Independence, which is a short distance from Kansas City, is a rather fascinating place. Not only is it home to the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, it also has a Mormon Visitors Center, which highlights the Mormons' time in Independence, and the Temple of the Mormon breakaway group, the Community of Christ. It is one of those places Chambers of Commerce and tour books describe as "historic." You know, "Visit Historic Independence, MO!"
It is true, there are many historic sites to visit in Independence, but that term has always bothered me. For every place, every location, is loaded with history! Presidential history? No, not usually. Major events in religious history? Not as a general rule. But every place has political leaders; every place has its religious story. And far more than that! For every place has people with rich and varied backgrounds. Every place has families--and some of them stretch back in time for generations! There is history to be discovered in every backyard, at every intersection, in each church and synagogue and mosque and city or town hall.
My mother has devoted many, many hours to the preservation of history in her own county in Kentucky. It is a small place, with a few brief encounters with better know events and people. Daniel Boone made his way through the county seat when it was still a forest. The first shots fired in the Civil War in Kentucky were shot off in her county. But for the most part, it is a quiet, and somewhat remote spot. But the little museum where she has spent so much time is full of artifacts and stories of everyday folks doing everyday things! Everyday folks making history!
So what are you contributing to history today? You don't have to be a Mormon or Harry Truman or even Daniel Boone to add to history--simply by living you are doing that every single day!
(Photo: Harry S. Truman Gravesite, Independence, MO)
No comments:
Post a Comment