For a historical writer, first-hand accounts of the time
period and well-researched history books are wonderful resources, but sometimes
the answer to a pesky question can only be found by going back in time. I would have loved to hitch a ride with the
Doctor or hop into Mr. Verne's time machine, but for my current work in
progress, set in Washington Territory in 1866, I opted for something a little
more easily obtained: a trip to Pioneer
Farm Museum near Eatonville, Washington.
Pioneer Farm is one of those wonderful museums geared toward
children, so everything is very hands on.
That’s an incredible bonus to a writer.
In a more traditional museum, many things are behind glass, so you can
describe what your eyes see but only guess at the other senses. At a museum like Pioneer Farm, you get to
touch and smell and taste and hear what life was like in the late nineteenth
century on the frontier. I gleefully
followed our tour guides around from the general store to the school house to
the three cabins, barn, and blacksmith’s shop, peppering them with questions
and poking my nose into everything.
So, what did I learn on my visit?
Planked wooden floors creak.
With every step.
Oil lamps aren't really bright enough to read by, but they
do warm up a curling iron nicely.
It takes a lot of time and work to grate enough cinnamon for
one pie.
A lady could lay in the bottom of a wagon bed and not be
noticeable from the street (key plot point, there!).
Pioneer Farm Museum is a non-profit organization dedicated
to providing living history, environmental, and cultural education through
hands-on activities. If you happen to be
in the area, I highly recommend a visit.
I know some of you have been to great museums in your
area. Any recommendations to share?
4 comments:
If you're ever in N. Florida, I recommend Dudley Farm near Newberry, FL, an authentic working farm, not a recreation. I've been there for cane grinding and other events: http://friendsofdudleyfarm.org/learn/aboutFarm.html
Neat, Darlene! Thanks!
I love love love living histoy museums. There are a bunch in this area, as I'm sure you discovered while visiting Marissa. Plimoth Plantation is the gold standard of living history museums! The interpreters are in first person and can't answer questions about anything past 1624 or whatever year it is. It's amazing! Sturbridge Village is also really nice but I haven't been there in many many years. Colonial Williamsburg is another gold star location. They have living history in first person, living history tour guides in period dress but modern personas, decorative arts history, gardening and much more. Jamestown was disappointing when we went as a family. My all time favorite, Astors' Beechwood Mansion, closed recently. You got a tour of a Newport mansion from a friend, family member or servant of the Astor family. Once I even met Jack ASStor (how he introduced himself), before he died on Titanic, of course.
Yes, you are very blessed, QNPoohBear to have so many wonderful places in your area! Colonial Williamsburg is definitely on my bucket list to visit, as is the Mystic Seaport.
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