(don't) Steal This Artifact
I am trying to put together a ‘please touch’ table of artifacts for a program on writing historicals.
The time period I work within is American Colonial through 1900.
What do I own that would be interesting, authentic, and replaceable? Yes, I fear someone will walk off with my Spanish Milled dollar, my 1870’s eyeglasses, my flint and steel. Do I want to add my daughter’s tomahawk? I don’t particularly want to walk around a hotel with a bladed weapon.
I do have a piece of clothing that I have done a lot of research on only to find out that I am wearing it in the wrong time period.
There is a lot of history that falls outside this range.
What can I pull in from other people’s collections from different time periods? I have a friend who might have some earlier stuff, but would he lend it to me? I am not afraid of having it stolen.
A friend has offered me a reproduction of a cuneiform wax tablet with bronze stylus.
Oh, yes and a bag of cornmeal ground in an early colonial water powered mill.
Suggestions anybody?
The time period I work within is American Colonial through 1900.
What do I own that would be interesting, authentic, and replaceable? Yes, I fear someone will walk off with my Spanish Milled dollar, my 1870’s eyeglasses, my flint and steel. Do I want to add my daughter’s tomahawk? I don’t particularly want to walk around a hotel with a bladed weapon.
I do have a piece of clothing that I have done a lot of research on only to find out that I am wearing it in the wrong time period.
There is a lot of history that falls outside this range.
What can I pull in from other people’s collections from different time periods? I have a friend who might have some earlier stuff, but would he lend it to me? I am not afraid of having it stolen.
A friend has offered me a reproduction of a cuneiform wax tablet with bronze stylus.
Oh, yes and a bag of cornmeal ground in an early colonial water powered mill.
Suggestions anybody?
date
newest »
newest »
I had never thought of stationing a monitor next to the display. I had decided not to do a power point photo display, but the idea of having some pictures mounted and on display is great, thanks.
Smaller items could be displayed in a case you can purchase for not too much money at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, etc. Then as bookseedstudio said, have a volunteer by the case, allowing one item at a time to be taken out and touched. This is good for smaller items like skeleton keys, buttons, etcLarger items that are not easily pocketed would be good. Fire bellows and or other types of items used during cooking.
Lanterns are large and could also double as a demonstration by lighting them and having people sit in the room illuminated only by the lanterns. A great exercise for writers planning a setting in the time period. And, if you have the time during your program, participants could write a few sentences describing what it was like.
Mounted maps would be good too or a flag from that period.
Sounds like a fun program. Good luck.
Thanks, I hadn't thought about glass cases. I actually have three that would work nicely.
Kelly wrote: "Smaller items could be displayed in a case you can purchase for not too much money at Walmart, Hobby Lobby, etc. Then as bookseedstudio said, have a volunteer by the case, allowing one item at a t..."K.B. I like Kelly's idea quite a bit. And on the volunteer, I usually offer a free book for their help, because it can be tedious to watch folks...
Hope I can see this program some day.
Looks like my daughter will be my table volunteer because she knows what all the stuff is and can demonstrate it or help others use it. We already own each other's books. Maybe a nice ice cream sundae would do.
K.B. wrote: "Looks like my daughter will be my table volunteer because she knows what all the stuff is and can demonstrate it or help others use it. We already own each other's books. Maybe a nice ice cream sun..."Brava! for familymembers who are table volunteers. I "employ" them from cousin to daughter to hubby to extended fam. Maybe you'll post an image of the photo, after?
Were she me (were me she?) lately, I'd have to pick salted caramel.
The Shepherd's Notes
Combining Living History and writing historical mysteries.
- K.B. Inglee's profile
- 22 followers
So what I did was find online for educational purposes black & white images & photographs of aspects of that culture. And I printed them out & blew them up or blew them up before printing them out. then I attached them at a bit of expense to foam backed board at a FedEX Kinko's. I also had some ultra thick cardboard from the back of a drawing pad & used that for some. But mine didn't have the nice finish that the images did. It's a genuine concern if you don't have a helper to monitor . That is the other thing I have done when I have brought irreplaceable Seminole patchwork clothing. I ask for a volunteer to watch that the items don't wander. The book period sounds intriguing.