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Costumed Interpretation Archive
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Living History as Practiced at Minute Man National Historical Park
Posted on December 21, 2009 | No Commentsby Roger Fuller, Jim Hollister, and Mike Ryan Living history is an important part of the mission of Minute Man National Historical Park (NHP) in Concord, Massachusetts, to bring to life the story of April 19, 1775. Understanding of history comes through many senses, not... -
Serenity, Acceptance, Courage, and Wisdom
Posted on December 11, 2009 | No CommentsAbout five years ago, our facility was in turmoil: staffing issues, a renovation looming, a little bit of flooding, you name it. My own solution to weathering the storm was employing “offstage” what I’d been unconsciously using during costumed interpretation the previous five years: The Serenity Prayer. -
Real Value in Costumed Interpretation
Posted on December 1, 2009 | No CommentsMy first encounter with costumed interpretation occurred at Disneyland in southern California. No, it was not Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, or Donald Duck, though my sons did enjoy meeting them. For me, the inspirational moment came from hearing President Abraham Lincoln speak. “Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln” is an oratory given by a mechanical Lincoln. -
A Fork in the River: Experiencing the Change from First- to Third-Person Interpretation at Historic Fort Snelling
Posted on November 19, 2009 | No CommentsFort Snelling was established at the fork of the Mississippi and St. Peter’s (now Minnesota) Rivers in 1819 on land acquired by treaty in 1805 by Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike. Its limestone walls and batteries commanded the rivers below and it was a symbol of the United States’ sovereignty and power in the Old Northwest, an “American Gibraltar.” -
Costumed Interpretation: What We Are Is Because of What We Were
Posted on November 7, 2009 | No CommentsAmerican costumed historic interpretation is far from being a new field. Since immediately after the American Revolution, living history events have been a regular aspect of special anniversaries and commemorations, entertaining millions with their presentations.