me from doing it, I did volunteer at different historic places doing living history for decades and really enjoyed it. Now, I personally would not have tried to do it for a living, but that didn't mean I didn't have fun doing it. Gus |
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Post by artificer on Aug 12, 2022 5:39:55 GMT -7
Anything having to do with slavery from the slave-owner perspective or atrocities committed by non-whites. Some people would absolutely lose their $..t I'm with ya. My experience within ACW living history is that the slavery subject was completely ignored by most reenactors portraying Southern military men. The Lost Cause rhetoric prevailed, which I think was actually more frustrating to the public than acknowledging slavery's place in the history. In this case, it was a lack of fortitude on the part of many reenactors to present an accurate portrayal rather than 'public outrage'. Realizing that a lot of the board isn't involved in public interpretation, what are some strategies for navigating these subjects? How do we marry 'modern sensibilities' with honest, unvarnished history? When I did ACW and we were looking to form a new Southron unit, we asked Robert Krick, the Senior Historian for the Fredericksburg Area National Battlefield Parks (four in all, plus other sites) for suggestions on what local unit we might choose. (Bob eventually did the series of books on the Virginia Regiments.) Bob informed us there were three Regiments from which we might choose. One was a unit of old men, who only did guard duty, so we quickly discarded that one. The second was a little closer to what we were looking for, but the third sounded downright great. At this time, Bob knew some of us, but he was professionally careful in the way he brought up the historic fact that our Company Chaplain was a Free Black Minister (and thus a fully Commissioned Confederate Army Officer with the rank of 1st Lt. and later promoted to Captain before the war ended). When I heard that, I exclaimed, "That's GREAT!!! What can you tell us about him?" Bob then informed us he hadn't thought that would bother us, but he was pleasantly surprised by our enthusiasm. Your persona may or may not have owned a slave or slaves during your time period, but I think it far more likely your persona would have bought the contract for one or more indentured servants, if he did anything like that at all. In my case, I never did an 18th century impression wealthy enough to have owned slaves. Further, my first paternal ancestor in this country came here as an "Indentured Servant for life," because he had been in the Uprising of the '15. So no one in either of my family lines ever owned slaves. Gus |
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ewoaf
City-dweller
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Post by ewoaf on Aug 12, 2022 7:13:24 GMT -7
The anxiety thing is very simple to get around. If you study the material long enough, know it frontwards, backwards, and in your sleep... You eventually get to the point where talking about it in front of the public won't bother you. I still get moments of anxiety even before speaking to small groups of middle schoolers because maybe I haven't done it in a while, or maybe I should have read up on something, or maybe they'll throw me that oddball question. Every single time though, I get out there in front of them and it always goes just fine because I have put in the work to make sure all that material is packed away somewhere in my brain. If you spend $500 on your kit you better have spent $1k on books, and don't confuse simplicity with ease.
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RyanAK
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 12, 2022 7:23:59 GMT -7
I haven't done this in a while, so maybe my impression of public interaction - specifically "negative" public pushback, in-person, during interpretation of 'controversial' subjects - isn't necessarily accurate. If we go back to the original post, it seems that PHMC was contacted by someone from out of state... which got the political turmoil started. Maybe this is a phenomenon present in media and not necessarily widespread at sites and events? Is it all just yelling points for internet outrage??
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RyanAK
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Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 12, 2022 8:15:55 GMT -7
Also, I too thank you for some truly well-spoken and insightful answers here. Part of me in intrigued by the idea of doing what we are so interested in for a living and wonders what boxes one must check to be an interpreter at a historic sight. But, at the same time the idea sets off some serious social anxiety fireworks. The social anxiety is something I had to work through as a younger person when I started. There were/are levels of comfort for me. Easiest - anonymous person in a 'unit'. Little public interaction, like an extra in a movie. "I don't think I rolled enough cartridges! This is a real powder burner!! Woooo Haaa!!!"
Pretty easy - small public demonstrations where another person is doing the talking. More up-close public scrutiny, but low anxiety. Sargent: "...Then the barrel of the gun is swabbed with a wet sponge to extinguish any embers from the previous round... " You: Swab swab swab. Moderate difficulty - small, intimate presentations in third-person that have been planned ahead of time. You control the narrative. Public has chosen to interact and has in interest in history. "This is the kind of kettle a settler would have cooked with."
