Egypt is on a role...

Now, as outlined in a recent CBC article, Egypt is attempting to repatriate the bust of Nefertiti from Germany. Egyptian authorities are on a roll and museums with extensive Egyptian artefact collections must be shaking in their boots. I'll have to keep an eye on this situation... it could get very interesting.

Quick Update!

In the past few days I came across two articles that relate to topics I have recently discussed. To get another opinion or want to find out more click away!

- Someone else loves the Terra Cotta Warriors as much as I do!

- Repatriation in action!

Hey Rosetta Stone!

I think people underestimate the amount of controversy that can happen within the walls of a museum. Of course, with recent strikes at museums in Ottawa and Paris, the public is slowly become aware that museum communities are not cold, comatose, and static institutions but are willing to fight for themselves and the collections of which they are entrusted.

This is becoming especially apparent when looking at repatriation. I developed an interest in this subject after writing a paper about it for my Debates in Archaeology class. I mostly looked at the efforts of Natives Americans to reclaim the remains of their ancestors, which can be found in museums across the world.* Countries, states, provinces, and museums all have different policies regarding returning Native remains to their ancestors and it is a very controversial subject that has no easy solution. Much of the controversy surrounds trying to prove that the remains are genetically or culturally linked to the Tribe that is trying to secure their release.

Human remains are only part of the repatriation debate. I don't think many people realize that many artifacts found in the Western World's larger museums were essentially "stolen" from other countries during war, invasion, and smuggling. An excellent example of this is the famous Rosetta Stone. Since passing through several hands, including Napoleon, the Rosetta Stone can now be found at the British Museum, however, according to a recent article Egypt would like to see the famous stone back home. British museum professionals seem reluctant to part with the Rosetta Stone, claiming it will not receive the proper care and protection if it was to be put on display in Egypt.

However, the BBC states that Egyptians museum professionals are willing to negotiate and hopefully reach a compromise with their British counterparts. This is a fairly high profile case and will be closely watched by those governments who are also thinking about making a case for the repatriation of their country's national treasures. The Rosetta Stone could unwillingly set the standard for international repatriation.


And now... I present the inspiration for the title of this post, Hey Rosetta! is an awesome Canadian band... check them out!




*Colonialism plays an important role in the repatriation debate. Many of the artifacts under debate, especially the remains of Native Americans, found in museums in Britain, Canada, and the United States were taken during times of conflict, when a stronger power was trying to dominate the original inhabitants. An example of this in Canada would be when Natives were pushed onto reserves. Many of their burial sites were poorly excavated and the remains of their ancestors were shipped to museums across the world. The fact that most of these museums still have these remains serves as a reminder to the days of colonialism.

iPhones, Museums, and You

I remember a gr. 6 field trip to visit Casa Loma in Toronto. As part of the tour we were given listening devices that resembled a Walkman (or a portable audio cassette player) that guided us through the rooms, noting neat facts and pointing out special objects. I can't quite remember, but I strongly suspect it was not an overly enthusiastic commentary and probably wasn't made for the attention span of your average pre-teen. I quickly abandoned the audio guide and made my own way through the rooms, awed at their grandeur but ignorant of their importance.

I recently read an article that declared iPhones and "apps" the technology of choice for museums, like the Victoria and Albert Museum and art galleries, that are attempting to enhance the exhibit-viewing experience. Visitors can download apps that give tours, provide additional information and interactive 3-D images of various artifacts.

Besides being only available to iPhone owners and having to pay for the application, I think this is a fantastic idea. It allows people to interact with exhibits without having to physically touch the the artifact. An interactive map could ensure that you don't miss any aspects of the museum or gallery. It also cuts back on the use of paper, since many museums still give out maps, which at the end of the day can be found littered all over the museum.

It would be great if this app could help advertise related or upcoming exhibits. For example: if you indicated that you liked one particular artist or themed exhibit, the app could suggest other areas of the museum or institutions that relate to this interest.

