The season of group tours is now upon us - school tours and scout tours specifically. Five have been scheduled so far this year. Usually, if the group is small, I will conduct the tour myself.
This week, we had an evening tour for a Cub Scout group and their parents. I often try to highlight specific topics throughout the tour that I think will capture the interest of the age group I'm talking to. They are only going to remember specific items anyway, so it's important to focus on making those specific items memorable. Once kids are interested in local history, they will learn the deeper facts in time. There is no need to throw an entire Craft's history at a ten year old and expect them to be interested.
I speak from experience because it was at age 10 that I became interested in local history. The "moment" in which it happened though was not sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture. Certainly there is a time for that style of teaching, but with local history, a different method is required. At age 10, I saw the "ruins" of Laquin for the first time and it was the visual aspect of the moment that created the interest. Immediately following that was the chance to touch something that someone had created so many years ago.
A hands-on approach is always good and I have been working more of this in at different points thoughout the museum tour. Just any old item won't do the job though. It has to be something memorable. One of these hands-on objects is used in the Military History exhibit room. After announcing that, if everyone listens closely, they will have the chance to hold the item I am showing them, an immediate silence falls over the room. We then talk about some of the important items on display and some Bradford County soldiers. Then I pull a Civil War era sword out of its scabbard and announce that this sword was actually used by a Bradford County soldier.
As eyes begin to widen, the rules for handling the object are reviewed, and with the assistance of myself and their chaparones, each child has the opportunity to hold the sword. One young child in this weeks tour was in fact shorter than the sword was long. The parents on the tour reminded them that not everyone has the opportunity to hold a Civil War sword. No doubt, they will remember this for some time.
When you are a member of the Bradford County Historical Society, you are directly supporting these opportunities for children all across the county. Even if you don't live in Bradford County, you are making it possible for these children to learn about the history of your ancestors. A hands-on approach to local history cannot be gained online. If you are not a member of BCHS, visit http://www.bradfordhistory.com/Membership/ and find out how to become one today. You will not only receive benefits for yourself, but you will benefit Bradford County children for years to come.
