Wondering Weekend #3
Have you ever wanted to live in the past? Have you ever truly wondered what life was like in ancient times, when America had never seen an English man, or when America consisted of the 13 colonies? Even though we can’t actually time travel, we have history all around us. It’s there whether you realize it or not. I, for one, did not realize how truly historical my little town in New England was when I was younger. Now I embrace it and want to share it with everyone. Let me bring you to Lunenburg, Massachusetts:
Walking my dogs with my parents as a little girl, I would walk by huge amounts of history. Big, white houses with real shutters, stones in the driveways where a horse could be tied, and stone walls in the woods and on the side of the road have always been normal scenes to me. Growing up in Lunenburg, I took for granted all the history around me for a long time. Whether it was buildings from the 18th or 19th centuries, I always just thought of them as regular places. Even the drive in and amusement park that are now closed were some things I never realized the history of. Lunenburg to me, was home. Is home. Will always be home.
As I grew older I started to realize and appreciate history. After field trips to the USS Constitution, Old Sturbridge Village, and Plymouth Plantation in middle school, I began to comprehend the rich history of Massachusetts, Boston, and even little Lunenburg. I learned that the strange triangle of rock wall in the center of town was actually a town pound used in colonial times. I noticed the war memorial erected on Memorial Day of 1949 and the architecture of the old houses and churches. I would go to the grave yard and read old graves. I would actually wonder what life was like in such a place in 1830. I would read the plaques stating the year old houses were built. I would walk in the woods and wonder if more animals lived there in times past. Realization of Lunenburg’s history became something of appreciation in my mind.
Having a true appreciation of history, I was overjoyed when I found out there were actually laws protecting some of my favorite things. It is illegal to pull down or take a piece of stone walls in Massachusetts, which were used in colonial times as land markers. I love those stone walls! I was also happy to hear that the local historical society has strict rules on what you can and cannot do to certain houses they control. These wonderful rules make it so I can enjoy, experience, and share Lunenburg’s history. I am so thankful that I can truly see history and don’t have to wonder.
In the end, I am proud of little Lunenburg. Before I knew it, I was a part of history. As I grew older, I was able to appreciate it. The laws protecting Lunenburg’s history are something I am thankful for. History has infected me with its wonder and I hope you always try to protect history. History is a part of who we are, and will always be there no matter what.
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