People love technology and showing off their latest gadget. Bringing iPhones into museums gives people an excuse to show off their fancy phones, but most importantly, brings audio tours into the 21st century with cool graphics, hopefully capturing the attention and imagination of adults and 6th graders alike.

Being an avid reader, movie/TV watcher, and school-goer, I have learned about cool places and things found all over the world that one day I would like to see in person.

Up first is L'Anse aux Meadow in Newfoundland, Canada. I cannot exactly remember when my obsession with Vikings began, but after writing several essays for various archaeology and history classes, I began to appreciate these Norsemen for who they were- talented explorers, shipbuilders, and farmers [although I have to admit, they did pilage and were fairly ruthless when dealing with monks]. It would be an amazing opportunity to visit the earliest known European settlement site in North America, and to actually see the structures and artifacts I have written so much about.

In 2008 I went on a short trip to St. John's with my sister and father, but was disappointed to learn that this UNESCO World Heritage Site was at least 8 hours away by car. But I still intend to make it out there one day.

Next up, I really want to see Stonehenge. I know it's a very cliche and "touristy" thing to do, but, again, after learning about in British history and watching a fasinating documentary about the site, I still want to see this stone monstrosity.

Who doesn't want to see the The Great Pyramids of Giza? Or any pyramids for that matter. The last time I studied Ancient Egypt I think was in elementary school, but the images have stuck with me. I also have to admit, that my interest in Egyptian archaeology was renewed when I started reading Elizabeth Peter's books about Amelia Peabody, a British archaeologist who always manages to stumbled upon a mystery while digging in Egypt with her family.

But lucky for me, I just have to hop a train to Toronto to get a glimpse of Egypt. I can't wait to check out the King Tut exhibit at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

I have always wanted to see the Terracotta army in China since first year archaeology. I just cannot fathom how overwhelming this sight must be, with over 8,000 soldiers and not two of them looking the same. But lucky for me, since I cannot afford to travel to China, in 2011 The Musee des Beaux-Arts de Montreal will be featuring 14 soldiers from this amazing archaeological find.

Next my travels will take me to South America where I will visit Machu Picchu. I have always been interested in Inca architecture and I bet the view would be amazing.

Last, but certainly not least, I have always wanted to go to Easter Island to see the giant stone heads. I know close to nothing about them but have always thought they looked cool and it would be incredible to see so many in one place. And I admire their acting.

Historically fashionable

Through my job at the Stratford Shakespeare Festival Archives, I recently had the amazing opportunity to venture to Toronto and attend the opening show for LG Fashion Week, Beauty by L'Oreal. The first runway show of the evening celebrated L'Oreal's 100th anniversary and featured designs inspired by the style of each decade the beauty empire has been in business, beginning with 1910.

On the large screens at the top of the runway, a pictorial history of L'Oreal was shown by utilizing archival pictures and advertisements. It was interesting to see in quick succession, [and I mean quick! Those models can move!] a history of 20th century Western fashion. In my opinion as a historian who knows nothing about the history of fashion, it seems like the 20th century saw the greatest change in regards to what people, espcially women, wore. As women began to enter the work force, especially after WWII, they had less time to make clothes, but had the finances to purchase them from department stores and catalogues that springing up all over the country.

What I do know about the history of fashion is that it's cyclical. I learned in my grade 11 Fashion Class that evidence of this cycle can been seen by looking at silhouettes of women's skirts. They start with large, puffy skirts, then it turns into a bell shape, eventually slims down, and slowly, through the decades, volume increases again. A perfect example of this, as was illustrated in the fashion show, was going from the slim "flapper" look of the 1920's, to Dior's New Look, which brought back the fuller skirt in the 1950's.This principle can sometimes be useful in my current job when I'm trying to identify which time period a certain play takes place.

I am still, however, trying to find a historical precendent for the 1980's.

