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Living History Museums: Undoing History Through Performance

Wesley Reed

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Living history museums are a popular way to learn about the past. They offer visitors a chance to experience history firsthand, through interactive exhibits, costumed interpreters, and recreated historical environments. But what happens when living history museums undo history through performance?

Living History Museums: Undoing History through Performance

by Scott Magelssen

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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In recent years, there has been a growing movement among living history museums to challenge traditional narratives of the past. These museums are using performance to tell stories that have been marginalized or ignored, and to offer new perspectives on history. For example, the National Center for Afro-American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., uses performance to explore the complexities of African-American history and culture. The museum's exhibits feature interactive displays, oral histories, and musical performances that bring the past to life for visitors.

Another example is the Plimoth Plantation in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This living history museum recreates the Pilgrim settlement of the 17th century. However, Plimoth Plantation also uses performance to challenge traditional narratives of the Pilgrims. For example, the museum's Wampanoag Homesite offers visitors a chance to learn about the history of the Wampanoag people, who lived in the area before the Pilgrims arrived. The Homesite features recreated Wampanoag dwellings, gardens, and cooking fires, and visitors can interact with costumed interpreters who share their stories of Wampanoag culture.

These are just two examples of the many ways in which living history museums are using performance to undo history. By challenging traditional narratives, these museums are offering visitors new perspectives on the past and helping us to understand the complexities of history.

How Living History Museums Can Undo History

There are a number of ways in which living history museums can undo history through performance.

By telling stories that have been marginalized or ignored. Traditional narratives of history often focus on the stories of the powerful and the privileged. Living history museums can use performance to give voice to the stories of those who have been marginalized or ignored, such as women, minorities, and the poor.
By challenging stereotypes. Living history museums can use performance to challenge stereotypes about different cultures and historical periods. For example, a living history museum that recreates the American Civil War could use performance to challenge stereotypes about the Confederacy. The museum could show that the Confederacy was not a monolithic entity, but rather a complex and diverse society.
By offering new perspectives on history. Living history museums can use performance to offer new perspectives on history by exploring different interpretations of the past. For example, a living history museum that recreates the Salem witch trials could use performance to explore the different ways that the trials have been interpreted over time.

The Benefits of Unng History

There are a number of benefits to unng history through performance.

It can help us to understand the complexities of history. By challenging traditional narratives and offering new perspectives on the past, living history museums can help us to understand the complexities of history. We can learn that there is no one definitive version of the past, and that history is always open to interpretation.
It can help us to empathize with people from different cultures and time periods. By experiencing history firsthand, we can gain a better understanding of the lives of people from different cultures and time periods. This can help us to develop empathy for others and to appreciate the diversity of human experience.
It can help us to learn from the past. By understanding the mistakes of the past, we can avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Living history museums can help us to learn from the past by providing a tangible reminder of the consequences of our actions.

Living history museums are a valuable tool for learning about the past. By using performance to challenge traditional narratives and offer new perspectives on history, living history museums can help us to understand the complexities of history, empathize with people from different cultures and time periods, and learn from the past. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of the present, it is more important than ever to understand the past. Living history museums can help us to do just that.

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* **Living History Museums: Where the Past Comes Alive and History Gets Undone**

Living History Museums: Undoing History through Performance

by Scott Magelssen

5 out of 5