Blog Feed

Public History- Mini-Project

labontegirl06
https://csbs.uni.edu/history/public-history-programs.

Public history uses a variety of facets. Some facets include documentaries, archeology, historic preservation, oral history, interpretation through tours, and reenactments. One facet I would like to talk about is interpretation through tours. Before one can give a tour of the historic house or museum, he or she needs to become familiar with the information. One way they can do that is by researching. Recently, a group of classmates put together an interpretation project that designed the tour script for a historic house, Mead’s Tavern. To understand what we were to talk about, we had to look at previously researched material, as well as to do additional research. It is hard to put all the information together in one short tour. That tour would have probably last hours with the information available.

Mead’s Tavern.

When giving tours, the tour guide needs to pick out the significant topics and information about the house or museum that the visitors would like to hear. Not everyone enjoys listening to the same information. So, it is essential to alter the tour script as it seems fitting to become attractive to the visitors, no matter the age. Another rule found in “10 Tips for Being a Good Tour Guide” to follow is to end on time. Not many people want to stay on a tour that talks too much about something that becomes boring to them after the first minute. Instead of focusing on a piece of wood for five minutes, talk about other aspects of the house or museum. By keeping your tour short and sweet, the tour guide will be able to have time for questions, if any, and to stay on track for the next tour.

Library display case showing items from New London Day.

Interpretation is telling a story. Tour guides need to know the goals of giving tours. One of the main goals of a tour is to tell an account of the people who lived in the house or the people and artifacts in a museum. One way to engage the visitors is by connecting the story to a person. On the Mead’s Tavern tour, we connected the story of the house to William Mead and then the girl’s school to Samuel Miller and so on. People would rather listen to a well-written story than a list of facts that go in one ear and out the other. To tell the best story, the tour guide needs to do the best researching they can. Through researching for my interpretation project, we found additional information regarding the many stories of Mead’s Tavern. Some of the information from my interpretation project tour artifacts and other projects from New London Day are displayed in the library. This is to encourage students to visit the event and also to sign up to be a part of it next year. The display case houses the artifacts used during the tours with items such as an original floor plan of Mead’s Tavern in 1763, a receipt from a student at the girl’s school, an insurance card ink blotter, and the historic structures report. These cases give an overview of the history there in New London, Virginia.

New London Female Academy. The Enquirer.
Oct. 22, 1813.

Interpreting history through tours leads to my mini-project. I decided to find out more information on the other people of Mead’s Tavern as it progressed. While researching more details about the New London Female Academy, I came across this advertisement in The Enquirer, giving a brief overview of the girl’s school and what subjects and activities they were participating in. The article mentions that the girls could have engaged in music and dancing at an added cost. After the tavern transitioned out of a girl’s school, it became a doctor’s office for the Kablers.

Dr. Thaddeus Kabler.
Dr. Nicholas Kabler.

Dr. T. Kabler, along with his son Nicholas, held their practice at Mead’s Tavern in New London, Virginia. As I began researching them, I was able to find pictures of the Kabler men that could help personalize the future tours giving the visitors a face to the story. There was also an advertisement for the Bedford Alum Springs with testimonies of how miraculously healing the springs were. Dr. T. Kabler compliments the springs for their natural healing powers. Further research led me to an article saying how the father was accidentally shot in the foot, requiring an amputation. Dr. T. Kabler eventually healed and was getting along fine with his prosthetic foot. However, he retired and eventually died due to a fractured femur. The son, Dr. Nicholas Kabler, carried on the business. Dr. N. Kabler was involved in a “suicide” examination case. To where he examined the dead person. He found eight stab wounds leading to the diagnosis of the man as a victim of murder. There are a few stories regarding the Kablers that could be added into the tour script, giving that time in period more of a story.

William Abbott’s Artwork. The Times Dispatch. Aug. 31, 1913.

The next person in Mead’s Tavern was William Abbott. Unfortunately, I only found one small article about him. This article was in The Times-Dispatch thanking the editor for sending him a badge. He also included a hand-drawn picture, hoping it would get published. Further research will be needed to tell the story of when the tavern became an insurance office under William Abbott.

