In-Home Reenactor’s Guide Sparks New Thanksgiving Fire
Lebanon, Oregon – Home educator and history enthusiast Carrie Franzwa is releasing the first at-home guide for re-introducing historic authenticity to Thanksgiving. The unique guide is titled “How to Re-create an Authentic 1621 Thanksgiving,” and offers an eye-opening look at the historical foundations of our national holiday, and challenges Americans to change their traditions for a more accurate remembrance.
“All Americans who are grateful for this country want to know our real history,” said Franzwa. “Unfortunately, modern comforts, and die-hard Thanksgiving stereotypes have deceived us so completely, we’re not even aware that we’re not aware.”
Franzwa hopes the guide will prompt a change to this common condition by providing American families with fun, historically accurate holiday alternatives.
While the guide does not cover the details of the Mayflower crossing in 1620, it does reveal practical survival skills that would have been in use within the first year of the Mayflower’s anchoring at Cape Cod. Old-world cooking methods, indigenous food sources, and cultural influences of the time period are among the things explained in enough detail that readers can re-create their own historically authentic experiences.
According to Franzwa the process of incorporating authentic changes doesn‘t need to be extensive to be effective. “Even one or two small changes can rouse amazing dinner conversations, and contribute substantially to a household’s cultural awareness” she said.
While the historical information in the guide is down to earth, the re-creation and experiencing of it at home is often very amusing. “You can’t help having a great time as a family if you decide to incorporate things like authentic grape stomping for juice. It definitely brings life and laughter to your Thanksgiving festivities,” said Franzwa.
The guide also addresses culturally difficult interracial issues surrounding Thanksgiving, including the early influences of the slave trade upon the opening scenes of our nation’s history. Franzwa maintains that it is not only historically accurate to give focus to these issues, but that it is culturally responsible to listen to the voices of those who are rightly offended today that these points of history are overlooked.
One very positive social influence that Franzwa anticipates from the guide is a greater appreciation of United States history by teenagers who typically find history boring. She maintains that turning Thanksgiving into a living history event at home, even in part, is conducive to passive learning. “Trust me,” said Franzwa, “If you’ll incorporate a few curious sights and activities, you’re guaranteed to spark an inquisitive fire in the hearts of your kids, not to mention the adults in the family.”
The 50 page Thanksgiving authentication e-book costs $7.95, and is available for immediate download through Franzwa’s history club website, www.letsplayhistory.org . For more information about Carrie Franzwa, the guide, or the Lets Play History national history club, visit the Lets Play History blog at www.letsplayhistory.org/3squaresaday/ .
