How to Make History Fun: Live It!
.
For decades now our American school systems have been pumping out bright young people who have largely been short-changed of the joy of history discovery. We say “discovery” since history “study” has been implemented to some extent, however forced study of censored facts and figures has only served to bore young people out of their minds.
The result?
We now have a society that largely esteems history to be “Boring and irrelevant,” and that can’t remember the “irrelevant stuff” they learned during their K-12 careers.
…Have you listened to any political radio talk shows lately? If you have, you know what we’re talking about!
Publicly speaking, our first task is to encourage our education decision makers to support those textbook publishers who dare – and we mean dare – to include historically controversial materials in their work (preferably in post-revisionist style).
We all need to realize this will take time since the gate keepers responsible for text book purchasing aren’t going to be quick to risk their careers just so young charges have the chance to examine all the warts and other nasties contained in our honest human history!
But don’t despair. Even if the textbooks at your disposal are lame there are a number of other ways to turn history learning into a natural passion, even for those turned off by academic boredom. (See resources below).
One of those ways is through living history.
Somehow living history touches the inner child in us. There’s an element of “pretend” that is artistic, warm and fuzzy, as well as an element of heightened intelligence. History reenacting goes beyond just acting; it also begs the hunt for primary source information in order to satisfy our curiosity, and solve historical mysteries.
…And solving historical mysteries is fun!
Consequently there are history reenacting groups springing up today all across America, and throughout Europe. Though still small in relative numbers, it is one of the fasting growing pastimes in the western hemisphere.
The Live It! pages here on LPH have been designed to inspire and encourage participation in this burgeoning new hobby. Each page offers specific ideas, along with the best known resources to achieve those ideas.
Although the Live It! pages will continue to expand in years to come, you can always jump ahead of us and get inspiration from our members in the LPH Community.
.
Would You Like to Contribute?
We’re eager to welcome contributors! If you have knowledge in any of the following areas, let us know of your interest to contribute and we can work out a happy arrangement:
Medieval Weddings
Renaissance Weddings
Roman chariot manufacture and racing
Shoe Making: Historical Heels and All for Him and Her
.
Resources
LPH Squidoo Lens – Squidoo.com/PlayHistory, offers step-by-step instruction for creating living history events or groups
Free Group Charter – The LPH Group Charter is a generic form that you customize for new group formation. You’ll need this charter as it spells out who is responsible for what, and how monies will be handled.
Free Historical Party Checklist – Just want to create a one time historically-themed party? This planning checklist will help!
LPH FAQ’s – Addresses various ways to make history fun for young and old alike.
