As you know, Bob, I work as an historic interpreter at the Farmers’ Museum in Cooperstown, NY. My choice to take up a life of explaining 19th century looms, medicines, and more to visitors came as only a mild surprise to those who already knew me. Of course I would wind up down a niche rabbit hole
I was obsessed with The Westing Game. Ob. sessed. I long ago lost count of how many times I have read it, both as a kid and an adult. It lead me to read some of Ellen Raskin’s other works, and I remember really loving The Tatooed Potato and Other Clues. It somehow felt darker, although I don’t think it was in hindsight, and I loved the way that Raskin treated her young adult readers as young adults and not kids. The exact details of The Tatooed Potato didn’t stick with me, but The Westing Game most certainly did. If you tell me that you plan to do anything diving into these works (podcast, book, etc) I will be the first person to pre-order!
I read The Westing Game in 5th or 6th grade. I loved it and remembered most of the plot but forgot the title. Went to a teacher conference with my daughter's 4th grade teacher a couple of years ago and my husband mentioned the book to the teacher. Then I read it with said 4th grader. It was as delightful as I remembered.
Love love love The Westing Game. Haven't read it in ages and your mention here reminds me that I need to, so I shall seek it out at the library this month.
As for Gettysburg - I studied the Civil War a lot in pursuit of a History degree and took a class devoted solely to it. Later, in a US Military History class, we had one of those big sand tables and we all had to select a battle to design on the table for a class presentation. I jumped on Gettysburg and let all my love for Joshua Chamberlain and the Battle of Little Round Top be put on full display.
Seriously - if I could time travel, I would marry that man. (Or at least enjoy a torrid affair with him!) (HA!)
All of this is to say that your museum obsessions are exactly up my alley!
This was really good enjoyed it immensely. And a Coverlet museum- so cool. My Dad’s “travel thing” was to get the local newspapers. I do it too-genes. We all need to let our freak flags fly!
I was obsessed with The Westing Game. Ob. sessed. I long ago lost count of how many times I have read it, both as a kid and an adult. It lead me to read some of Ellen Raskin’s other works, and I remember really loving The Tatooed Potato and Other Clues. It somehow felt darker, although I don’t think it was in hindsight, and I loved the way that Raskin treated her young adult readers as young adults and not kids. The exact details of The Tatooed Potato didn’t stick with me, but The Westing Game most certainly did. If you tell me that you plan to do anything diving into these works (podcast, book, etc) I will be the first person to pre-order!
I read The Westing Game in 5th or 6th grade. I loved it and remembered most of the plot but forgot the title. Went to a teacher conference with my daughter's 4th grade teacher a couple of years ago and my husband mentioned the book to the teacher. Then I read it with said 4th grader. It was as delightful as I remembered.
Love love love The Westing Game. Haven't read it in ages and your mention here reminds me that I need to, so I shall seek it out at the library this month.
As for Gettysburg - I studied the Civil War a lot in pursuit of a History degree and took a class devoted solely to it. Later, in a US Military History class, we had one of those big sand tables and we all had to select a battle to design on the table for a class presentation. I jumped on Gettysburg and let all my love for Joshua Chamberlain and the Battle of Little Round Top be put on full display.
Seriously - if I could time travel, I would marry that man. (Or at least enjoy a torrid affair with him!) (HA!)
All of this is to say that your museum obsessions are exactly up my alley!
This was really good enjoyed it immensely. And a Coverlet museum- so cool. My Dad’s “travel thing” was to get the local newspapers. I do it too-genes. We all need to let our freak flags fly!