homeplace
The second trip that we made as a class was to Homeplace 1850. This is a museum experience that provides visitors with an accurate representation of what it would have been like to live on a farm in Kentucky in 1850. This museum is part of the park service. This particular field trip was my personal favorite. Again, due to time constraints, our visit was shorter than desired, but it still provided an opportunity to experience this type of museum.
Before a visitor enters the Homeplace farm, they must first pass through the interpretive center. This area is where the visitor is able to view a short film providing background information on the farm, as well as an explanation of the purpose and activities of Homeplace. The film is well put together. It shows visitors still pictures taken of Homeplace to give them an idea of what to expect when they enter the farm. It has a good running time, and moves on from one set of pictures to the next in a steady, brisk pace. Also located in the information center is the gift shop, where visitors can purchase goods comparable to what may have been available in the period of the mid 19th century, as well as a few more modern goods. The information desk also has various brochures available in the case that visitors are interested in anything else happening in the Land Between the Lakes area.
Upon leaving the information center, the visitor walks down a gravel path to the farm. It is outfitted with a well disguised hard surface for handicapped visitors. The only unfortunate thing about this path is that it ends at the end of the road, and visitors confined to wheelchairs are restricted to viewing the farm from afar, unable to visit individual buildings. An interesting thing about this path is that it goes around a slight bend, and cleverly hides the information center from view.
Once the visitor has entered into the world of the farm, they see no evidence of the outside modern world. Employees are outfitted with costumes to accurately portray the clothing of the period. Their jobs are to run the farm and complete the tasks in the way that the original owners would have done. Aside from performing various farm maintenance and jobs such as cooking, taking care of the garden, and looking after animals, the duty of the employee is to be able to answer questions that visitors may have. Some of the workers hold degrees in history, but it seems that most do not. However, they are still very knowledgeable about the farm.
While the farm is smaller than it was originally, it still gives visitors a good scope of the historical context. The buildings are original, as well as some furniture. Some, however, has been made by employees. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, as there are no signs detailing what various things are. When the visitor first enters the information center, they are provided with a map of the farm, which details what buildings are used for, and explains, among other things, that all the livestock represents breeds that would have been “found on a mid-19th century farm”. The produce planted is also representative of the mid-19th century, and things out of the time period are not represented.
Overall, I find Homeplace 1850 to be a well designed living history museum. With a well educated staff, accurate representation of produce and livestock, and an accurate and actual portrayal of buildings and layout, Homeplace is appealing to the senses as well as the mind. It has a peaceful atmosphere, and the staff is more than willing to answer any questions that visitors might have.
Before a visitor enters the Homeplace farm, they must first pass through the interpretive center. This area is where the visitor is able to view a short film providing background information on the farm, as well as an explanation of the purpose and activities of Homeplace. The film is well put together. It shows visitors still pictures taken of Homeplace to give them an idea of what to expect when they enter the farm. It has a good running time, and moves on from one set of pictures to the next in a steady, brisk pace. Also located in the information center is the gift shop, where visitors can purchase goods comparable to what may have been available in the period of the mid 19th century, as well as a few more modern goods. The information desk also has various brochures available in the case that visitors are interested in anything else happening in the Land Between the Lakes area.
Upon leaving the information center, the visitor walks down a gravel path to the farm. It is outfitted with a well disguised hard surface for handicapped visitors. The only unfortunate thing about this path is that it ends at the end of the road, and visitors confined to wheelchairs are restricted to viewing the farm from afar, unable to visit individual buildings. An interesting thing about this path is that it goes around a slight bend, and cleverly hides the information center from view.
Once the visitor has entered into the world of the farm, they see no evidence of the outside modern world. Employees are outfitted with costumes to accurately portray the clothing of the period. Their jobs are to run the farm and complete the tasks in the way that the original owners would have done. Aside from performing various farm maintenance and jobs such as cooking, taking care of the garden, and looking after animals, the duty of the employee is to be able to answer questions that visitors may have. Some of the workers hold degrees in history, but it seems that most do not. However, they are still very knowledgeable about the farm.
While the farm is smaller than it was originally, it still gives visitors a good scope of the historical context. The buildings are original, as well as some furniture. Some, however, has been made by employees. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions, as there are no signs detailing what various things are. When the visitor first enters the information center, they are provided with a map of the farm, which details what buildings are used for, and explains, among other things, that all the livestock represents breeds that would have been “found on a mid-19th century farm”. The produce planted is also representative of the mid-19th century, and things out of the time period are not represented.
Overall, I find Homeplace 1850 to be a well designed living history museum. With a well educated staff, accurate representation of produce and livestock, and an accurate and actual portrayal of buildings and layout, Homeplace is appealing to the senses as well as the mind. It has a peaceful atmosphere, and the staff is more than willing to answer any questions that visitors might have.