My favourite look of the evening was the one inspired by the 1940's. It was an A-line skirt, premeditating Dior's New Look, with a fitted blazer, perhaps a salut to the female military contribution in World War II.

I'm back...

After taking a brief break from blogging, I am going to attempt to post more regularly about what's happening in the world of history and perhaps delve into the wonderful world of archaeology.


Movies, television shows, and miniseries set in the past are very popular [nostalgia for better days I suppose, when people made their own butter]. Many strive for historical accuracy, although a lack of finances and sometimes just plain ignorance hinder these attempts. I distinctly remember watching an episode of That 70's Show when the gang went to Canada and Fez was stopped by the Mounties. A map of Canada was prominently displayed in Mountie Headquarters. However, someone in charge of props or sets was unfamiliar with 1970's Canadian geography and the map contained Nunavut, which was recognized as a territory in 1999.

Fans of the hit television show Mad Men will be familiar with creator Matthew Weiner's dedication and passion for getting the historical details regarding the 1960s sets, costumes, and events correct. And he'd better be accurate, considering people with really big televisions and a lot of time on their hands are carefully analyzing every detail presented on the screen. A recent article from The New York Times explores the research that goes into creating Mad Men, which includes collaboration with the local historical society.

However, as mentioned above, the show is not always perfect and unfortunately, since it is show biz, sometimes appearance wins out over historical accuracy.

*picture from amctv.com

In Winnipeg with nothing to do?

Plan a visit The Winnipeg Art Gallery which is hosting the traveling exhibit, Marilyn Monroe: Life as a Legend. See for yourself the paintings and pictures which have inspired numerous t-shirts, posters, plates, and coffee mugs. CBC

Hilarious History

Spending sleepness nights wondering what you're going to do with all your random historical knowledge? Or are you frustrated that Canadian history has a reputation as being dull and boring and want to prove to your friends that history can be cool? Enter Kate Beaton.

My older brother introduced me to Kate Beaton's comics, which offer a hilarious interpretation of world and Canadian history. The great thing about Kate's comics is the diversity in subject manner. It is strong in Canadian content (she does a great Diefenbaker), but it is mixed in with random drawings of dandy's, former English monarchs, and the odd celebrity. The site really offers something for everyone. A new site was recently launched and includes a convenient archive.

For more about Kate Beaton check out here and here.




Bonus:
In keeping with the theme of hilarious history here is a look at what kind of Twitters God, Newton, and Darwin would post: CBC

Paved paradise and put up a fake fishing village...

I never gave much thought to public history's relationship with the environment. However, after reading a few articles regarding the interaction between these two fields, I realized just how much of an impact public historians can have on landscapes.

It is virtually impossible to find a track of land in Canada that has not been touched by humans. The landscape has been altered by the cutting down of trees, building of houses, construction of fences, and even the planting of foreign plant species. Major historical events, like battles, take place on land, altering it as well. While both public historians and environmentalists want to preserve and restore the land and the objects on it, they sometimes have difference priorities as to what exactly should be preserved and how.

Environmentalists are concerned with preserving the landscape and wildlife that might surround places of historical significance, while public historians seem more involved with physical objects and structures such as attractive houses and famous buildings. Preoccupations such as these could endanger the landscape, especially when high tourism traffic creates an increase in infrastructure. Suddenly concerns for the environment are quickly forgotten.

While reading about public history and the environment the example of Magnetic Hill (pictured above) in New Brunswick, popped into my head. The Hill's claim to fame is that there is a hill (obviously) where it's easier walk/drive/bike up it than it is to go down (it does opposite of what a hill is suppose to). Even the water in the ditch runs uphill. Magnetic Hill has confused citizens living in the surrounding countryside since the 19th century. It used to be located on a rural road but is now the centre of a tourist mecca.

