Trapped in History or Freed for Discovery?

Why do we study history? Perhaps because we do not want to repeat the horrid events. Or maybe we long to hold onto and honor the beneficial.

I read recently how new records of history will forever be different than those of the past. Gone are the days when the victors declared what occurred, controlling the narrative. Now, most individuals possess a handheld device to record and share events in real time. Can people twist the information for agenda. Absolutely. Could these same individuals display one side without showing all facets? Yep. Is there a likelihood the truth will prevail due to the sheer volume of accounts? We can hope so.

Having said all of that, how do we preserve what happened before these social times? What can we do to impart wisdom and spark curiosity in future generations? These are a few random thoughts on how different occupations and generations share.

• Show don’t tell - A concept fiction writers learn and put into practice. When an author shows, they engage the reader. Yes, this is a tool. Yet, it brought about the consideration of the way new worlds and areas of study open for people to explore as they read.
• Show and Tell - Students bring an item to share with the class. They explain what it is and the meaning for the individual or family.
• On show to tell – Relics provide history via placards or with the help of docents in museums.

For me this is all about connections. It is nifty when scattered thoughts combine to deliver coherence and clarity. Seeing the big picture brings new awareness.

If you have been here a while, you might have read about my love for trees in prior posts. One of my fascinations is that they stood watching while history unfolded. When I see an old sentinel, I wonder what they observed. 

I was excited to see this display. Take a gander at the notations on this tree slice. Here are a few of the dates on the markers starting from the center.

"In 1348 this tree sprouted" 

"1492 Columbus arrives in America" 

"1620 Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock"

"1775 Revolutionary War Begins"

"1789 George Washington becomes President"

You get the idea. How incredible is that? This tree was here before the birth of the US. The last entry states "1959 Willis Carey Museum opens. Now named the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village."

This exhibit is on the property of The Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village. On a clear, crisp day, we toured outbuildings and cabins depicting daily life during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The exhibits inside gave a more detailed view. 

After reflecting on this visit and perusing the photos, I realized what neat connections lie between museums and literature. Much like the show and tell bits above, this is an example of how we share our history and invite others to experience our stories. Often in books I read about an item I have not seen. While the authors may share enough information to allow my imagination to fill in the blanks, it is still a neat opportunity to stumble across the actual item. I thought you might enjoy a few aha moments as well.

My favorite genre is Christian Historical Fiction. I wish I could remember the exact book where I learned this term. My guess is in one of Lori Benton’s Path Finders books, The Woods Edge, or A Flight of Arrows. Have you ever read of a parfleche? Here is an example below. It served as a sack or bag to protect Bibles, journals, and other items.

I am not sure if it was in William Henry is a FineName by Cathy Gohlke or in A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist. I remember reading about tobacco pouches and tobacco twists.

It could have been in any number of books, but perhaps in Stephanie Grace Whitson’s Dakota Moons or Prairie Winds series, a headdress adorned with eagle feathers. Did you know that each eagle feather in a headdress represents an act of bravery?

In all the accounts I read of Native Americans riding horses, I do not think I found one in which they used saddles on their horses. This is one used by the Blackfoot with a hook for a papoose board. Also, the most elaborate papoose board I have ever seen. 

In multiple novels, trappers’ cabins and trappers’ lines existed. Here is a reproduction of a room inside a cabin. These are authentic items owned and donated by Howard Balsdon, the last working trapper in the vicinity of the Cashmere Museum.

The next time you are enjoying the pages of a book and read a new term for an item you have not seen, consider searching for a photo online. Consult museum archives or look for a book on the topic in your local library. History will live on in your thoughts and maybe you will share what you learn with another.

Are there any unfamiliar items you can think of that caused you to pause while reading? Is there a book you read that you connected to an item in person at a later date?

As a child, Rebecca loved to write. She nurtured this skill as an educator and later as an editor for an
online magazine. Rebecca then joined the Cru Ministry - NBS2GO/Neighbor Bible Studies 2GO, at its inception. She serves as the YouVersion Content Creator, with over 110 Plans on the Bible.com app.

Rebecca lives near the mountains with her husband and a rescued dog named Ranger. If it were up to her, she would be traveling - right now. As a member of ACFW and FHLCW, Rebecca learns the craft of fiction while networking with a host of generous writers. Connect with Rebecca: Facebook Goodreads Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Preserving Our Past

by Linda Farmer Harris

Local museums like the San Juan Historical Society Pioneer Museum in Pagosa Spring, Colorado, preserve historical records, artifacts, and memories from that area's past. Their focus is "Preserving Our Past for Our Future."