Overall, by gathering information through researching, the tour guide is able to give a more complete story of the house or museum. One will never have the “complete” account, but they could develop one that is close to it by finding primary sources. Then, by putting the sources together, one is able to create a story that will attract all ages to learn more about public history. From this one facet of public history, interpretation of tours, people can willingly learn a story through a tour rather than being told a list of facts.

Bibliography

“10 Tips for Being a Good Tour Guide: National Trust for Historic Preservation.” National Trust for Historic Preservation, January 5, 2016. https://savingplaces.org/stories/10-tuesday-tips-good-tour-guide#.XeWZJtV7l9A.

Heffern, Sarah. “10 Tips for Organizing a Community Tour: National Trust for Historic Preservation.” National Trust for Historic Preservation, March 12, 2013. https://savingplaces.org/stories/10-on-tuesday-10-tips-for-organizing-a-community-tour#.XeWcbdV7l9A.

Christian Worldview in History

labontegirl06

Christian worldview refers to the framework of one’s beliefs through which a Christian interprets the world. Living in a secular society is a big reason for Christian historians to stand out and be bold about their faith. In Romans 12:2, it says, “Do not conform to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds.” By knowing who we are in Christ, we can be the light in the darkness to a lost world.

If the person does not have an understanding of why they are here on earth, then how can they understand the past? As Dr. Clyde Wilson said, the person has first to read and know the Bible in order to know and understand history.[1]  

Figure 1. Athiest World View.  LiveoutloudforGod.com. https://livelifeoutloudforgod.com/family-life-parenting/the-battle-christian-kids-in-public-school-with-a-biblical-or-secular-worldview/.

Dr. Sam Smith mentioned that a Christian worldview sees people and events of history through God’s perspective. Dr. Smith quoted John Calvin when he said, “Christians should view the world through the lens of Scripture.”[2] Seeing that people are born in the image of God should change our outlook on them. Seeing people, the way God sees them should shape the way we tell history.

A Christian worldview in history does not refer to spiritualizing history by attaching Bible verses to make a point. The Christian worldview in history is objective, honest, and ethical.[3]

Figure 2. Christian World View. LiveoutloudforGod.com. https://livelifeoutloudforgod.com/family-life-parenting/the-battle-christian-kids-in-public-school-with-a-biblical-or-secular-worldview/.

For Christian historians, when writing history, we need to adhere to some guidelines. We ultimately need to remember that Jesus Christ is central to human history.[4] Once we understand this, then we can see throughout history how the Lord has allowed good things and bad things to happen through His Will. The Christian historian Darryl Hart mentions that,

“The Doctrine of Providence teaches that God is at work in everything both good and not so good, but to determine what God intended in a particular event is another matter altogether.”[5]

Figure 3. Darryl Hart.

Christian historians simply cannot put in Bible verses to win a topic or to discredit another historian. Another guideline is being committed to objectivity and honesty is essential.[6] The goal of the historian is to interpret the past. By doing this effectively and accurately, we can glorify God through our work.

Overall, understanding what a Christian worldview in history is important because it challenges the historian to become better. It requires the historian to avoid having any bias. The overarching concept that Christian historians should understand is that even though man is sinful, God is sovereign over all history.

[1] Wilson, Dr. Clyde. “Conservatism and History.” Interview by Dr. Carey Roberts. Liberty University. Lynchburg, Va.

[2] Smith, Dr. Samuel. “Christian Worldview and History.” Presentation, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.

[3] Ibid.

[4] Ibid.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

Reflections

labontegirl06

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.

New London Day Reflection

labontegirl06

Leading up to the event, New London Day, put on by Liberty University and the Friends of New London, many people were working endlessly on the final touches of their projects. I had the privilege of working on the Mead’s Tavern project. This entailed writing a tour script that would give the visitors an understanding of New London as a whole but centered around Mead’s Tavern specifically. If one were to look at all the information regarding New London, he or she would become overwhelmed. Throughout looking up information regarding Mead’s Tavern and Roland’s Girl’s School, the group had to limit what information was told. On New London Day, I was a tour guide who gave the history of the tavern, how it transitioned into a girl’s school, and then on other stories of this building leading up to the present. This building, that William Mead built in 1763, holds many stories waiting to be uncovered.  

