History From Afar: Intro

I know I seem to repeat this over and over, but today another new series premieres on the blog. Obviously, I cover a few different topics on the blog, but history dominates largely. You will find royal history, literary history, ballet history, and more here. However, it can be a bit of a struggle for me. I live in the middle of Canada, not exactly a hotspot for any sites, exhibitions, or archives related to any of these topics. So over the years, I’ve gotten creative with ways to enjoy, engage with, and take in the history I am interested in. Welcome to History From Afar, where I share the different ways to enjoy the history you love, no matter where you are! 

Living in the Middle of Nowhere Sucks 

This is not a personality trait that I am proud of in any way, but I spend a lot of time being jealous of people living in other places. Canada is a massive country and travel is horrendously expensive. I live in Winnipeg, in the middle of Canada- a round-trip flight to Toronto will usually cost around $800-1000 with 8+ weeks of planning. And that is if you and your luggage even make it there now. (Driving to Toronto for the weekend is not a possibility, either- the best case scenario is 24 hours of driving time, not counting sleeping, breaks, gas, etc.) 

I still find it very difficult to follow people in the UK, in New York or Toronto, or in Europe, as they have much more access to the cultural and historical sites and events that I am interested in. With a two-hour train ride, they can be walking through countless museums or watching whatever performances they want. And it isn’t monetarily debilitating for them to do so. Why did I happen to be born here?

However, you cannot spend your life wishing you had someone else’s. It is our own responsibility to build a life we enjoy. 

Free vs Paid Events and Services

I will be covering several different ways for you to enjoy the history you love no matter where you are. However, I will be upfront- some of these are free, and some require purchases. It will be very clear in each post which are free and which cost (and what they cost when I purchased), so you will be able to decide for yourself. I understand that everyone has different budgets and financial obligations to work with, so hopefully, there is something for everyone. 

Who Is This Series For?

The obvious answer is anyone reading this- anyone is more than welcome to follow along! Even people living in “cultural capitals” can find new ways to enjoy history and culture through this series. 

However, I have created this series with people like me in mind. Perhaps you are not able to travel, or can only afford to travel once or twice a decade. (I know it is not glamorous, but it is the reality for a lot of us.) Or perhaps you have a difficult schedule that makes it hard to get out to things. There are an infinite number of reasons why simply popping ‘round to Windsor Castle may not be possible for you, and they are all our realities.

What history is included? 

The majority of the history I study is based in the UK and Europe, so that is much of what I know. However, many of the resources I will be recommending are not limited to western history. I will do my best to ensure that they are not hyper-limited, but if they are, I will highlight that and try to find alternatives to recommend. 

Topics Will Include: 

For each of the following topics, I will share my hidden tips and tricks for making the most of these services, in addition to paid and free options! Over the years, I have learned how to maximise my returns and use things to my advantage. (And still support the institutions that provide these services! This is not the series for you to learn how to cheat museums out of funds or anything like that.) 

-Memberships

-Tours 

-Courses 

-Screenings

-ARCs

I hope you enjoy this History From Afar series- and if you have any questions or requests, please leave a comment or email me! 

Cheers,
The Historian
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