Andrea/Cara here, musing today about objects. Allow me to explain . . . The other day I was rooting through my shelves looking for a reference book when I stopped to thumb through a completely different book. (This happens a lot to me!) The History of the World in 100 Objects, is a great favorite of mine. Written by the head of the British Museum, it’s a delightful and fascinating look at how individual objects, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, tell such grand stories, and can be such a powerful way to bring history alive.
As I turned the pages, I got to thinking more about the subject. Object-based learning has become a trend in education. It’s seen as a way to connect and engage students to the subject matter in ways that transcend words on a page. Seeing and touching are elemental parts of our perception, and trigger different reactions. Abstract ideas can suddenly become more visceral—touching Jane Austen’s laptop desk can send a shiver down the spine as the opening line of Pride and Prejudice echoes in your head!
I 
’m a great believer in object-based learning. When I look at my own experiences, I know that specific things have made a huge impact on me. I remember squeezing through the crowd at the Smithsonian to get my first glimpse of the Hope Diamond. Now, I’m not all that into “bling” but it suddenly took my breath away as I started thinking about Marie Antoinette having worn it—OMG, this stone actually touched her skin—and then supposedly passed to the Prince Regent . . . It was no longer just an inanimate object, but a spark to the imagination. People and events come alive, reminding us that history is flesh and blood and passions
Okay—granted, I tend to get excited about a lot of things I see in museums, but I found it fun to sit back and start making a list about some of the things that really touched me. It’s a very eclectic list, and I can’t always explain why certain things struck me so powerfully. During a trip to Denver I was in Brown’s Hotel and noticed a display case holding Napoleon’s dueling pistols. Maybe it was because it was so unexpected, but I was totally blown away! Austerlitz, Borodino, Waterloo. I swear, I could almost smell a whiff of gunpowder in the air. (No doubt they thought I was very odd for all the time I stood there just staring at them.)
Another favorite of mine is the key to Bastille that hangs on the wall of George Washington’s house at Mount Vernon. It was a gift from the Marquise de Lafayette, who said that it seemed a perfect match for the Father of Liberty to have such a symbol of freedom. (I love that Washington was so moved by it that he designed the case to hold it.) When you think of all the people who were imprisoned there and all the history that took place within those grim walls . . . Yes, more goosebumps!
Then there’s the lantern that hung in Old North Church in Boston to signal that the British troops were on the move to Lexington and Concord. (I’m sure many of you remember the lines from Longfellow's famous poem on Paul Revere's ride: One if by land and two if by sea . . .) It’s a lovely piece of craftsmanship in itself, but given its significance in American history, one can almost see it glowing with that long-ago flame. Adding to the list, I also found Thoreau’s simple quill pen very moving.
And getting back to the Napoleonic Wars, Admiral Nelson dress uniform coat—complete with the hole made by the bullet that killed him—was very moving. Aside from all the other emotions it stirred, it brought home how small a man he was, which made him that much more human.
Now that I’ve started I could go on and on. Peter the Great’s long boots in the Kremlin Armoury museum were quite amazing. (He was 6’7” so you can imagine how impressive they are.) I had just finished college when I saw them, and had studied a lot of Russian history. So again, it made him come alive . . .
But rather than rattle on, I’d love to hear what historical objects have made a lasting impact on you! Do you have some favorites that really made a person or event or era come alive? Please share!