Communities that collect and preserve pieces of their history are richer because of the shared endeavor. Museums are also a treasure trove of resources and gateway to other holders of local history.

San Juan Historical Society Museum, Pagosa Spring, Colorado

In 1970, Glenn Edmonds put a notice in The Pagosa Springs SUN announcing a meeting to form a museum. The community responded and by 1976 the present building and location were acquired. Financial donations and restoration services were secured and quality pieces were donated for display.

Docent Ann Oldham gave me a tour of the exhibits and related the history associated with them. They are still acquiring pieces. The need to expand the museum was evident.

The museum office includes the old Pay Cage from the Hersch Mercantile Building, donated by Hal Franklin. Dr. Ellsworth's dental chair is on display. The old Chromo Post Office fixtures were donated by Fitzhugh Havens.

Other displays included a blacksmith shop, a typical early 1900 kitchen, logging and ranching equipment, railroad memorabilia, saddles and tack, and farming equipment, and so much more.

One way to preserve history and generate revenue for the museum is through the publication of pictures and stories. The San Juan Historical Society collects and compiles information to publish in their Remembrances series.

Ms. Oldham showed me 13 published volumes of Remembrances covering Founding Families (Vol.1), The Bride of the Silver San Juan (Vol.2), School Days, School Days (Vol.3, shown above), Making a Living (Vol.4), Living in God's Country (Vol.5), Food on the Range (Vol.6), Day to Day (Vol.7), Then and Now (Vol.8), Voices from the Past (Vol.9), A Woman's Work (Vol.10), Federal Forest Reserves (Vol.11), Military Matters (Vol.12), Unlucky Days (Vol.13).

The content is fairly obvious from the volume title except for Vol. 13 Unlucky Days. I had to look through that volume. It was clear from the stories why the volume was titled unlucky.

Stories had titles such as "The great 1919 fires; Failure of the First Bank of Pagosa; Catchpole's mistake or folly; Questionable medical devices; Dispute along the 37th parallel; Courthouse in flames; Flu epidemic of 1918-1919; Two bridges down; We still have horse thieves; The Allison Gang; Eighteen days without electricity; Winter in deep snow; plus many more stories.

Ms. Oldham is also an historical author. In 2013, she wrote Albert H. Pfieiffer: Indian Agent, Soldier, and Mountain Man.

The museum's collections include many daily living artifacts, business, and medical tools—things you'd expect in a pioneer museum. They archive pictures and give a written synopsis of events.

Farm and Ranch Equipment

Old Pictures & Histories

Pioneer Families and Places around Pagosa Springs

Pagosa Lumber Company Safe, Ledgers, and Posting Machine

They have a Metabulator (below) in their vintage medical apparatus section. It was used to measure a patient's basal metabolic rate—how much oxygen consumed while breathing.

Crank Telephone above a Metabulator & Chair

Telephone Switchboard

This console brings back memories. My mother was chief operator for Southern Bell Telephone in my hometown. We lived in the telephone company house—front room housed the switchboards and the other rooms housed us. It's recorded in a company newsletter that my first words were "number please." When my brother was born mom gave up her day job and dad moved us into our own home.

My first job after high school was with First State Bank in Lubbock, Texas. They had the PBX (private branch exchange) business system with one operator and one assistant. The day they were both out sick caused unbelievable chaos. It turned out I was the only one who knew how to work the system. I didn't know the people, extensions or departments because I was only a bookkeeper, but a cheat-sheet, a quick run-through, and we were good to go. That day I began the official back-up to the back-up.

Memories are a wonderful part of a local museum. Objects can trigger memories of experiences that had already settled in the deep reaches of our minds. I hadn't thought about switchboards in years, or the party-line system we had until I was in college. The first time we had a private line, we all listened for the "rings" that told us when to answer our phone. We laughed about the calls we missed because one long ring was for the Bakers and we were waiting for the four quick or short rings that meant us. It took a while to get in the habit of answering the one long ring.

Tools of Many Trades

Frank Matthews's Barber Tools & Store Front

School Desks, Books, and hand-crank Eraser Duster

I remember these desks in elementary school, but we had to bang two erasers together to remove the chalk dust. It must have been fun to put them in the Eraser Duster and crank them clean.

Did you ever have eraser duty? If we didn't read well or acted up in class we'd go home chalky!

The society offers a gift shop featuring a wide variety of items. The gift shop is important to the continued success of the museum. Sales are utilized to offset operating costs.