I did not know what else to do, other than mentally, to prepare myself for giving the tours. I had the tour script in hand, which I used the first couple of tours and then only referred to it if I lost track of my train of thought. I did not have any previous experience of giving tours before going into New London Day. One thing that I did enjoy was telling the story of Mead’s Tavern to people who were genuinely interested in its history. There were a couple of the children who were paying attention to the information and wanted to answer some of the questions. Many people wanted to take a tour of the building, but due to the preservation of the structure, we had to limit the number of visitors per tour. The whole day was full of packed tours every fifteen minutes. I believe that if New London Day went on longer than the hours scheduled, more people would have been waiting in line to take a tour.

After researching, I have gathered an in-depth understanding of New London and Mead’s Tavern. The value of real-life interpretation enables one to learn more about public history. It was an experience that will last a lifetime. Mead’s Tavern is one of the main buildings in New London. It is actually the oldest structure still standing. That being said, I believe that Mead’s Tavern was one of the highlights of New London Day. Hopefully, in the years to come, the Bedford Alum Springs Hotel will give the architectural historians and archeologists a story that could be told in tours. It was nice to see how Mead’s Tavern is linked to a couple of sites in New London. One specifically would be the Bedford Alum Springs Hotel. The connection was made in finding a Revolutionary War military button from Wayne’s Legion in the archeology done on the porch at Mead’s Tavern. The button would be connected to the arsenal that is presumably located on the hotel land. Through the archeology discoveries, historians have some answers to the many questions regarding the lives of the people who lived in New London, Virginia. Overall, New London Day was a great day for people of all ages to learn more about their local history.

The group at Mead’s Tavern

Meredith Lambeth Jr.

labontegirl06

Cemetery Research Blog

By: Cayla Christmas

Name of Deceased: Meredith Lambeth Jr.

Date of Birth: 1766

Date of Death: March 25, 1836

Location: Range 12, Lot 12, 1 East

The Grave of Meredith Lambeth, who is buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery in Lynchburg, VA, says, “Beneath this stone repose the remains of Meredith Lambeth who died on the 25th of March 1836 in the 70th year of his age. An active and useful life was his. Ever dear and sacred be his memory. Also in the same grave are the remains of Elizabeth Price, his beloved wife who died 14th of May 1843 in her 70th year.” An interesting fact is that both Meredith and his wife, Elizabeth died in their 70th year of life. The Lambeth’s gravestone is flat and built off the ground with bricks. The low monument tombstone was a common way of burying people during that time.

Meredith Lambeth Jr., born to Meredith and Francis Lambeth, was born in King William County, VA, in 1766. Lambeth died in Campbell County, VA, in 1836. Meredith’s Grandfather, John Lambeth was a captain of a ship living in Norfolk, VA. Meredith’s father was also a mariner and was the captain of the “Jenny.” No evidence has been found that Meredith Jr. was a mariner like his father and grandfather. In 1792, Meredith Jr. married Elizabeth Price in Richmond, VA. The two went on to have several children. The children are Elizabeth Francis Lambeth-1795, William Lewis Lambeth-1800, Sarah Lucinda Lambeth-1801, Mary Jane Lambeth- 1802, Susan Ann Dangerfield Lambeth-1803, Samuel Meredith Lambeth- 1809, and Caroline P. Lambeth-1814. During Meredith’s life, he became a slave owner living in Campbell County.

An exciting story found in The Secret Life of Bacon Tait, a White Slave Trader Married to a Free Woman of Color mentions how Meredith almost lost his life. On December 4, 1818, a runaway slave had found his way to Meredith’s detached slave’s kitchen. This runaway slave talked with one of Meredith’s slaves, asking for some water. Instead of Meredith’s slave getting the runaway slave water, he notified Meredith Lambeth of the runaway. As soon as Meredith made his way into the room, the runaway slave shot Meredith in the right eye with a gun, making him fall down supposedly “dead.” Lambeth’s slaves were able to hold down the runaway trying to kill him. However, Meredith Lambeth, who was just shot in the eye, got up and intervened between the slaves. Usually, when slaves attack a “master” their punishment would most likely be death. However, I would say that Meredith Lambeth was more of a gracious man. Instead of letting his own slaves defend him against the runaway, Lambeth decided to take charge and intervene to save the runaway’s life. This mercy that Lambeth gave to the runaway would not be seen in most of the slave owners. Through this story, one can gather a little of the character of Meredith Lambeth. The runaway slave was imprisoned in the Campbell County Jail and eventually died while he was in there. Meredith did not die from the bullet to the eye but lived eighteen more years before passing away in 1836.