When my parents first visited Magnetic Hill in the olden days (sometime in the 1970's) there was nothing but a sign indicating which dirt road had the hill. Later when we returned in the 1990's on our family tour of the East Coast, I remember there was maybe a parking lot and increased signage. However, the last few* times I have visited Magnetic Hill in the 2000's I have witnessed a drastic change. There are shops, restaurants, giant stuffed lobsters and moose, and a fudge factory (well, to tell you the truth, I have nothing against the fudge factory, every historical site should have a fudge factory). The parking lot has increased in size and concrete. The rural New Brunswick scenery that used to be there is no more and has been replaced with border line theme park.

Magnetic Hill became the environmentalists worst nightmare. The natural rural environment has been replaced by a theme park that is supposed to be a replica of a fishing village, with a nearby water park and zoo.

Working together public historians and environmentalists could have found a way to still promote Magnetic Hill to tourists, but also maintain the rural landscape. Perhaps taking this opportunity to educate people on rural New Brunswick and the type of agriculture local farmers cultivated.

*Why have I been to Magnetic Hill so much? Because of all the restaurants and shops, it's a nice rest stop on the way to Halifax. And who can resist a fudge factory?

Historical research at a whole new level...

In Vannevar Bush's 1945 work, As We May Think, he anticipates what technologies the future will have access to, including a walnut sized camera, the potential to look at a picture as soon as it has been taken, fax machines, and talking typewriters. As citizens of the 21st century, we have seen these technologies come to fruition, and new things continue to be invented every day. What is next, time travel?


Time travel for a historian would be extremely useful, as primary sources like newspapers, journal and diary entries, photographs, and other records can only tell or show us so much. Select Connie Willis books explore this very idea. Set in the not too distant future, the 2050s, students from Oxford University travel back in time to witness a Medieval Christmas in Doomsday Book and prepare for the reconstruction of a cathedral but end up match-making in the Victoria era instead in To Say Nothing of the Dog.

Willis has done a good job incorporating the genres of history and sci-fi. Time travel rules are carefully established, the net (which is like a time machine) will not open in the past if an incongruity will be caused. For example, the net ensures that you will not be able to go back to kill Hitler. It will drop you in a location, physically or temporally, far enough away making it impossible. Also, physical objects cannot be brought back to the future, so forget about trying to pocket gold coins you stole off of a pirate in hopes that when you return to the present you can sell them for big bucks on eBay.

Each decade is also given a safety rating from 1-10, 10 being the most dangerous. Chances are, if a period has a high rating for your race, gender, and age, there is a slim chance you'll be given permission to take the trip. For example, an African American would not be sent back to the United States during the 1800s. Dangerous eras in history, like wars and plagues, are avoided if possible...

Just imagine how the study and practice would change with this technology. One would actually be able to go back in time to see if his or her theories were correct. So-called "facts" and other research could be double checked. Government, church, and other records could be verified. Histories could be written about those individuals who have been left out of history books because they did not have a strong written tradition or were ignored because they were deemed as unimportant at the time.

If I had the opportunity to travel back in time, I think I would go back to the 1920's, take in a vaudeville show and perhaps patronize a speakeasy. I would be reluctant to back in time too far, as I have developed a certain fondness for indoor plumbing and as a woman, some periods in history wouldn't be that much fun, depending on my social class.

Connie Willis has written other books, which I haven't read yet, but I highly recommend adding Doomsday Book and To Say Nothing of the Dog to your summer reading list.

Photo: Doc and Marty McFly from Back to the Future (www.guardian.co.uk)

Lights, camera, action!

In case you could not tell from some of my previous posts, I am a huge movie fan. I like watching movies from all decades, genres, and countries. Most of my favourite films have touch of history, whether it takes place during the Civil War, the St. Louis World's Fair, or involves famous historical figures in unlikely situations. However, there are three movies/miniseries that sit at the top of my list.

Casablanca



A classic film with a unique take on World War II. Romance, danger, and intrigue, what more could you ask for?


