I’m sure that everyone is familiar with the saying that those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to repeat it. But what I’ve discovered is that, here in the US, that’s not always easy to do. That’s not to say that America doesn’t honor its past, but more that it’s not necessarily front and center. When I visited Ireland and the UK, one of the things that struck me over and over was how people there live side by side with history. I visited a ruined priory in Ireland that was literally in the middle of a residential neighborhood. While I’m sure that for some people, this isn’t something desirable, personally I find it fascinating.
In the spirit of exploration, here are some ideas for how to connect with your local history:
- Visit your local library: Many libraries have archives of local newspapers and books on local history. This is always a great place to start if you’re curious.
- Guidebooks focusing on your state/area: Guidebook series such as Rick Steve’s or Lonely Planet will often highlight places of historical significance.
- See if there’s a local historical society: People with a passion for local history can be found preserving that history and recording the stories of longtime residents.
- Go to museums: Much like the historical societies, museums preserve not only artifacts from our past, but the stories of the people and their lives.
- Visit a state park: Here in California, there are several parks dedicated to a specific time period or historical figure, and I’m sure the same is true in every state.
There are many opportunities for you to learn about the place where you live, and I encourage you to take some time to explore.