Does History matter?

Each morning as Haven, my three-year-old German Shepherd, and I take our daily walk, I rarely notice the significant value of an almost hundred-year-old neighborhood located in historic downtown Wilmington, NC.  There are plaques explaining the historic importance on some of the houses I pass by, but being surrounded by these historic monuments, I’ve become blind to them.  Why is that?

I’ve been fortunate to travel to Italy, Spain and England in the past twelve month.  The one thing that really stood out was the innate appreciation for art.  The art of history, the art of living life and especially the art of connection with heritage.   I was amazed to visit places that were preserved for centuries, because the culture appreciated where they came from even if it was harsh and violent. 

Is it that America is to young to appreciate the art of history, the art of living and especially the art of knowing our heritage?  Are we just to young to realize the struggles and sacrifices it took to establish this country?

My hometown also struggles with preserving history vs. capitalism.  We recently demolished a 1920’s baby hospital to install four story townhouses near Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina.  I’m not sure if this is right or wrong.  Yet, history was once again trumped by the new and better money making adventure.  I believe each community in America struggles with a balance of restoring vs. rebuilding. 

This week in America was a historic moment.  It got little press on the nightly news, it was a small wave of interest on social media and no one paused long enough to recognize the extraordinary impact that had occurred.  To embrace authenticity, I’m not sure I would have paused if it weren’t for eight months of research about the individuals discovered.

Why is it that we Americans have little interest in how our country was founded?  The sacrifice that it took, the lives that were lost and the uncertainty of building a new and better world full of the unknown.  I think the four individual identified this week were a few of the visionaries that make American what it is today.  These individuals were Rev. Robert Hunt, Capt. Gabriel Archer, Sir Ferdinado Wainman and Capt. William West.  Do you recognize the names?  Don’t feel bad, not many people would know these quiet souls that crated the first permanent settlement over 400 years ago known as Jamestown.

Here is a link to read about the men and the exciting discovery of our 400-year history.  I hope you take the time to learn about it.

http://wydaily.com/2015/07/28/local-news-jamestown-archaeologists-find-graves-of-four-english-founders-of-america/

The individuals that give their lives to preserving history, I salute you.

Dr. James Horn, Dr. William Kelso, Dr. Douglas Owsley and the Jamestown Recovery Crew. 

So, Does History Matter?  Absolutely! 

We must continue to preserve our history so that one day, centuries from this moment, we too can show the world that we were discovered by men and women that risked everything for a new beginning.

So, how do we support our history, our heritage?  I’m going to donate a few dollars to the Jamestown Recovery Crew to keep discovering.  Here is a link is you would like to donate, too:

http://historicjamestowne.org/support/

Together we can preserve American history.