1) Oh, I am amazed at many of the licensed guides who take visitors across the Gettysburg Battlefield. Where the blue and the grey entered, shifted positions, camped and fought over the three days is really too much for 14 year olds, or anyone, seeing it all for the first time. But the tricks the guides use to pull students in are great. And may possibly get them interested in map studies later when they return home.
One tool I love observing is having students form a single rank or line for Pickett’s Charge. They number off one through four and then charge across the battle field. When the guide calls their number they all fall dead or wounded into the grass. What a great engaging lesson in how horrible it all was.
Another quick exercise I was taught is lining the kids heel to toe up against the short wall at the Mount Vernon Slave Memorial. I am amazed at the number of parents who take part. While they stand there in the same close proximity of slaves in the hull of a ship they get a quick lesson in single packing of slaves on the ships and life before capture, during transfer and as slaves. There is no problem holding one hundred percent of their attention. Being enslaved for three or four minutes is quite enough.
2) I have lived on and off in Norfolk, VA, since January of 1970. Yet for a long time I was more uncomfortable doing guide work here than anywhere. I think it is because much of the local lore I heard over the years and attempting to sort truth from legend. For such a history rich city there is little community activity here in presenting it for visitors. Once you arrive here you are packed on a bus and taken to the navy base. Over the years of guiding I now have a much better feel and a sense of pride for the city and my historic neighborhood. Linking historical events here to other more famous happenings elsewhere has been a good avenue for me. I have discussed tour possibilites here with my congressman. Tourism is not on his hot list these days.
Darrell