I was a part of the History 305: Intro to Public History class this past Fall. I did not know what I was going to be doing in this class, but I was excited. I love history and learning about new things. I am also a hands-on person and learn a lot that way. This class allows the student to visit Mead’s Tavern, local libraries, and museums to gain a better understanding of the different aspects of public history. Over the semester, I have attained the skills of starting and using a blog, writing a tour script, giving a tour, and learning more about public history.
By going to the library and different museums, we were able to talk to professionals and gain more insight into how to complete our interpretation projects. The class went on a field trip to the Virginia Museum of History and Culture and the Library of Virginia. The museum gave us ideas on how to properly format interpretive labels. They also mentioned, when giving tours, that guides need to know their audiences. This picture is an exhibit in the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. The Library of Virginia gave us more information on how to do specific research. They recommended using the archives section. The lady said that they are always willing to help if asked. There is so much information that is not able to be scanned, preventing some data from being on the internet.
Later on, we visited the Lynchburg Museum, where Emily Kubota gave us ideas on how to present the artifacts to where they would be adequately seen. She opened an exhibit, letting us see how the Lynchburg Museum displays items in a display case. This was a big help for the team that put together the Archeology project. It also helped when the class put two display cases in the Jerry Falwell Library.
One thing about me is that I am timid. To be placed on the Mead’s Tavern interpretation project group made me anxious. However, with the encouragement from Professor Donald and breathing, I was able to give the tours. After the first couple of tours, surprise, I enjoyed talking history to others who were interested. Once this project was completed, I did a mini project to find more information about the people associated with Mead’s Tavern. I was able to find additional information about the girl’s school and the Kablers. This information will help next year’s class with the added knowledge that will make a visitor’s experience on New London Day greater than it was this past year.
Just recently, the class visited Thomas Jefferson’s retreat house, Poplar Forest. There, the guides spoke on the architecture of the house.
Usually, when one visits a historic home, there are furniture and decorations. However, at Poplar Forest, they only want to have the furniture that they can have physical proof of Thomas Jefferson having in this retreat house. This picture is a dining table that the craftsmen were able to recreate based on Jefferson’s dimensions.
One exciting aspect of Poplar Forest was the way Jefferson’s bedroom layout was. His bed would have been situated in the middle of the room with a small wall on each of the ends of the bed, as seen in this picture.
This is another picture that shows what the bed would have looked like inside this bed frame.
This class can be very beneficial to anyone who wants to have a career in history. They will learn skills that employers look for in a resume. I would encourage others to take this course if you are interested in public history, or any history at all. It does not matter your major; everyone benefits from taking this course.
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