Band of Brothers



Although not technically a movie, I first watched this in it's entirety during the first few weeks of September. Not being a WWII buff, I learned a lot about America's involvement in the war, and the experience of a soldier. What takes this miniseries to the next level is that most of the characters are based on real-life people. Interviews with the men were filmed and shown throughout the series.

The History Boys



I like this movie for several reasons. Cute boys with English accents aside, it makes me look at history in a different way (what makes something a "turning point"?) and question how it's taught in schools (think outside the box!). The class also has some heated historical debates, which I wish could happen in some of my tutorial sessions. This movie also features, in my opinion, the best definition of history.

Looking for somewhere to vacation?

Here is a good reason to visit the Smithsonian!

Cows, Canonballs, and Bonnets, Oh my!

This is the second installment in the series of posts that I like to call "What made Jenna want to study history?" Today, we will be looking at my favourite pioneer villages.

Kings Landing Historical Settlement

This pioneer village wants to take you back to New Brunswick in the 1800s. The first, and so far only, time I went here was with my family in the mid 1990s on our tour of Eastern Canada. What attracted me to this village was it's vastness and how populated the village was. There was enough volunteers in the structures and wandering around to give it that distinct historical flavour. The volunteers also came from a wide age range. In one house there was actually a baby in historical costume sleeping in a basket from the 19th century. I also remember the printer's apprentice was quite attractive...

Unfortunately, any illusion I had as a preteen that pioneer villages were authentic were dashed when one house my mother and I visited were making Kraft Dinner for lunch. My mom was visibly perturbed. Nevertheless, I highly recommend a trip to King's Landing if you're ever in New Brunswick, you can only go up Magnetic Hill so much, and what else is there to do in Canada's only official bi-lingual province?

Fortress Louisbourg

This site was another stop on the Leifso family tour of the East Coast. My favourite element of the Fortress had to be the volunteers wandering around dressed as 18th century soldiers. There were also plenty of buildings to explore in this fortified town. Some houses were extravagantly decorated, while others represented how poorer French citizens lived. Canons were fired at certain times during the day and in the dining hall you have to wear a napkin around your neck. I would definitely recommend planning to spend a day here if you find yourself Cape Breton and unwilling to conquer the Cabot Trail.

Fort Mackinac

This site takes us north of border to Michigan. To be completely honest, I cannot remember why my family came here in the 1990's, but I do remember having a good time. Why? Because people shot rifles and you could dress up a soldier. Being able to dress-up scores big points with me. This site has probably changed a lot since I was a kid, and it would be interesting to go back one day to see if it would still make this list.


This list is obviously biased towards the pioneer villages that I have visited and how I remember them. There is probably some terrific heritage sites on Canada's west coast and around the world, but I just have not had the opportunity to visit them yet.

I am also aware that pioneer villages do not accurately represent history. They tend to focus on the good, ignoring the bad, for example: sewage is not floating down the streets, no one is in the gutters dying of small pox, and there is indoor plumbing. However, most villages are fairly successful at showing how differently people dressed, that people had vegetable gardens, and sometimes you had to share a room with 5 of your brothers and sisters. In many cases, these villages give some people their first chance to get close-up to animals like horses, cows, pigs, and sheep. What pioneer villages did for me was to get me interested in what Canada was like before Confederation. I could follow up these visits by reading more books on the subject and asking questions.

Pioneer Villages do not mirror the past, but they are a great way to spend a day outside, walking in the fresh air.

*Photographs courtesy of King's Landing, Fortress Louisbourg, and Fort Mackinac

Historical Fiction, an alternative to the textbook

It's a question that you hear a lot, "how do you get kids interested in history?" The history that I learned in elementary and high school was your typical Rich White Man History, and I have to admit, it was boring and irrelevant to my life. I have given considerable thought to how I became interested in history and came to the conclusion that it was the things I experienced outside of school that piqued my interest in this subject, like reading books, visiting pioneer villages, and watching movies. This blog will deal with my three favourite historical fiction books from when I was a tween. In later entries I will discuss my favourite historical travel destinations and movies.

