Taking a walk back in time is always a pleaser, whether self-guided by or others. Although imposed on by the current century, the way of life in each time period is unique and beautiful in its own way.
Both programmed and self-guided tours have their pros and cons. While taking a programmed tour, you are usually only shown a certain part of the history. Also, while much information is being thrown at you it is imperative to follow the group instead of taking the desired time to observe and fascinate on the past. However, the detailed information that is given to you by the tour guide is shared in an organized manner and will provide you with more facts about the things around you. Independence is one of the key factors when it comes to a self-guided tour. Although you are getting much less information, you will get the needed answers for the questions you have. In addition, you may go on your tour in a style that is easy to understand and organized to yourself and may stray and observe for any length of time. Where you go to get your fill of history may decide which option is the better.
Whichever historical place you go to there will always be some form of invasion from the current century. An example might be Stan Hywet. Some of the landscape had been changed and other things added onto the property, dimming the brightness of its authenticity. Also, other than the fact that the building style was that of an Old English manor, it seemed to be too restored and new looking. Everything was in pristine condition, the walls and paneling all darkened and the floor’s shiny and polished. The extensive restoration took away from the building’s historic charm.
There is quite a difference in the standard of living enjoyed by the residents of Stan Hywet as opposed to Hale Farm and village. Hale Farm was a small, spread out town with a tight nit community. They lived in hard times where they depended on their crops, livestock and small jobs to eat and keep a roof over their heads. Unlike the people at Stan Hywet, the town’s folk in Hale Farm had no running water, no electricity and no servants. They had little time to work out, go bowling, or play a game of basketball, even if that did exists back in their time. The Seiberling family had a more lavished life compared to the town’s people of Hale Farm.
7 comments:
Excellent word choice and fluidity. Good Job Ashlet.
Basketball was invented between the eras of the two places, therefore the Hales would not have known the game but the Seiberlings would have. Although I doubt they would have played because it was a lower class game and had not reached popularity yet. I thought many of you would like the independence of Hale Farm. I am glad you see both sides to both methods of historic interpretation. No museum can be all things to all people.
I really have to say, I dig the title.
xD
Yep, it's interesting to distinguish between various forms of history, and how they are presented. It's always hard to display a piece of history so that it pleases everybody, while still keeping the original meaning intact. Museum, outdoors, open manor, whatever - you always run the risk of either offending someone, or making it too simian.
Think about this - would you rather, as a historian, show the exact details of an event or era to the public, no matter how complex, or make a display that drew crowds, and possibly revenue? The solution is very difficult, and intricate indeed, and will require some thought before suggested...
After having gone on several historic tours with Mr. Johansson, and spending time discussing these type of decisions with professional historians, I have to say that I go into every museum now with a different focus. I always find myself critical of the displays and methods used.
I agree that there are pros and cons in programmed and self-guided tours but I think it depends on what kind of information you are looking for. If you want to know stories and information of what you are looking at, a programmed tour would be the one to choose. However, if you wanted to look at the lifestyles and details of artifacts, then you might like a self-guided tour.
I think you pick up more information with a tour guide who knows what he is talking about, rather than a self guided tour where you are left to your own devices. You might get a better look at some of the stuff when you are on a self guided tour, but you might not know all you would want to know about it.
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