  • “Brief Abstract of Lower Norfolk County and Norfolk County Wills, 1637-.” Google Books. Google. Accessed October 10, 2019. https://books.google.com/books
  • “The Secret Life of Bacon Tait, a White Slave Trader Married to a Free Woman of Color.” Google Books. Google. Accessed October 10, 2019. https://books.google.com/books 42.
The top of the gravestone
  • Meredith Lambeth’s Wife, Elizabeth Price
  • Side view of gravestone
  • Meredith Lambeth’s Gravestone

*Pictures taken at Presbyterian Cemetery in Lynchburg, Va.

Interpretation Project

labontegirl06
Mead’s Tavern 1941

The interpretation project for Mead’s Tavern mainly consists of guided tours with a few signs and labels. The signage will show a picture of the house in 1941, and then the other sign talks about the recent porch archeology. The labels will tell visitors about the significant aspects of the building. The Mead’s Tavern group decided that the tour should consist of the main facts. In the article “Interpreting the Historic House Museum,” Jamie Credle talks about how the tour guide needs to keep the four C’s in their minds which are content, communication, customer service, and continuing education.[1] By knowing the content, the tour guide will be able to inform the visitor of the historic house and its history. The first thing is to decide why Mead’s Tavern is unique. The group wants to talk about the tavern and how it transitioned into a girl’s school, which would be the primary focus. By giving information on how New London came about with the help of William Callaway, it helps the visitors link the history connection. William Callaway donated land to Bedford county for the establishment of a county seat, which is known as New London. Then, the group wants to tell the story of how New London was a prominent location when Mead’s Tavern was built in 1763. During this time, it was the end of the French and Indian War. King George III issued a Proclamation Line of 1763, which prohibited settlers from settling West of the Appalachian Mountains. He thought this proclamation would avoid having contact with the Indians again. However, many colonists ignored this proclamation and headed West. Well, New London is right near the Appalachian Mountains. This would be the last stop for supplies that the settlers could purchase. The group figured this would be the information that would help the visitors understand why Mead’s Tavern and specifically New London was essential to the beginning of America.

Another thing to keep in mind when writing a tour script is the audience. Most visitors enjoy hearing stories instead of a school lecture. When the tour guide talks, he or she needs to relate the story to people. In the article, “Telling the Story: Better Interpretation as Small Historical Organizations,” authors Timothy Glines and David Grabitske talk about how interpreting is not a long lecture.[2] They also mention that the tour guides need to keep the story short and brief. By keeping the story on the shorter side, it is not a lot of information that could overwhelm the visitors. The visitors are more likely to think and remember takeaway information. One more thing on giving tours and what the Mead’s Tavern group needs to avoid is talking too fast and also talking in a monotone voice the whole time.[3] If the tour guides at Mead’s Tavern takes their time and sounds excited about this information, then the visitors are more likely to become engaged in the story of the building with multiple stories.

Deciding on our theme, One Building-Multiple Stories, quickly came to mind. There have been multiple uses for that one building. It started as a tavern, then a girl’s school, moved to a doctor’s office, an insurance office, private residence, owned by the Friends of New London, and now used as a historical research project in the hands of Liberty University. This is why the Mead’s Tavern group chose the theme- One Building-Multiple Stories.

The projects and their timeline vary by the amount of information needed. As far as the signage goes, the Mead’s Tavern poster was already made. The group needed a porch excavation sign put together. This took a little time because of finding the information that pertains to the discoveries that were made was scarce. The tour script started as an outline that directed the story of the text. The script has taken the longest to put together because of the length of information. This building holds way more information than what the tour guides will tell on New London Day. The group has tried to narrow the information down to the most important. On New London Day, the goal is to encourage visitors to continue learning History.

[1] Credle, Jamie. “Interpreting the Historic House Museum.” The Docent Educator The Quarterly Journal for Dedicated Educators 9, no. 1 (1999): 14–15. https://www.museum-ed.org/interpreting-the-historic-house-museum/. 

