“History is Objective” …. “It Does Matter”…

“History is Objective” …. “It Does Matter”…
Interview with the Canadian War Museum
Featuring Dr. Peter MacLeod, Historian, Pre-Confederation

Historians - Museums versus Living History & Reenactor/Reenactments

We were able to ask Dr. Peter MacLeod, Historian, Pre-Confederation with the Canadian War Museum what he felt were the differences between Museums (static) verses Living History Museums (Pioneer Villages)? His reply …“Living history sites attempt to recreate the past for visitors; museums bring visitors in touch with the past primarily (but not exclusively) through the display of artifacts. The Canadian War Museum goes to great lengths to develop appealing visitor experiences that enhance our educational role, including interactive kiosks and in-gallery activities that tie in historical elements.”

Dr. Peter MacLeod goes on to say … “A museum showcases real artifacts. Actual artifacts that you just can’t duplicate”. An example we saw while visiting the War of 1812 Exhibition was Sir Isaac Brock’s coat; Gary kept pointing to the “actual bullet hole”. Dr. MacLeod spoke of an actual piece of the White House they have on exhibit. You can’t “exactly” repeat authenticity. He went on to talk about how the coat had been examined under ultraviolet light, which provided additional information about Brock’s last day on the battlefield. For example, they can see where the grease from his hair resonated on the neck of the coat; they could see hints of blood around the area the bullet penetrated. I am not a historian, so I apologize now for the inadequate terminology here. Hopefully, my point has been articulated here though.

MacLeod goes on to say that what is important to a reenactor is, in part, dictated by our current society, in the way they commemorate things. In our culture today, often commemorative items are spearheaded through trinket items such as grave markets, coins, etc. While visiting the War of 1812 Exhibition, I noticed a commemorative coin celebrating 100 years of peace, labeled as the 10^th issue. Dr. Peter MacLeod told us that the Canadian Mint continues to commemorate with coins as society relates to these tokens. Royal Mint Canada has produced a brilliant fine silver dollar “British sergeant, Voltigeur Canadien and Iroquois warrior approach the invader; united in their determination to defend the colonies. Encircling the design are 200 finely struck beads symbolizing the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.” And a Tecumseh fine silver dollar coin; “coin features Tecumseh against an intricately engraved background comprised of the words “The War of 1812” in both English and French. Featured in the design is the engraved and painted Government of Canada War of 1812 logo: composed of stylistic 1812 typography encompassed by a stylized maple leaf with ecru swords crossing behind it.”

Dr. Peter MacLeod explains that Pioneer Villages re-create the past, while Museums present historical artifacts. While Pioneer Villages re-enact a merchant store, the Museum will focus on artifacts such as the sales records of the merchants for that period, to learn about all the intricacies of that period.

(To Be Continued)