Bringing the Past into the Present

History is the foundation which we stand on today. The actions and decisions made by our ancestors, shape who we are and where we are in the here and now. The slightest deviation, change in plans, decision to go left instead of right, saying yes instead of no, could have produced a very different outcome. But to many history is in the past, most likely forgotten and rarely appreciated. They don’t realize that the past is the roadmap that leads us to the present and helps us to plan the journey ahead that takes us into the future.

History was that big, thick, heavy textbook we had to schlep to school every day.  American History. World History. Ancient History. Why?! Pages filled with what seemed like a gazillion words of dates and names and facts that we would never need when we grew up. Why did we need to fill our young, little brains with all that useless information? And it was so BORING! Well, except maybe for that class trip to Williamsburg where people were dressed in period clothing and talked to us about what life was like 300 years ago. And then there was the family vacation to Rome, walking amongst the ruins. Touching structures that were thousands of years old. Suddenly, those gazillion words started to make sense. History was no longer just ink on a flat page in that big, thick, heavy textbook. History became three dimensional. Touchable. Interesting. Real. Alive.

All around the World groups of people gather to bring history to life. They dress in period clothing. They demonstrate daily life as it was decades, centuries and even millennia ago. They re-enact battles and events which shaped the history of their country and of the World. They reincarnate persons who contributed to the advancement of medicine, technology and society. There are places that recreate life as it was. In 1891, Sweden opened their first open air-museum at Skansen to show what life was like before the industrial era. Now the word “skansen” is used to refer to open-air museums. In Poland, a skansen in Biskupin is an archeological site dating back to the 8^th century BC with a life size model of a late Bronze Age settlement. In the United States we have such places as Yorktown, Sturbridge, Gettysburg and many others. These places and the people who maintain them, keep history alive and make it real for all generations. They are a place where children can come and experience history in a way, they never could by just reading about dates and facts in a textbook.

Our organization, Polish Living History, Inc.  was established to promote and educate about Polish history and Poland’s contributions to America and the World.  Poland is a country with a long history, rich in tradition and culture. Its history and contributions extend beyond its borders and is intertwined with so many other countries, including America. The first Polish immigrants arrived in Jamestown in 1608 aboard the ship Mary & Margaret. They were workers brought over because of their special skills and for what they could contribute to the New World. The first permanent Polish settlement was in Panna Maria Texas in 1854. After a three-month journey by sea and land, 150 Polish immigrants arrived on December 24^th. Father Leopold Moczygemba, who led the group, said Christmas Eve Mass for them under an oak tree which still stands today. Generals Kazimierz Pulaski and Tadeusz Kosciuszko lent their skills and expertise during the American Revolution. Kosciuszko, a military engineer, designed the defenses of West Point. Generations of Polish immigrants have settled and put down roots in this country, contributing to its growth and enriching American history.

Polish Living History, Inc. is comprised of several small living history groups which share a common passion for Polish History. Some members are from Poland, some have Polish roots, and some have no connection to Poland whatsoever except for their love of history and the country. In recent years, we have come across other individuals and small groups scattered throughout the USA who share this same passion. Our goal is to bring these re-enactors together under one umbrella. To create a resource for sharing information, experiences and to support each other as we educate and preserve our Polish heritage and show that history is very relevant in our lives today. It shapes who we are and why we are here.

Through the organization of living history events and exhibits, we bring the past into the present. Our members visit schools and present a living history lesson to the students. The children have the opportunity to see and interact with historical figures, try on armor and even have a photo taken with the king and queen. It brings history to life for them, making it much more interesting and memorable.

Polish Living History, Inc. hosts several different events throughout the year. “Poland Through the Ages: A Living History Faire” is our annual event held Memorial Day Weekend. This two-day event brings many of our living history groups together representing several time periods in Polish history. We have the 10^th century Slavs (Polish Vikings – yes, Vikings!); 17^th century nobility, including the winged hussars; early Polish-American pioneers of the 19^th century and a group representing the armed forces of WWII. The participants travel from different parts of the USA. They bring horses and military vehicles, cannons, household items, musical instruments, period costumes and more. They cook on campfires. They walk and talk and live the time period they represent. As visitors walk through the camps, they are transported back in time. History comes alive. All their senses take part in the experience – sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. For children (and adults) there is no better way to learn. What was boring in class suddenly becomes interesting and real. They become like sponges, absorbing information, asking questions and experiencing history in a way they never did before.

Living history groups take that big, thick, heavy textbook and bring it to life — bringing the past into the present!

Author: Helena Masiorski

© 2023, Polish Living History Inc.