It may vary where you live, but many places around the globe are heading back into a lockdown of some sort. (Or you are very possibly already in a lockdown.) If you are an outdoorsy person in the Northern hemisphere, you may have gotten used to spending time outside in the summer. Well, with winter slowly on the way, that’s less possible for many of us. So, how can you take advantage of it? Today I’m exploring different ways that you can #HistoryFromHome in lock down, and make the most of it.
I need to start by saying- life can be incredibly difficult, even without a lock down. This post is in no way suggesting that you need to accomplish a checklist of items during lock down “to be successful” or anything of that nature. If just getting up every day is your accomplishment, that should be celebrated, too. However, if you do want to use some of your time in lock down to take a journey to the past, I am here to help!
1) Organise Your To-Read List
Whether it is a digital to-read list or a physical pile of books, nearly all of us historians are out of control. It is just so easy to add another book to your list or buy another one from a charity sale. It is well-intentioned and we all plan to read them, but alas, you end up like me with a 1200 book to-read list to sort through. So go through your lists and piles of books, and do a cull. If it is on Goodreads or another tracking site, don’t worry- you can find it again. And if it is a physical book, give it to someone else who would enjoy it. Having too many choices is overwhelming in and of itself- help yourself and organise your to-read pile!
2) Read Your Books
This very well may be easier said than done. While reading is the perfect escape for me, I know that many people struggle to hold their attention on a book past a page, or even to pick it up. If you are in the mood to read, now is the time to read the books that you do have! I have been reading some lighter books, but I’ve also tried to diversify and read in different areas of history that I don’t normally. Given that the colder weather is quickly approaching (or here for some of us), now is the time to curl up with a waiting history book and enjoy.
3) “Attend” Seminars and Talks
I was worried that these would drop off as lock down eased in different places, but thankfully online seminars and talks are still happening. Some fields are better than others for online talks, but many different organisations and groups are offering free online talks. Historic Royal Palaces have started up their talks again (donation suggested but not required), on several different topics. The National Arts Club has regularly hosted talks since lock down began in the spring, on numerous topics, including many fashion history topics. Many publishers have also been hosting talks with authors when books publish, which is a wonderful way to connect with historians and authors. My only tip is to double check the time of when it is happening, to make sure you’ve got it right in your own time zone.
4) “Visit” Online Exhibitions + Donate
Most museums have restricted visitor numbers right now, if they are open. And many museums have had to reduce hours and cut staff altogether in an attempt to balance their budget with no income. If you can, spend some time enjoying online exhibitions and make a donation to the museum afterwards. I understand that “visiting” an online exhibition is a very different experience than visiting an in-person exhibition, but it is better than nothing. Everyone has different budgets, so not everyone may be able to afford a donation. If you can though, it can make a real difference to struggling museums. And it may convince them to host more online exhibitions! (I’ve seen more exhibitions in 2020 than the last five years of my life combined. Small victories!)
Find my listing of online fashion history exhibitions here!
5) Connect with Other Historians Online
If 2020 has taught us nothing else, it’s that you should reach out and make connections however you can. Countless amazing historians are online- you can find them on Twitter, on Instagram, on their own websites. Don’t be afraid to reach out with them if you have questions, or even want to tell them that you admire their work. I’ve made some wonderful connections through chatting online with different historians, and I’ve been able to ask for a good deal of advice. One key thing to remember though is that they may not have time to carry on a full conversation, or even respond (depending on who they are). Many are teaching in what might be the most difficult year in modern memory, not to mention their own research, and everything in their personal lives. (Don’t take it personally!)
I’m going to plug #HistoriansOnTheLoose here– use the hashtag on Instagram when sharing your historical adventures to be featured.
How are you planning to #HistoryFromHome in lock down, this time around?
Cheers,
The Historian
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