Journal Notes

Living History Museums Experiencing History First Hand

If you are having difficulty getting your child to study history then try taking them to one or two living history museums where they can experience history first hand. Being able to visit the places where long ago events actually took place and seeing reenactments of what occurred can help your child better understand the event and want to learn more about it.

There are all kinds of living history museums scattered all around the world. You may be able to visit that town in the old west and walk the dirt streets, have a sarsaparilla in the local saloon or watch a gunfight at high noon. Or perhaps you can visit a fort and see what fur trading was like and the type of gardens early American colonists kept or walk on the deck of slave ship and step below and hear the clang of the door shut and experience for a few short moments what it was like to be packed in among of hundreds of human bodies with little space to move and absolutely no privacy.

By watching the games children played in different eras, the making of candles, the building of canoes and ship, or the tending of a lighthouse children learn more about not just the important events of history, but what life was like how people like them adapted and survived. It allows them to become excited about the past and really understand what the study of history is all about.

Living history museums make history really come alive by allowing those who visit to step back into the past, into a different time and get a real visual idea of the problems and the joys of a different time in history. It is a unique experience and helps children not just read about the past, but to actual experience a bit of it first hand.

Learning Fascinating Facts About Where You Live

Every state has its own unique history and events that shaped it from its humble beginnings until its current status today. While some states have colorful pasts that include gun fighters and gold rushes others have interesting stories to tell regarding the first settlers or that batch of mail order brides.

Some states are known for their food, others for their heroes, and still others for their villains. Learning some of the interesting facts about the state you live in will not only make you feel more a part of the states continuing history, but also may give you some interesting tidbits of conversation for that next together.

Surprisingly, much of the most interesting stories about your state's history won't be found in a book, but rather in old newspaper archives or small town or county museums. These small little insights into the people and events that helped build your own community and others communities that make up your state is an interesting blend of colorful characters, natural disasters, and just plain dumb luck. By exploring the history of your state you can discover not only things about the past, but also things about your own ancestors, your neighbors, and even yourself.

Better yet, poking around those old ghost towns and forts, Checking out that music hall or fame or standing on the ground where a famous battle was fought can make for a great family outing and give you a sense of the roots that were put down years and perhaps a century or two before you born. There is a certain sense of pride in visiting a place where the first car was built or to see the first house had indoor plumping. It gives one bragging rights about the place you live in which you feel pride. Learning about your state history can be a fun and rewarding experience and bring you closer to this place you call home.

How to Succeed as a Flea Market Business

Going to a flea market, or swap meet, is one of the best small businesses you can start. It is easy and does not require a lot of investments. It is just like having a garage sale, but in a setting with many other vendors trying to sell their items. There are some things that go better at flea markets than other things. Here is how to make a profit at a flea market and what sells best.

Clothes: this is one of the best selling items at a flea market, especially children and infant's clothes. Make sure that the clothes you are selling are not stained up, have a lot of rips and tears. Do not over price your clothes because they are not new clothes, but are uses so price accordingly.

Accessories: this can include hats, scarves, wallets, purses, bracelets, anklets, earrings, hair accessories, and more.

Old magazines and books: going to a flea market is a great way of getting rid of these types of items.

Footwear: make sure that the footwear you are trying to sell does not smell, is clean, and not falling apart. One type of footwear that sells great at flea markets is sandals.

Old furniture: this can include old chairs, tables, lounge chairs, rocking chairs, sofas, and more. There are always people who just needs an extra chair, or are moving into a new apartment and do not have any furniture. Furniture is another great flea market seller.