Living History

By Andrea Boeshaar



Today's tidbit: If you want to learn about our country's history...live it. 

Of course, it's impossible to turn back the hands of time 150 years to the days of the American Civil War and you can't walk the cobbled streets of Jamestown during the American Revolution. However, one can visit museums, landmarks, take walking tours, and attend reenactments.

I attended a Civil War reenactment during Civil War Weekend last fall at the Wade House here in Wisconsin. I walked through both Yankee and Rebel campsites. I visited with women and asked about their dresses. I heard one lady discuss medical instruments used during that day.

One gentleman explained how the slang phrase, "the whole shebang" came into being. During the War Between the States each soldier was given half a shebang or tent. When they conjoined it with a buddy's...yep, they got an entire tent. The whole shebang. 

Kids especially can benefit from visiting historical places and/or attending reenactments. I still remember my parents taking us kids to the Vicksburg battlefield. We took turns sitting on the cannons and played tag. And while it didn't mean a lot at the time, it's a memory I'll carry with me forever. 

So instead of helping your children, or yourself, understand American history through textbooks and pictures or movies, consider living it this year.