1) The King's Daughter by Suzanne Martel
Published by Groundwood Books, 1974.

Martel tells the story of an orphaned French girl, Jeanne Chatel, who becomes a King's Daughter, travels to New France and marries a French settler. I enjoyed (and still do) reading this book because of all the adventures Jeanne has while attempting to settle in what is now Quebec. She first faces a treacherous cross-Atlantic journey, and once in New France she has to suddenly adjust to the responsibilities of raising two step-children with a new husband she barely knows, who is often away. This book is unique because it is told from the female point-of-view when most histories of this time come from the male inhabitants. It proves that women also came to North America looking for adventures.

2) The Dark Tower by Sharon Stewart
Published by Scholastic, 1998.

This is another novel about a girl living in France, and although she tries to escape the country with her family, she is not so lucky. Stewart based this book on the journal written by Marie Therese Charlotte de France, the oldest child of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Reading this book was my first introduction to the French Revolution. I became familiar with some of the causes and key players of the revolution. This novel also does a good job of dispelling some of the myths surrounding the French Revolution, especially in regards to Marie Antoinette. Stewart does a good job showing what it might have been like to be a member of the royal family living in Versailles and during the French Revolution.



3) Spying on Miss Muller
Published by Fawcett Juniper, 1995

In this novel, Bunting explores the lives of four girls living and learning in an Irish boarding school during the Second World War. The students suspect that their German language teacher is a spy for the Nazis and attempt to catch her in the act. The book reflects what many people living in Britain experienced during WWII; air raids, family members enlisting in the army, and suspicion of German people now living in the UK. Even though the war was going on, the girls still had experiences that I could relate to as a tween in elementary school.

Now, you may have noticed that these books all have female protagonists. I was obviously biased towards books about girls when I was younger, which is understandable... it was the age of the Spice Girls and Girl Power, and I wasn't learning about females in my history classes at school. Aside from The Dark Tower, these novels also deal with middle to low class characters whose names will not appear in history books. Because I read these books as a youth I discovered that women and so-called "common" people had a role in history and to me, their stories and experiences were more intriguing than those of the Rich White Men.

The Debate Continues... and it just got a lot sexier

Nymag.com is reporting that Amazon has come out with a new version of the Kindle, a gadget that can store multiple digital copies of books etc. which are are then read on a screen. Apparently the Kindle 2 has lost some weight, however still not water proof leaving bathtub readers out of luck.

I have to admit, the concept of having 1,500 books stored in one "book" is appealing, especially since I like to read several books at one time. But, as the person who lives below me can probably attest, I drop things a lot. I also misplace things and spill beverages a lot. Many of my books are stained with coffee, chocolate, and toothpaste (I like to read while brushing my teeth). For me, purchasing a Kindle 2 just doesn't make sense. Yet I can see this option as becoming popular with groups of people who travel a lot and are accustomed to reading things on screens for long periods of time. Having some extra cash might also be necessary for the $359 (US) price tag.

Buyer be wary

People love buying old stuff then finding out it's worth a small fortune. Antiques Roadshow successfully cashes in on this premise. People bring in crap from their attics or basements that they bought for $1 at a flea market, which their spouses absolutely despise because of it's gaudy colour and vulgar depictions, to find out that it could pay for a Mediterranean Cruise.

Well something similar has happened to a Quebec man. According to a story on CBC.ca, Bobby Rouillard bought an old looking hockey stick for $3,000 to find out that the wood the hockey stick is made from dates between 1633 and 1666. Rouillard plans to sell it on eBay, hopefully to an NHL player, and is starting the bidding at $1 million dollars because he believes that it is the oldest hockey stick in the world.

