I've been really fascinated trawling through my local 'past and present' page on Facebook and thought it might be fun to get Ruby out on a bit of a history hunt.
I printed off some old photos - search on Facebook to see if you have a local page, or check out the local history section of your library - failing that you can do a Google image search for historic photos of where you live.
Armed with a clipboard; camera; suncream and some emergency snacks, we headed out.
It was great fun searching out the photo locations, using local knowledge, a print of an old map and the modern day map app on my phone. We married up features to check we were in the right places, then chatted about the differences and the changes over the years.
Ruby noticed how there were hardly any cars about in the 'olden days', compared to now. We also noted how there are lots more houses, and they are much closer together. She learnt how to pick out architectural features in houses to cross check them with our old pictures - she noticed how windows generally remained the same (or at least in the same places), chimneys were often recognisable even if properties had been extended, whereas front door-ways, fences and gardens had often changed.
Of course, the town's war memorial hasn't changed (but for having World War II's fallen locals added), but the surroundings are barely recognisable.
The one she found most interesting was a picture of a horse and plough in the middle of a cornfield - standing slap bang exactly where her school stands today.
It was a fascinating day, we learnt a lot about our town and it's history, had a lot of fun; fresh air; plenty of exercise (turns out we were walking around for 4 hours) and best of all it was totally free!
There was something oddly comforting, yet humbling standing taking photos in the exact same spot that someone else had all those years before.
I love love love this activity! What a great idea!!!! So want to do this with my kids!
ReplyDeleteThanks Maggy, your two would love it I think x
DeleteThat is absolutely fascinating! I must do this with my children, we live in a historic village although our house is on a new estate. I know that there was an old mill very close to where we live, it would be lovely to find some pictures of it and work out where it was. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jennifer. Oh you should, I bet you'd be amazed what used to be on the land where your house is x
DeleteLove this! Sounds like you had a fab day! I did something similar a couple of years ago when my Nan announced her father was born in the town I had moved too. It was fascinating to see how things had changed or stayed the same! I managed to find the house he was born in (still standing) and see the area where he would of worked. I also managed to find the war memorial tree for his brother!
ReplyDeleteI love things like this!
Oh wow, that's really fascinating! I'd love to do that. It's got us all inspired and I think I might check out the census records and chart all the people who lived in our house.
DeleteAfter visiting the war memorial, I found that you can look all the inscriptions up online, and suddenly they're not just names on a plaque, but young men, sons, husbands who lived in streets nearby. It's brought history to life for us! x
A lovely idea and educational too. I love the old pictures. A great end of holifay idea to get back into the swing of learning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Fiona, it was a lovely way to spend time together.
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea!! I really love this, going to have to do this some time with my two. just got to find some old pictures now :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina. I found loads on the internet, and some in some history books at the local library. Hope you give it a try x
DeleteWhat a lovely idea, I'm going to do this with my eldest. Pinning it now!! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! x
DeleteWhat a wonderful idea. Living in Bath makes it easy to organise
ReplyDeleteOooh Bath would be fabulous to explore this way x
DeleteI'm joining the chorus - this is such a wonderful idea and project for the kids! Fun for them while they learn in a real way how things have changed over time.
ReplyDeleteAhh thank you Kriss x
DeleteI'll join in too - what a fantastic idea! Love it! #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteHaha thank you Sara x
DeleteWhat a lovely post, love the juxtaposition of the old and new photos. Looks like both you and Ruby got a lot from the activity. My mum used to tell us a lot of local history when we went out walking as kids, but she was brought up in the town we lived in - but people move around so much now as mums we don't necessarily know the history of the places we live in, so your activity is a great one for both young and old.
ReplyDeleteThank you Molly. Yes, this isn't the town I grew up in so it was interesting for me to learn too. x
DeleteWhat an absolutely fabulous idea. I sometimes chat with the pensioners as I wait for the bus to go into town, many of whom have lived in the same house 50 years or more, and have seen all the changes taking place in the neighbourhood. My girl finds it really interesting too. And this sort of thing would really bring it to life for her. Fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteThank you Carin. She was really fascinated to hear her school and playing fields used to be a farm, and seeing the pictures made it easy for her to visualise.
DeleteWhat a fantastic idea! I'd love to give that a go where I live :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Leila, hope you have a go x
Deletewhat a great idea Lizzy! need to o it fir my eldest too! so inventive.
ReplyDeleteVisiting via the Parenting pin-it party and have pinned your post in my parenting board x
Thank you Otilia x
DeleteThis is such a fabulous idea. So going to do this with my little man. Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDelete**love** this idea. Thanks for joining in the parenting pin it party
ReplyDeletei really like this idea Liz x
ReplyDelete