The Tenuous Future of Living History

[Antelope Pete]

It means “This is on the chopping block and no long fits the new regime’s goals.”

Yeah you are probably right. I'm pretty sure that if they had low attendance before it'll only get lower now. Never mind they didn't do much advertising or publicize events much at all in the first place. Add to that Colorado is not much of a history interested state either. It's all about whatever trendy things are going on at the time. At least they won't have living history volunteers keeping people away anymore and they'll have to find another reason.

 

[rchas]

It is, unfortunately, a growing trend. Case in point: for years the Friends of Wilderness Road State Park in Virginia held a period correct, impeccably researched and presented event called "Raid on Martin's Station"--I would be willing to bet not just a few of you know the event or even attended.

Someone apparently took offense at white people doing an impression of native americans, regardless of how respectful and period correct the impression was. Or perhaps it was somehow improper to represent two cultures at war, regardless of the actual history. Now, due to pressure from the state, the event is called "Virginia: America's First Frontier".

I don't have a problem with telling the whole story--Williamsburg, for example is doing a better job of looking at the lives and contributions of enslaved people (although they seem to be forgetting indentured people...). I do have a problem with rewriting the story to fit an agenda.

 

[Sir Boniface Harrison]

'...it doesn't reach as many people as we really have an obligation to' - sort of raises my suspicions. Is this his way of saying that it has no relevance to Black folks or Hispanics? If it doesn't, then hard luck to them. Surely that is their problem in seeing history as only something relevant if it applies directly to their own culture? The Taj Mahal, Egyptian Pyramids and Machu Piccu have no direct link to my culture, but I'd still like to see them.
EDIT: I've just seen some images of the fort, and it looks fascinating to me.

 

[beardedhorse]

Lot of changes there since I first visited in late '80's and not for the better. Have taught and volunteered at Fort William on the Arkansas (Bent's Old Fort) near La Junta. Jake Koch, a current director will give a lecture on The Dissolution of Bent's Old Fort - 175 years later at Fort Restaurant in Morrison, Co. An AMM (American Mountain Man) re enactor who rode the entire Santa Fe Trail during its Bi Centennial in 2021 was not allowed access to the plaza with his horse. Livestock- oxen, horses, peacocks, chickens are rumored to be phased out. Interpreters not allowed to light candles, have lead or powder on their persons. Lighting indoors is with fake electric candle lanterns. Could not find the hidden light switches so had to lick my fingers and unscrew the bulbs to get any sleep in the water well room. The entire second floor is closed due to repairs on a deteriorating stair way. The edge of the second story floor has no fence, railing or guard to stop people from walking or falling off and was supposedly made than way originally. Would fear of accident and impending litigation force the park service to reconstruct the historic site in an unoriginal form? Discharge of muzzle loaders on site has been outlawed many decades. When I first visited we actually shot at Rocky Ford canteloupes with our rifles astride a saddle on a suspended steel drum and had to run down and scalp the top knot off the cantaloupe. Had tent encampments by the river and chili cook off contests, fandangos and guest lecturers, including one who spoke on Purging, Puking and Bleeding on the Santa Fe Trail. Recent talk has been circulating that the Park Service plans to eliminate living history re enactors, presenters altogether. Not sure who to contact to protest the planned changes but it will not go down without opposition. Anyone who has visited and enjoyed the National Historic Site should weigh in on the proposed changes and join in protest.

 

[springfield art]

I found an interesting and troubling article in the Colorado Sun about living history at Fort Bent Colorado near La Junta. The article tells the story for Fort Bent, named for two brothers, and the condition and future of the living history program there. I t seems the Nat Park Service hired a consultant to evaluate the site and its programs. While the conclusions drawn include relevant concerns about the condition of the aging infrastructure, the whole idea of the value of living history came under scrutiny. I have not been to Ft Bent, but have been to many similar sites. I have not participated in living history events nor am I a reenactor. But I very much appreciate the programs and hard work that it takes to keep these programs going, even when much of the work is done by free, volunteer labor.

I will let those more savvy on the topic read the article and opine, but this, to me smells of "wokeness" as the consultants review hinted at diversity etc, without quite going there. I would hate to think that what some value as tremendous learning opportunities for both the youth and adult "city dwellers", might be erased due to a stroke of the Nat Park Service pen held by a consultant from "who knows where".