[2] Glines, Timothy, and David Grabitske. “Telling the Story: Better Interpretation at Small Historical Organizations.” History News 58, no. 2 (2003): 1-8. http://www.jstor.org/stable/42655519. 

[3]  “Historic House Call: Creating Engaging and Memorable Tours.” AASLH, August 29, 2018. https://aaslh.org/historic-house-call-creating-engaging-and-memorable-tours/.  

Public History – New London Tour

labontegirl06

Public History, as described by Thomas Cauvin, in the book Public History, is people working on history outside of the academic area.[1] Academic History has long surpassed the idea of public history or any type of history. Cauvin says that the need for historians, especially public historians, is growing.[2] Public historians are now receiving more commendation from their work. In the book, Nearby History Exploring the Past Around You, authors Kyvig and Marty say instead of local or community history, they call it nearby history.[3] Nearby History “includes the entire range of possibilities in a person’s immediate environment.”[4]

Mead’s Tavern

1763

*Picture Taken August 28, 2019

New London, situated in what is now Campbell County, is home to one of the oldest structures in Central Virginia. Mead’s Tavern, built in 1763 is owned, as of 2015, by Liberty University.[5] In the next few years, the History Department of Liberty University along with Mr. Randy Lichtenberger, Chairman of Friends of New London and Director of Cultural Resources at Hurt & Proffitt, hope to finish the preservation of Mead’s Tavern in hopes of it becoming a historical landmark for others to see. A little history on Mead’s Tavern, it used to be a tavern but has since then been used for other purposes. Mead’s Tavern was a school for girls, office for a medical practice, and then for an insurance agent. This tavern has pieces of history in every inch of its building. Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson are two of the well-known historical figures who might have possibly visited Mead’s Tavern. Thomas Jefferson hoped that New London would become a great and prosperous city one day. Other historical New London sites that are still standing, other than Mead’s Tavern, include the Bedford Alum Springs Hotel, Holt-Ashwell house (which was owned by African-American Andrew Holt), Methodist Episcopal Church South (African-American Church), W.W. Driskill Store, the office of Dr. Nicholas Kabler, and the New London Methodist Church.

Bedford Alum Springs Hotel

1878

*Picture taken August 28, 2019

Liberty University’s Public History class took a tour around New London and through some of the historic buildings. The Bedford Alum Springs Hotel in its prime time would have been one of the most beautiful and most significant structures in the town. Back in the day, there were cottages lined down the hotel driveway, which housed the guests visiting New London. Mr. Lichtenberger, along with other archeologists, is looking forward to searching the area of the hotel for any outbuildings previously built on the property. He mentioned how there were impressions in the ground, which are possibly the places the buildings originally sat. Just imagine the excitement that would arise if the archeologists can find the original locations of buildings, that have since disappeared.  Mead’s Tavern has also become an archeology playground giving the archeologists thousands of traces (evidence or artifacts from the past) from over two hundred years.

Methodist Episcopal Church South (current building)

1930

*Picture taken August 28, 2019

Methodist Episcopal Church South (Inside)

*Picture taken August 28, 2019

Overall, being able to go on a tour of the New London area with the remaining historical locations, so rich in history, is a dream for any history lovers. Anyone who enjoys stepping into historic buildings and putting themselves back in time would love these sites. As soon as one visits the Bedford Alum Springs Hotel, the person can only imagine what the hotel looked like with the people coming in and out.  Whether a person likes history, archeology, architecture, stories, or all of the above, visiting New London would be a wise choice.

[1] Thomas Cauvin. Public History a Textbook of Practice. New York: Routledge, 2016. 1.

[2]Ibid., 2.

[3] David E. Kyvig and Myron A. Marty. Nearby History: Exploring the Past around You. Lanham, MD: Alta Mira Press, 2010. 5.

[4]Ibid., 5.

[5] “LU Acquires Colonial-Era Building, Partners with Local Nonprofit: Liberty University.” LU acquires colonial-era building, partners with local nonprofit | Liberty University, July 16, 2015. https://www.liberty.edu/news/index.cfm?PID=18495&MID=161543.

 

Follow My Blog

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.