History more than textbooks

Nestled in the rolling hills of Rockville is a small Civil War museum dedicated to the preservation of history. Hidden treasures like the New England Civil War Museum scatter the hills of eastern Connecticut.

Growing up through grade school, students believe history is a collection of dates and events that can be regurgitated as fact. In reality, history is much more. History is a story well told. History does not have to be a 700-page story nor even a textbook story. For people looking for history, the best stories are the small stories.

The greatest stories of history are the stories of individuals. The history of civilizations is a history of individuals - average, everyday people whose names are not immortalized in any textbook. It is for this exact reason the Vietnam Memorial immortalizes the names of individuals - names that remain unknown until viewed. Yet, each of these names has a story and each deserves the respect of the nation.

Gigantic museums that drew hundreds of visitors through the door each day make history accessible. However, the small and sometimes hidden museums of eastern Connecticut do more than make history accessible - they bring history to life.

Perhaps the history of the Civil War is a story of Abraham Lincoln and Robert E. Lee. Perhaps its history is told through battles like Gettysburg and Antietam. Maybe the history is one of casualties and slavery.

Unfortunately, thinking of history in such broad terms is a great disservice to the individual stories behind the bigger picture.

The New England Civil War Museum is a historic treasure and entirely run by volunteers. The museum contains collections of Civil War artifacts and relics from the local community, in addition to volumes of printed materials detailing the activities of veterans after they returned from the war.

The museum is proof that individual stories are the best history. When arriving at the museum, a large brick and sandstone building dating back to the 19th century will greet visitors. After walking up a grand staircase, visitors proceed to a grand hall housing relics and documents. The original condition of the hall and magnificent stained glass windows make everything seem grandiose. However, only by looking closer will the lessons of history emerge to the observer.

In one glass case are the relics of Col. Thomas F. Burpee. Burpee was a local soldier from the Rockville-Vernon area who quickly rose through the ranks to become a great leader. He was well respected among his men and admired by his peers.

In the case are photographs from his enlistment, many of his war papers, a bloodstained sash and the bullet that killed him. As Burpee bravely led his men into battle on that fateful day, he was mortally wounded. His relics tell the story of a young man whose life was cut short - an individual story that is not recorded in a textbook.

Certainly, Burpee did not bend history but he made history. His story will never have as much power as the stories of General Grant leading his men into battle. Nevertheless, Burpee's work was no less important than that of Grant. To his men, he was a hero. Although the world may little note nor long remember Thomas Burpee, his story is real and inspiring.

Continuing around the museum will take visitors to the Hirst brothers' collection. Benjamin, John and Joseph Hirst were three brothers who enlisted for the war together. For three long years, they would fight side by side with one brother carrying the nation's colors. Writing home to their mother and sweethearts, the brothers told a story that is preserved in the museum.

The story is one of courage and miracles. Together, the three brothers defeated the odds of death and all returned home. Their letters are emotional and their private possessions raise a sense of togetherness and solidarity. The story of the Hirst brothers is one for the history books, but yet again, their names are never printed alongside those of Grant or Lincoln.

History is made not only by the actions of great leaders, but also by the contributions of average people. Without the service of thousands of people like Burpee and the Hirst brothers, Lincoln and Grant would have no army. In reality, individuals matter. Personalities matter. Stories of average, everyday people matter.

Around eastern Connecticut, it is not hard to see the history of individuals. Small towns have small museums and historical societies dedicated to the preservation of individual stories. Unfortunately, many of these great stories remain hidden from researchers and history buffs because of the emphasis that bigger is better.

Large museums with endowed funding and access to publicity draw the crowds while small museums are left behind. Museums like the New England Civil War Museum have limited hours and are run entirely on the contributions of volunteers who have their own valuable stories. Although these hidden museums may be small, they are just as important to the story of this nation as classic staples like the Air and Space Museum or the Mark Twain House.

At places like the New England Civil War Museum, history comes alive. After visiting the museum, an appreciation for the minute and the trivial emerges. The museum challenges viewers to account for the untold and the hidden. The museum teaches a lesson that the letters of soldiers, the minutes of local veterans groups, individual war relics and the stories of individuals are the most valuable research tools. If looking for history, one should look no further than a small local museum.

When thinking of heroes, we often think of the famous. In reality, "everyday heroes" and the stories of individuals surround us all. From Thomas Burpee to our teachers and parents, everyday heroes inspire us. Everyone has a story that is waiting to be told and everyone has a story that is worthy of history. When viewing history in such a manner, we can be inspired to realize that the future is not out of control and that each of us can send forth a tiny ripple of hope, which can begin to bend history.

Sources:

http://pages.cthome.net/ne.civilwar.mus/