Misplaced Pages

#515484

31-727: Jerusalem Mill Village is a living history museum that spans the 18th through early 20th centuries. One of the oldest and most intact mill villages in the U.S. state of Maryland , Jerusalem is located in Harford County , along the Little Gunpowder Falls River . It also serves as the headquarters of the Gunpowder Falls State Park . The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 20, 1987. Also on

62-532: A master's degree is not usually required, a background or degree in history, public history , museum studies , or education is beneficial. The average salary for full-time museum workers in the United States was $ 44,430 in 2019. A large part of the competencies acquired by the interpreter are gained through experience and on-the-job-training at each individual site. The main interpretative technique of living history museums, aside from exhibitions, are

93-628: A Colonial Education site for youth and adult groups, and a visitors' center with indoor exhibits and educational programs. The two houses on the Colonial Education site were built for the PBS show Colonial House , which was filmed in Maine . Following the filming, the museum disassembled the houses and reconstructed them at on their current site. The roof of the Cooke House was destroyed by

124-659: A background in history, public history, museum studies, or education, and conduct significant historical research in order to effectively and accurately provide interpretation to the public. Freeman Tilden, a National Park Service Interpreter known as the father of interpretation, wrote Interpreting Our Heritage in 1957. His book is one of the first comprehensive instructional texts on the subject of interpretation and outlines six basic interpretative principles that are still taught today in interpretive training sessions nationwide. The six principles of interpretation are: Scholars and museum professionals have done significant work exploring

155-528: A certain idealized image. One such example is Wichita's Old Cowtown Museum, which in its small, rural representation of Wichita resembles Western movies and Wild West myths more than the bustling urban city that Wichita quickly became. This living history narrative developed because of the availability of small historical buildings and inaccurate replicas, prodding from the city, and the influence of Hollywood. Museum professionals must grapple with these issues of conflicting audience and institutional needs which impact

186-553: A constantly changing past. It additionally was affirmed by the ALHFAM that they also support Dr. Scott Magelssen's idea that living history museums produce history as others do, such as teachers in classrooms, authors in monographs, and even directors in film. Plimoth Plantation Plimoth Patuxet is a complex of living history museums in Plymouth, Massachusetts founded in 1947, formerly Plimoth Plantation . It replicates

217-509: A costumed historian will say that "I am making cornbread". Third-person interpretation does not limit the costumed historian to a particular historical character or time period and maintain a working knowledge of both the past and present. Instead, they represent a gender, status, and occupation. Plimoth Plantation employs third-person interpretation at the Wampanoag Homesite where, although dressed in historically accurate clothing,

248-401: A fire from a fireplace on November 19, 2011, and the building had to be demolished. Mayflower II is docked near Plymouth Rock and is also under the care of the museum. Museum employees in modern dress interpret history to guests from a third-person perspective. In July 2020, officials announced that the museum would be renamed, noting that their plan, "for some time, has been to announce

279-451: A historical character, they are also involved in the research process that aides the site interpretation. Full-time staff interpreters develop public programs, tours, and write scripts for interpretative panels, pamphlets, and videos. They often work closely with the curatorial and educational staff to collaborate on ideas about collection tours, school tours , educational programs, and site interpretation. Supervisors are also responsible for

310-421: A living history activity and the piece of the past it is meant to re-create. A major difference between living history museums and other historical interpretation is that at living history sites, the interpretation is usually given in the first-person present, versus the third-person past narratives given at other sites. Living history museums seek to convey to visitors the experience of what it felt like to live in

341-599: A new name for the Museum later this year as we commemorate the 400th anniversary (1620–2020) of the Pilgrims' arrival on the shores of historic Patuxet ." It coincided with a wave of name changes caused by the George Floyd protests that year meant to be more inclusive. While the word "plantation" historically referred to a type of colony , and this was the sense intended for Plimoth Plantation, it soon came to refer to

SECTION 10

#1732798388516

372-457: A type of farming estate established to grow cash crops, and in the modern era has become popularly associated with those plantations that employed slave labor , especially in the South . Officials stated that discussions had been ongoing for more than a year to assess whether the existing name reflected "the full, multivalent history that is at the core of the museum's mission." While a new name

403-592: The Civil War, the buildings in the village were gradually leased out and sold. A succession of owners operated the gristmill until 1961, when it was then purchased by the State of Maryland to be part of the Gunpowder Falls State Park. The historic buildings are being restored and preserved by Friends of Jerusalem Mill, an all-volunteer, non-profit, public charity, which has leased the village from

434-468: The Lee Family's historic Bank Barn, mansion and two-story springhouse-smokehouse. On April 10, 2016, a Blue Star Memorial Highway marker was dedicated at Jerusalem Mill, honoring those who served in the U.S. armed forces. Living history museum A costumed historian has many roles and responsibilities at historical sites. In addition to conducting tours, interpreting a space, or portraying

465-586: The National Register of Historic Places and located nearby are Jericho Farm and the Jericho Covered Bridge . The 318-acre (129 ha) tract of land called Jerusalem was patented to Nicholas Hampstead and John Walley in 1687. By 1743, the tract had been acquired by an ironmaster, Stephen Onion, and had been enlarged to 368 acres (149 ha) with several buildings. When Onion died in 1750, his nephew, Zacheas Barrett Onion, acquired

496-563: The Plimoth Grist Mill (2013). Alongside the settlement is a recreation of a Wampanoag home site, where Indians from a variety of tribes explain and demonstrate how the Wampanoags' ancestors lived. The museum grounds at Plimoth Patuxet also include Nye Barn where historical breeds of livestock are kept, a crafts center where many objects are created for use in the village exhibits, a cinema where educational videos are shown,

