Living in the past

I arrive at the American Village seeking to find 35 handcrafted dioramas (miniatures) carving out the most prominent parts of our American history. Entering the lobby, I learn there is much more to this location than what I was seeking. I am handed a schedule of today's events. I hurry off to the first reenactment scheduled - preparing for a military response to the rejection of the British Crown - American Revolution.

Local students arrive and are immediately recruited to the battlefield.  The newly appointed commanders quickly teach how to march unitarily with freshly loaded flint locked muskets resting on their shoulders.  They boldly march, shouting words demanding independence to the enemy - the Brits.  

I continue stepping in our early history exploring such landmarks as Washington Hall. I enter the Executive Office of the President. I smile, finding myself sitting at one of the most important and influential desks in the world - the President of the United States desk. These replica sites offer me a personal history lesson of our country. Hours later I return to my original intent - seeking to find 35 handcrafted dioramas carving out the most prominent parts of our American history.

I stop at each miniature admiring the detailed craftsmanship. It is amazing the human figures are only inches tall.  This 'small' historic journey takes me from Christopher Columbus to the Space Race.  An amazingly 'large' experience for me.

In the 1960's, Pettus Randall of the Randall Publishing Company, wanted to offer small town America a traveling history museum.  Today, each of the original 35 are on display and set up for a chronological walk through of our 400 years of history.

My last stop is entering the National Veterans Shrine. A beautiful collection of art, sculptures and photos honoring all who offered their services and sacrifice for our country - the United States of America. Today is a day I will cherish, as it was a day of reminding me of who we are as Americans.