Please take a look and read the article. It is not long and I am very interested to hear what the experienced folks here think.

Rick


new link attempt:

https://coloradosun.com/2024/03/11/bents-old-fort-living-history-conflict/

If true, I can see where the "woke" crowd would de-emphasize military activities for civilian, Native, women, etc. Actually, the "city dwellers" might prefer the civvie side, but it can be boring to watch someone baking or sewing. The military fluff-n-drums and guns a-firing are more visually interesting! These consultants come out of today's colleges, so you know where they're coming from.

 

[No Answers]

I've set up my primitive camp at various music camps. None of these events were reenactments nor at historic locations, but always attracted visitors and questions, especially from home schooled children.

 

[Snooterpup]

It might smell of "wokeness" to you, but I read the article and I was frustrated by the fact that they did not specifically describe what changes were being suggested, or were in the works, at Bents Fort. It is my opinion that the winds of change are blowing over the world of living history and reenacting. What we are encountering at our French Great Lakes history group are a couple of big problems: Our members are elderly, and no one is joining our club to back-fill, and...I believe people aren't as interested in history as they once were, and it was even limited 20-30 years ago. All this is going on as we are encountering a wave of younger administrators of parks, historical sites, etc. who have different interests and ideas. "The times, they are a-changin'"

Yup, absolutely right.
The Credo of progressivism…
Your old road is rapidly changing,
Get out of the new road if you can’t lend a hand,
For he who gets hurt will be he that has stalled. The times they are a-changin’- Bob Dylan

 

[beardedhorse]

I teach fourth graders and adults Colorado and Bent's Fort history. It was an economic, cultural and geographic cross roads on the Santa Fe Trail. Many cultures were represented and discussed and portrayed at the historic park site. Mulatto James Beckwourth (Beckwith), Charlotte Green the cook and her husband and brother-in-law, Dick and Tom, William Bent's Cheyenne wives and their children, Charles Bent and Kit Carson and their Mexican wives, trade with Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Comanche, Jicarilla Apaches, countless Hispanic wranglers, cooks, domestics, laborers, even one out of work Hawaiian mountain man that infamous scalp hunter James Kirker tried to recruit for his gang to collect bounties in Mexico. And of course the many American, European trappers, traders, adventurers, news paper journalists, fort staff. Many active, accurate and period correct re enactors and volunteers there to represent many cultures. Whose great idea is it to eliminate this life blood of teaching living history?

 

[Antelope Pete]

'...it doesn't reach as many people as we really have an obligation to' - sort of raises my suspicions. Is this his way of saying that it has no relevance to Black folks or Hispanics? If it doesn't, then hard luck to them. Surely that is their problem in seeing history as only something relevant if it applies directly to their own culture? The Taj Mahal, Egyptian Pyramids and Machu Piccu have no direct link to my culture, but I'd still like to see them.
EDIT: I've just seen some images of the fort, and it looks fascinating to me.

I agree if blacks and Hispanics don't want to get involved then that's their problem.

beardedhorse.
That's great. In addition to all the ones you mentioned Jean Baptiste Charbeneau the son of Sacajawea was a hunter for the fort.

I've been a bit conflicted about talking on the Indian issue with visitors but I asked the fort if I could be honest and tell visitors that the Indians weren't innocent in the destruction of the buffalo for economic gain and was told to tell them the truth that they did in fact kill way more than they needed for their subsistence. Some were glad that it was brought up but most didn't know that. Probably can't do that now.

 

[pacherokee54]

The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history.” 1984

 

[Sam squanch]

Let’s see….1- white man bad. 2- as was discussed elsewhere, the park service would rather NOT have crowds of people to deal with, tearing things up, ect. 3- today’s kids are taught white man bad, guns bad, and they and their parents should have stayed in Europe. 4- white man bad, oh I covered that! . Creeping Marxist teachings at work. I fear for this country…..

 

[Sam squanch]

Oh forgot! White man bad to animals!

 

[Sam squanch]

Forgot again! Gun bad, white man use gun kill Indian and animal, so no exposure to gun, gun make young people cry….

