Race and the ties that bind at Monticello

by Jamie Rhein on

There is an article in today’s New York Times about Monticello. Not so much about Monticello, but about how the decedents of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, and Sally Hemings, Jefferson’s slave who he supposedly had children with, have come to see the house as a place that binds them together. Jefferson, however, is buried in the graveyard, but Hemings is not. No one knows where Hemings is buried. Still, Jefferson’s grave holds importance, and like many places with historic value, people aren’t allowed to go near it. It has something to do with messing up the grass.

Monticello, according to the essay, is an indication of the complexity of United States history and the relationship between the people whose lives have been affected. It has become a place where healing can take place. One of the people mentioned in the article is from Gahanna, Ohio, not far from Columbus. She is a descendant of Hemings, and thus, possibly of Jefferson. For her, Monticello is a place that fosters the idea that folks ought to learn to get along since they may be related to each other after all.

The essay brought to mind the idea that places have meaning when the people who go there understand its importance. Otherwise, one might be walking through just another fancy house with gleaming wood furniture and fine china.

Ellis Island has a birthday on January 1

by Jamie Rhein on

While I was getting the links for my post on things to do in New York City on New Year’s Day, I saw that Ellis Island is also open, plus that it’s having a birthday tomorrow. It first opened on January 1, 1892.

Friends of ours went to New York City earlier in December and did take the ferry to Liberty Island where the Statue of Liberty lifts her torch and then on to Ellis Island, but they didn’t get off the boat in either place. They missed out on what I think is one of the more interesting museums I’ve been to–and I’ve been to A LOT of museums. Sure, it’s neat to see the Statue of Liberty from up close, but if you only have time for one place, get off at Ellis Island for at least an hour or so. Plus, the museum is free. You’ve already paid for the boat ride, so why not get your money’s worth?

Ellis Island does not have the flashiest of museums, but it is steeped in American and world history and, I think, is important to the multicultural fabric of the United States–one that is good to pay tribute to. If you have kids, it’s an excellent way to teach them about who has immigrated to the U.S., when the various ethnic groups came and the various things that were happening in the world that prompted them to relocate.

My two favorite displays are the 3-D graphs that show who came and when and the section that highlights various families and the belongings they bought with them. If you do go here, take time out for the movies and the talk by the National Park ranger.

The last time we were there, my son caused a double-take. When the ranger asked, “Who here was born in another country?” and my son, then age 4 raised his hand and shouted out, “I was. I was born in India,” the ranger looked at my son’s blond hair and fair skin in confusion. “For real?” he asked.

For real. My son’s immigration story is not quite as exciting as an ocean journey from Europe, but it will provide some party talk when he gets older.

What do tourists really say about Plymouth Rock?

by Jamie Rhein on

In honor of Thanksgiving coming up, here’s an ode to Plymouth Rock–the famous bit of boulder where William Bradford stepped off the Mayflower with the other Pilgrims following close behind, all ready to start their oppression free lives. That’s worked, kind of, although not perfect yet, (just ask the people who comment on Gadling about TSA regulations)–what is perfect is the meal eaten in their honor. But, back to the rock and this charming video.

This You Tube post by Stephanie Chaisson, a project she did for The Patriot Ledger, is a series of quick interviews with people of various ages asking them: “So what do you think of Plymouth Rock anyway?” I was actually surprised by how many kids seemed to like the rock, although there was a “kinda boring” type response. I can imagine a series where you could go up to people at various tourist attractions and ask them, “So what do you think of (fill in the blank) type questions.

Johnny Depp: One Reason to Head to D.C.

by Jamie Rhein on

No, Johnny Depp, the real, living and breathing guy is not in D.C.–not that I’ve heard, but wax Johnny is. Wax Johnny is a life-size replica that recently arrived in Washington, D.C. along with his wax celebrity buddies. A new Madame Tussaud’s is opening on October 5 in the heart of the city. The original wax museum is in London. There are others in Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Las Vegas, New York and Shanghai.

I have a recollection of going to Madame Tussaud’s in New York City, but it’s a vague memory, so perhaps this was just a weird dream–not a bad dream, but seriously, why would I have been at Madame Tussaud’s in a dream?

The Washington, D.C. version has themed sections. One section, The Spirit of Washington, D.C., includes scenes of important folks and events in American history. Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus, Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s conversation with Winston Churchill during World War II, J. Edgar Hoover’s quest to find Communists and Watergate are part of it. This is not a sugar coated version of history, but focuses on its turning points.

Another section explains how the figures are made and two other sections feature sports and entertainment industry icons. Glamour is where you’d find Johnny. I’ve always said I could watch Johnny Depp just sit in a chair. This is even better. He’s standing and looking right at me.

Topaz Japanese Internment Camp Joins Others as National Historic Landmark

by Jamie Rhein on

If you’ve ever read the novel Snow Falling on Cedars or seen the movie, perhaps you remember the scenes that took place in a Japanese internment camp. I recall David Guterson’s prose about the dust and wind that whipped through the camp where one of the main characters and his family were taken during WWII. The internment camps that were set up in the United States to house 120,000 Japanese-Americans after the Pearl Harbor attack are still evident in the buildings and barbed wire that remain. Most of the buildings are gone, however.

When I read about the Topaz Internment Camp becoming a National Historic Landmark, I thought about those scenes. Because of its national historic status, what’s left of the camp will remain as a witness to this piece of American history. The dedication ceremony was on June 30 and now the camp is a museum. Here’s a news clip of the dedication day. The footage includes interviews with former detainees and historic film clips. If you click on the photo you’ll go to normaltoilet’s Flickr page where other photos and descriptions are posted. You’ll also be able to read the sign better.

Six of the other ten internment camps are designated as National Historic Landmarks as well.

The Minidoka Relocation Center in Idaho is part of the National Park System.