If any NHL players or extreme hockey memorabilia collectors read this blog, I beg of you not to buy this stick. As the CBC points out, just because the wood is that old does not mean the stick is as well. If my archaeological classes have taught me anything, it's that certain environments are ideal for preserving very old pieces of wood. Anyone in the mid-1800s could have found a chunk of this wood in a forest or bog and made the stick.

Also, carbon dating isn't 100% accurate. A number of things could have happened to the wood to produce an incorrect or misleading date (I can't remember the specifics because I don't have my North American Archaeology notes with me).

So Ovechkin, just because you have some cash to throw around, don't go buying this stick believing it dates to the 17th century, thus totally changing the history of hockey. Just because the wood may or may not be old, doesn't mean the stick is as well.

*Photo courtesy of zimbio.com

Vikings... A Heritage Tourism fad that I can get behind

I have always been interested in Vikings. It may be because of my last name (Leifso --> Leif Eiriksson- see the connection?) or because over the years I have realized how complicated and often misunderstood Vikings are. In undergrad, as a Bioarchaeology and History Major, every opportunity I got, I wrote an essay about Vikings: their actions in Britian, evidence of Norse settlement in what is now Canada, and exploring the possibility of contact between Viking explorers and Natives in the Arctic. It is my dream to one day visit L'Anse aux Meadows in Newfoundland.

In a recent Digital History class, I proclaimed that Vikings are destined to enter the realm of popular culture, much like pirates. Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism seems to agree with me and have created a new commercial promoting L'Anse aux Meadows. Or if that doesn't peak your interest, view the exciting Heritage Minute.

Upon further googling there are a lot of interesting Viking destinations.

For those willing to cross the pond, there is a cool museum/archaeological dig in York called the Jorvik Viking Centre. There is even a Viking toilet!

If visiting the UK isn't your thing, check out the Viking Ship Museum in Denmark, which features "five original 11th-century Viking ships.

If you want to see and learn more about Vikings (and why wouldn't you?) brush up on your Norwegian and head on over to Oslo, Norway to check out their Viking Ship Museum. (The website is predominately in Norwegian, the English site is under construction but temporary English links are available.)

There are still myths and misconceptions surrounding Viking adventures and activities that historians and archaeologists continue to unravel. As a result numerous archaeological sites and museums have been created to help dispel the sometimes [I'm not going to deny there wasn't some raping or pillaging] unwarranted negativity that surrounds these naval geniuses.

Come play on my island...

If you know me or happen to be in some of my classes at UWO, you are aware of my slightly unhealthy obsession with Road to Avonlea. I watched this show every Sunday with my mother and siblings since it first started in 1990 until it ended in 1996. I grew up with the King family and fell in love with Arthur Pettibone. My obsession was rekindled this past fall when A Channel began re-airing the show every Saturday at 7pm (I encourage you to watch, despite what I may say below).

There are many reasons why I enjoy the show: the hi jinx, the romance, the plot twists and turns (Gus Pike is dead! Gus Pike is alive!), the comedy, and the good feeling I get after finishing an episode. It also makes me feel nostalgic for a time that I never lived in. I am taking a Social Memory class this term and we talk a lot about nostalgia- what is it? How can we be nostalgic for a time and place we know barely anything about? If someone would have asked me last fall if I would like to live in the small village of Avonlea on Prince Edward Island, when Canada was on the cusp of the twentieth century, I'm sure I would have said yes. The show makes island life seem exciting and more simple. Then I experienced a power outage over the Christmas break.

I live in a drafty farm house, we depend on well water, which requires electricity and even when the hydro is on my bedroom barely reaches 15C in the winter. Nights without an electric blanket were almost unbearable if it weren't for the 7 blankets, 2 pairs of socks, flannel pj pants, 4 shirts (of varying sleeve length), and pair of gloves I was wearing. Then I realized how absolutely marvellous and majestic indoor plumbing was. I like taking a bath in a bathroom, not in the middle of the kitchen, like Alec King had to do in a recent episode of RTA, with elderly Aunt Eliza looking over his shoulder. I didn't even spend a full 24 hours in my new found "pioneerdom"; I went to the vacant apartment above my dad's office so I could delight in the luxury of warm, running water.