Ms. Oldham said that this museum faces closure possibly at the end of 2016 if funds are not secured to keep it open.


This is a tragedy and a loss that will be felt throughout the county and beyond. Teachers bring their students to see the things they study in history class, writers get a face-to-face with items they use in their books, and folks get to see the way it used to be before technology became the norm.

My May 27, 2013 HH&H blog—Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight gives a broad brush stroke of the founding of Pagosa Springs, Colorado and some of the more well-known historical spots.

Have you visited your local museum? Are you are contributing or supporting member? What museums have you visited over the years?

 
Lin and her husband, Jerry, live on a hay and cattle ranch in Chimney Rock, Archuleta County, Colorado. Her novella, The Lye Water Bride is included in The California Gold Rush Romance Collection (Barbour Publishing, August 1, 2016).

   

Linda Farmer Harris
Turning Tidbits of History into Unforgettable Stories

Pioneer Museum - Restored 1903 Courthouse

By Tiffany Amber Stockton

Last month, I shared about General William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, and a man like me, who had come from Delaware and made his way to Colorado Springs.

Today, I share another discovery I recently made while walking with hubby and the kids to see a Christmas lights parade in downtown Colorado Springs right after Thanksgiving last year. It's the Pioneer Museum! And they have a collection of personal papers from General Palmer's belongings.

I am getting that itch again to start crafting some stories, and this time, they'll highlight General Palmer somewhere among the pages of the books. I say books, because I'm certain to tell his story in this region, I'll have to spread it all out in a series of different stories. That's okay, though. Ever since I moved here to Colorado, I've been anxious to dig deep into the culture and history of the Centennial State--so named because it was founded in 1876, one hundred years after the founding of our great nation.

Another little tidbit about me is I'm a bicentennial baby, so living in a state that's one hundred years older than I only makes everything that much more fascinating to me. :)

Back to the Pioneer Museum.

The Museum is located downtown in the beautifully restored 1903 El Paso County Courthouse at 215 South Tejon street. It portrays the history and culture of the Pikes Peak Region in exhibits emphasizing the unique character of the Front Range community.

Centered in one of two primary downtown parks, this elegant and historic structure is surrounded by inviting green lawns, colorful flowers, and splendid outdoor sculptures. You should see the towering trees decked out at Christmas with professionally-strung lights and glowing snowflakes!

The Museum has over 60,000 objects in its collections that are always changing, which makes repeat visits feel like you're there for the first time. And who can deny the beauty of the interior and the restoration work done to preserve this historical landmark!

This museum is fully accredited by the American Association of Museums, and a winner of local and national awards for excellence. It offers a rewarding and enjoyable experience for people of all ages and interests. A visit provides a look into the spirit, past and present, of the city nestled at the foot of Pikes Peak, America’s most famous mountain.

If you're ever in the area of Colorado Springs, be sure to add this to your sightseeing stops. I'm only just getting a glimpse of all the museum has to offer, but I look forward to developing a great relationship with the museum and its staff.

Now it's YOUR turn:

• Do you like museums? Which one is your favorite?
• Have you ever utilized a museum or archives anywhere for research on anything?

*** NEW RELEASE ***

February marked the release of my 15th title, Brandywine Brides. This is a 3-book compilation of my series set in historic Delaware during the Gilded Age. The stories connect the family from my very first series to the family featured in this one.

Nestled amid the beauty of historical Delaware, three generations of bookstore owners find love grows out of a shared love for great literature. Charlotte Pringle is pressured by her parents to marry advantageously, but while Richard Baxton loves her, he cannot provide for her because all his finances go to help his niece walk again. Grace Baxton is on the search for a missing heirloom book. Andrew Bradenton offers to help her, but his past mistakes cast him in a suspicious light, even while a dashing suitor catches Grace’s eye. After the loss of his friend and her brother on the Titanic, Aaron Stone encourages Lillian Bradenton to restore her hope by bringing a boarded-up bookstore back to life. Will each woman’s literature-inspired dreams lead her to the right man of faith and devotion?

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BIO

Tiffany Amber Stockton has been crafting and embellishing stories since childhood, when she was accused of having a very active imagination and cited with talking entirely too much. Today, she has honed those childhood skills to become an award-winning author and speaker who has partnered with Nerium International in the anti-aging skin care industry, helping others look younger and live better.

She lives with her husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They have one girl and one boy, a Retriever mix named Roxie and and Australian cattle dog named Timber. She has sold seventeen (17) books so far and is represented by agent Sandra Bishop of the TransAtlantic Agency. You can also find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.