 

[sturmkatze]

Lot of changes there since I first visited in late '80's and not for the better. Have taught and volunteered at Fort William on the Arkansas (Bent's Old Fort) near La Junta. Jake Koch, a current director will give a lecture on The Dissolution of Bent's Old Fort - 175 years later at Fort Restaurant in Morrison, Co. An AMM (American Mountain Man) re enactor who rode the entire Santa Fe Trail during its Bi Centennial in 2021 was not allowed access to the plaza with his horse. Livestock- oxen, horses, peacocks, chickens are rumored to be phased out. Interpreters not allowed to light candles, have lead or powder on their persons. Lighting indoors is with fake electric candle lanterns. Could not find the hidden light switches so had to lick my fingers and unscrew the bulbs to get any sleep in the water well room. The entire second floor is closed due to repairs on a deteriorating stair way. The edge of the second story floor has no fence, railing or guard to stop people from walking or falling off and was supposedly made than way originally. Would fear of accident and impending litigation force the park service to reconstruct the historic site in an unoriginal form? Discharge of muzzle loaders on site has been outlawed many decades. When I first visited we actually shot at Rocky Ford canteloupes with our rifles astride a saddle on a suspended steel drum and had to run down and scalp the top knot off the cantaloupe. Had tent encampments by the river and chili cook off contests, fandangos and guest lecturers, including one who spoke on Purging, Puking and Bleeding on the Santa Fe Trail. Recent talk has been circulating that the Park Service plans to eliminate living history re enactors, presenters altogether. Not sure who to contact to protest the planned changes but it will not go down without opposition. Anyone who has visited and enjoyed the National Historic Site should weigh in on the proposed changes and join in protest.

I don’t do anything for the nps. They suck. Let them try and get visitors to look at their textiles and politically correct exhibits.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

I was at the Museum in Richmond. Carved in the wall was a statement to the affect that Our history is here for all to enjoy. I went to the Guy at the Desk and asked him if this is the Mission and purpose of this facility then why did the Politicians see it fit to remove Statues from the Blvd,s ? His reply was "I cannot answer that question Sir..."

Needless to say the The Confederate Diorama,s were at minimum in the Display area.
They however had adequate displays of weapon,s and accoutrements,s.

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Post # 35b addendum. It was the same at the Seminary Hospital in Gettysburg. Great displays of various aspect,s of the War. At the end a Huge Diorama of Obama being sworn in as President.. I have nothing against Obama being elected as President. It,s History. The focal point should have been at the end on Black American.s. Scientist,s Scholar,s Doctor,s Lawyer,s ect. Folks that made breakthrough accomplishments.

"Because we did that they were able to do these things" lesson at the End. But Alas it is more likely the Work of a Liberal Director that runs the Show.

 

[Sam squanch]

Look up “ the great cultural revolution “ in China, 1960’s-1970’s.

 

[Boatncamp]

History is written by the winners and, sorry to say, that's not us. It's a depressing thought but that's the way I see it.

I think today, history is written by the whiners not the winners.

 

[Carteret Kid]

That cast of documented people at that site could make a TV series.

I teach fourth graders and adults Colorado and Bent's Fort history. It was an economic, cultural and geographic cross roads on the Santa Fe Trail. Many cultures were represented and discussed and portrayed at the historic park site. Mulatto James Beckwourth (Beckwith), Charlotte Green the cook and her husband and brother-in-law, Dick and Tom, William Bent's Cheyenne wives and their children, Charles Bent and Kit Carson and their Mexican wives, trade with Cheyenne, Arapaho, Kiowa, Comanche, Jicarilla Apaches, countless Hispanic wranglers, cooks, domestics, laborers, even one out of work Hawaiian mountain man that infamous scalp hunter James Kirker tried to recruit for his gang to collect bounties in Mexico. And of course the many American, European trappers, traders, adventurers, news paper journalists, fort staff. Many active, accurate and period correct re enactors and volunteers there to represent many cultures. Whose great idea is it to eliminate this life blood of teaching living history?

 

[Sam squanch]

“ they “ can’t get political power unless people are divided and hate each other over something. That something is race.