So what originally made me nostalgic for early 20th century Canadian living? Well, it was brought up in class that nostalgia has this unique characteristic in that it allows you to transform it in your mind to fit your ideals and agenda. When I watched RTA I saw kids who ran around causing trouble, and were busy attending socials and parties. I ignored the fact that they had to use outhouses (get that rope ready for the winter so you don't lose yourself in the snow), perform manual farm labour without tractors, and only be able to attend school until the 8th grade.

But I have one question, as Public Historians of the 21st century, is it our responsibility to, so to speak, slap reality back into "history", "heritage", and "nostalgia", or is it better to let people believe that PEI in the early 20th century wasn't such a bad place to be (if you were a member of the upper middle class like the King family, and didn't have to go work in the cannery)?

*Photos courtesy of www.roadtoavonlea.com
Picture at top: Felicity King and Gus Pike
Bottom: A show down between Arthur Pettibone and Gus Pike- it's all so very romantic

Winter Blahs

Now is the perfect time to start researching family history. The snow and cold prevent you from leaving your house, so what are you suppose to do? Some people who have some time on their hands, an internet connection, and basic computer skills (I'm looking at you recently retired Baby Boomers) will attempt to do some exploration into their family history. I recently read in the December 2008/January 2009 edition of The Beaver" about a website designed to help people do just that. The new Roots webpage features "... past Roots columns, links to provincial genealogy sites, plus a forum where you can ask questions and discuss genealogy- related issues and topics," according to the Editor's note by Mark Reid. I decided to check out the site and see how useful it could be to the amateur genealogist.

Since the site was only recently established, there are only 99 registered members. To be able to fully benefit you would have to register on the website. But once you are a member you can post questions and answers on the forum, join and create groups, write a blog, post pictures, and create events. Since there are not a lot of members, the website is seeing little action, but hopefully over time this will change.

The best thing about this website, in my opinion, is the forum. So far, people have posted what aspect of history they are interested in, what they are researching, and various genealogical-type questions. So far, people have been pretty good writing back responses, offering advice and answering questions. However, the forum seems to lack organization. It does not organize posts by themes, and if site activity and the use of the forum increases, it could become very difficult to find a certain thread or topic.

The "Group" part of the website also has the potential to unite families and allow them to pool information. But I did not see the promised "Links" page, unless they consider the Google ad to be sufficient.

I predict that if this site grows, by adding links and more members, it could prove to be very useful to amateur Canadian genealogists who are looking for a little help or a good place to start research.

"I'm Mike from Canmore..."

One of the greatest Canadian television (and radio) shows ended this past New Years Eve. Since 1993 my family has made a point to watch Royal Canadian Air Farce since it started airing on CBC in 1993 (although I believe the first show technically aired on New Years Eve 1992). Watching this show made me the most politically informed student in my gr. 6 class. It helped to teach me the different between all the many political parties and helped me to identify important Canadian and world figures. This is why I hope that this show does not become forgotten. I believe that various shows can be used to teach students in a fun memorable, yet educational way, about Canadian political and social history. How else can you get people to remember that Preston Manning was the leader of the 'Rrrrrrrrrreeeefooorrrrrm party"?

One March Break, my family even went to a taping of the show in Toronto. After the show everyone in the audience had the opportunity to go down to the stage and talk with the cast and the special guest that night, who happened to be Ron Maclean. That night I learned from John Morgan, who played Mike from Canmore, that Mike doesn't know how to write, and when he signs an autograph he writes an "X".

A simple search of the CBC Archives reveals several television clips that are definitely worth checking out.