HISTORY OF HISTORY HATERS
Anytime the history of anything is announced, we practically cringe in fear for how the interpretation will be skewed. And, we too have our own way of looking at things. Good histories also exhibit good historical practice right down to the last citation. What you are about to read is not necessarily good history, but rather memoir.
The authors of History Haters all met in college in the early 1990s. We all belonged to the history club, meeting regularly and attending and giving programs. After college we continued to remain in contact, despite some of us moving all over the United States. As it happened, David visited Jeff in Virginia one year. Jeff was very kind in showing David the entire 1864-1865 campaign, which included a stop at Richmond National Battlefield. The ranger at the Cold Harbor unit had the surname of Gorman, which prompted Jeff to ask if Ranger Gorman was any relation to Willis A. Gorman, former territorial governor of Minnesota and the first colonel of the First Regiment of Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was. The glory of history is in making very real connections like this.
Ranger Gorman spotted David's "History Matters" button. History Matters is the marketing campaign of the Minnesota Historical Society. Gorman asked, "What does your pin say? History Haters? If it does, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Instead David gave the ranger the pin. Hopefully he is still wearing it.
For the remainder of Jeff's tour, the two created a fictional TV program called "History Haters." The promotional clips announced, for example: Next week on History Haters, watch as David and Jeff show how different papers shred. "Notice how modern copier paper goes through a cross-shredding machine," Jeff would say. "Now see how this original copy of the Declaration of Independence shreds - not much difference!" Great fun was had with this concept. Jeff and David concluded that what history needs is someone like Bill Nye the Science Guy or Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter to show how fascinating history truly is. On the day of Steve's death, the former history club members, who had gathered for a reunion lunch in Mankato, decided to launch this blog.
So, who are the History Haters?
Bryce is a history teacher, certified for middle and high schools in Minnesota. He also coordinates community efforts to mark and commemorate history.
David works in public history across Minnesota. He particularly enjoys baseball history.
Jeff manages a historic site in Minnesota. A veteran himself, he studies military history.
Mike operates a business in antique history books on the Internet. He travels extensively to historic sites.
Hopefully you will hear from all of us as the blog continues.
Anytime the history of anything is announced, we practically cringe in fear for how the interpretation will be skewed. And, we too have our own way of looking at things. Good histories also exhibit good historical practice right down to the last citation. What you are about to read is not necessarily good history, but rather memoir.
The authors of History Haters all met in college in the early 1990s. We all belonged to the history club, meeting regularly and attending and giving programs. After college we continued to remain in contact, despite some of us moving all over the United States. As it happened, David visited Jeff in Virginia one year. Jeff was very kind in showing David the entire 1864-1865 campaign, which included a stop at Richmond National Battlefield. The ranger at the Cold Harbor unit had the surname of Gorman, which prompted Jeff to ask if Ranger Gorman was any relation to Willis A. Gorman, former territorial governor of Minnesota and the first colonel of the First Regiment of Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. He was. The glory of history is in making very real connections like this.
Ranger Gorman spotted David's "History Matters" button. History Matters is the marketing campaign of the Minnesota Historical Society. Gorman asked, "What does your pin say? History Haters? If it does, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Instead David gave the ranger the pin. Hopefully he is still wearing it.
For the remainder of Jeff's tour, the two created a fictional TV program called "History Haters." The promotional clips announced, for example: Next week on History Haters, watch as David and Jeff show how different papers shred. "Notice how modern copier paper goes through a cross-shredding machine," Jeff would say. "Now see how this original copy of the Declaration of Independence shreds - not much difference!" Great fun was had with this concept. Jeff and David concluded that what history needs is someone like Bill Nye the Science Guy or Steve Irwin the Crocodile Hunter to show how fascinating history truly is. On the day of Steve's death, the former history club members, who had gathered for a reunion lunch in Mankato, decided to launch this blog.
So, who are the History Haters?
Bryce is a history teacher, certified for middle and high schools in Minnesota. He also coordinates community efforts to mark and commemorate history.
David works in public history across Minnesota. He particularly enjoys baseball history.
Jeff manages a historic site in Minnesota. A veteran himself, he studies military history.
Mike operates a business in antique history books on the Internet. He travels extensively to historic sites.
Hopefully you will hear from all of us as the blog continues.
posted by History Haters | 3:05 PM
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