527-503: The character being portrayed. Since the interpreters are representing a historical character during a particular time period, their knowledge and therefore how they interact with the public, is limited to their designated character and historic time period. For example, interpreters at the English Village at Plimoth Plantation are first-person interpreters who portray some of the original residents of Plymouth Colony. For example,

558-444: The costumed historians speak from a modern perspective about Wampanoag history and culture. For example, a costumed historian will say that "They ate a healthy, seasonally varied diet that included corn, beans, squash, fish, venison, fruit, and vegetables". Both first- and third-person costumed historians participate in demonstrating and performing daily tasks and crafts of the time period. Most interpreters at living history sites have

589-625: The different interpretation styles, how the museum presents and explains the role of the costumed historian, and how the interaction between visitor and costumed interpreter impacts the visitor's overall museum experience. Jay Anderson, in his 1984 book, Time Machines: The World of Living History, defines living history as an “attempt by people to simulate life in another time” and stresses its importance within American culture. He argues that living history museums function as powerful “time machines” that transport visitors both mentally and emotionally into

620-410: The extensive training of new staff members, volunteers, and interns. As a career, historical interpretation positions do not usually require the applicant to have a specific degree or background. Prospective employers are looking for interpreters who have good communication skills and are comfortable speaking in front of large audiences. They should also possess strong research and writing skills. While

651-489: The first-person interpreters cannot. The English Village represents the year 1627 through most of the museum season (which lasts from early April to late November), depicting day-to-day life and seasonal activities. In November, the English Village typically represents the year 1621, which is the year of the first Thanksgiving to take place in Plymouth Colony. Henry Hornblower II, son of Ralph Hornblower , started

SECTION 20

#1732798388516

682-668: The living history village. The village functioned as a Quaker village into the early 20th century. Evidence suggests that David Lee and several of his Quaker neighbors carved black walnut stocks and assembled rifles for the Continental army in the gunshop that stands behind the gristmill. During the Civil War, on July 11, 1864, Confederate Army Major Harry Gilmor sent a cavalry unit to the general store in Jerusalem Mills, now popularly known as McCourtney's Store, capturing supplies and horses, as part of Gilmor's Raid . After

713-517: The museum conducts ongoing research and scholarship, including historical archaeological excavation and curation locally and abroad. In the English Village section of the museum, trained first-person ("historical") interpreters speak, act, and dress appropriately for the period, interacting with visitors by answering questions, discussing their lives and viewpoints, and participating in tasks such as cooking, planting, and animal husbandry. Third-person ("modern") interpreters answer guests' questions that

744-718: The museum in 1947 with help and support from friends, family, and business associates as two English cottages and a fort on Plymouth's waterfront. Since then, the museum has grown to include the Mayflower II , a 1957 replica of the Mayflower , the English Village (1959), the Wampanoag Homesite (1973), the Hornblower Visitor Center (1987), the Craft Center (1992), the Maxwell and Nye Barns (1994), and

775-676: The original settlement of the Plymouth Colony established in the 17th century by the English colonists who became known as the Pilgrims . They were among the first people who emigrated to America to seek religious separation from the Church of England . It is a not-for-profit museum supported by administrations, contributions, grants, and volunteers. The recreations are based upon a wide variety of first-hand and second-hand records, accounts, articles, and period paintings and artifacts, and

806-473: The overall structure of living history. Living history museums have also been criticized for their ability to teach, particularly from those that believe "living history is antiquarian, idyllic, or downright misleading." In response to this question, the Association for Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums (ALHFAM) has stated that they distinguish between an unchanging past and an interpretation of

837-436: The past for a unique learning experience. Anderson divides the recreated historical experience enacted at living history museums into three categories based on their purpose and outcome: educational for museum purposes, research for archaeological inquiries, and recreation for entertainment. A major concern at living history museums is the idea of authenticity. Living historians define authenticity as perfect simulation between

868-399: The past. Critics of living history museums argue that replication of past states of mind is impossible, and therefore living history is inherently inaccurate. The relative authenticity of living history farms varies significantly. At its best, they most accurately reflect the past appropriate to the time period while at their worst they may portray gross inaccuracies in an attempt to portray

899-467: The property. Onion engaged Isaiah Linton of Bucks County, Pennsylvania to come to Jerusalem to construct a merchant grist mill and to improve a nearby ironworks and several other mills. Linton was joined by his family and partner David Lee. He eventually built eight water-powered mills along the Little Gunpowder. The fourth mill, Jerusalem Mill, was completed in 1772 and is now the centerpiece of

930-432: The state of Maryland since 1986. Its current lease is valid through 2039. Restoration, preservation and maintenance efforts are funded almost entirely by donations, sponsorships, memberships, events and countless volunteer hours. Events include a living history program, concerts by the falls, jousting tournaments, vintage baseball, First Responders' Day, and a lot more. Efforts are currently underway to stabilize and preserve

961-514: The use of costumed interpreters or historians. Costumed historians make history come alive through interactions that formulate social, cultural, and political connections with the past. There are two different types of costumed interpretation utilized at living history sites: first-person and third-person interpretation. In first-person interpretation, the costumed historian portrays a specific historical character. The historian adopts speech patterns, mannerisms, worldviews, and attitudes appropriate to

Jerusalem Mill Village - Misplaced Pages Continue

#515484