Difficult - first-person 'immersion' events that aren't public... but the 'audience' members are other knowledgeable living historians. Tough but encouraging crowd. I found this to be wonderful. "John at the tavern said Boston men boarded a ship and tossed the King's coffee into the harbor!" "Uh... I think it was tea, wasn't it?" "Dammit!" "That's ok. Keep going!" This is my absolute favorite type of living history and I truly hope I can find events like this. I learned more in a 3-day weekend than I did from years of research. Darn Hard - first-person presentation in a formal setting, such as a lecture hall. Tough to do well, but the 'interaction' with the audience is low and you control the narrative. Story telling. Public has an interest in history. "When I was 17 I boarded a steamer..." I've never done this sort of thing. 'HOLY COW!' Hard - first-person interpretation at a site with roving bands of uneducated, possibly uninterested, tourists, some of whom have a political agenda to prove to their audience. "We've gathered here at the fort because of the recent hostilities along the frontier. The Indians..." "You mean 'Native Americans'. He means 'Native Americans', sweetie." "...have killed the Henniger men and have taken Mrs. Henniger and young John captive." "Hey, is that Ben Franklin?" "What?... No." "Mom! I want a soda!" "As soon as the captain determines we have enough men..." "Is that a real gun?" "YOU FILTHY COLONIZER!!! YOU'RE THE REASON THERE'S GLOBAL WARMING!!" "...we'll start off after them. They're likely heading to the big island on the West Branch." I've done this a number of times at minor sites/events and really enjoyed it. Mostly. Most shocking moment? While doing Confederate foragers at South Mountain, an older fella in a camo field jacket comes up and hands each guy in the group a card... stating that we were 'honorary' Knights of the Klu Klux Klan. You just find the level of interaction you're comfortable with and give it a go. This can change as you develop your understanding of a subject and get better at presenting. Good groups and sites will work on this with new interpreters. As for the 'professional' aspect, I only ever did volunteer work. ewoaf likely could give insight into how the world of professional interpreters works. |
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 12, 2022 11:13:06 GMT -7
My alternate persona is a naturalist attached to a Corps of engineers. It feeds into my real life as a scientist, so I know a little more that the average person about science now and then. This allows me to expound on leeches, maggots and other things that are still used in medicine and BS like cupping...
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Post by spence on Aug 12, 2022 13:55:10 GMT -7
This allows me to expound on leeches, maggots and other things that are still used in medicine and BS like cupping... But..but... I thought this forum was dedicated to celebrating the traditional. Such as this...  Cupping doesn't work? We're doomed.  Spence |
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Post by brokennock on Aug 12, 2022 15:06:24 GMT -7
Thank you for the ideas and suggestions fellas.
The social anxiety is more general than a specific anxiety of speaking in public.
I'm fine running a stage or even an entire club level IDPA match. I've run stages at championship matches at the state, regional and local level. But, I am in my element so to speak.
But, the problem seems to be getting worse, not better.
I don't do well with crowds, I avoid most public interactions, don't really go to movies, bars, other public social places. I only go to new restaurants with certain select friends.
Sorry for the personal derailment.
For all the history that has happened in Connecticut, the only real historic site with much going on locally is, Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA.
I believe they are more focused on early 1800's.
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Post by artificer on Aug 13, 2022 0:19:54 GMT -7
Thank you for the ideas and suggestions fellas. The social anxiety is more general than a specific anxiety of speaking in public. I'm fine running a stage or even an entire club level IDPA match. I've run stages at championship matches at the state, regional and local level. But, I am in my element so to speak. But, the problem seems to be getting worse, not better. I don't do well with crowds, I avoid most public interactions, don't really go to movies, bars, other public social places. I only go to new restaurants with certain select friends. Sorry for the personal derailment. For all the history that has happened in Connecticut, the only real historic site with much going on locally is, Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA. I believe they are more focused on early 1800's. The first time I was the Match Director for a Regional Match for NRA Service Rifle Championships with all the Big Armed Forces Team and many Civilians, I was a 22 year old Sergeant. However and probably much like you, I had worked my way up from the bottom rung of being a Block Official and all the way up. So if you decide you might like to get into living history, I suggest doing it in a similar manner. Start small and learn as you go. You know much more than the average person right now. Have you ever contacted any historic home to do living history on their grounds and on the persona you have been working on? You may be surprised how readily some, if not most places will agree, though they might like to see a demonstration ahead of time. Gus |
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Post by artificer on Aug 13, 2022 0:29:10 GMT -7
Back on the topic of Native Impressions.
To my mind, as long as one is trying their best to do a good impression and is being respectful of the culture, I don't see a problem with it.
For years, my persona was as a Private Soldier in the Major's Coy of the Black Watch. Though I have strong Scottish roots, I was never in the British Army. I always figured by doing my best to represent them, I was honoring them. I've actually been stopped by some British Army Veterans and that included one WWII Black Watch veteran, who complimented me on the way I did it.
Gus
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 979
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Post by RyanAK on Aug 13, 2022 8:36:42 GMT -7
Thank you for the ideas and suggestions fellas. The social anxiety is more general than a specific anxiety of speaking in public. I'm fine running a stage or even an entire club level IDPA match. I've run stages at championship matches at the state, regional and local level. But, I am in my element so to speak. But, the problem seems to be getting worse, not better. I don't do well with crowds, I avoid most public interactions, don't really go to movies, bars, other public social places. I only go to new restaurants with certain select friends. Sorry for the personal derailment. For all the history that has happened in Connecticut, the only real historic site with much going on locally is, Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA. I believe they are more focused on early 1800's. Rev War, but... www.fortgriswold.org/ |
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Post by Black Hand on Aug 13, 2022 9:16:26 GMT -7
I don't do well with crowds, I avoid most public interactions, don't really go to movies, bars, other public social places. I get it, as I am very much the same way. That said, I have learned to tolerate these things (in a somewhat limited manner) even though it can leave me feeling exhausted depending on the specific situation. Then again, the sheer number of people in Montana is a fraction of what you are likely dealing with where you live. The entire population of Montana would be a non-descript suburb in some states. |
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