Academic essay writing does not only involve book reading and library visits. Historic houses are invaluable essay writing resources that provide information about historical personages on many levels. Historic house museums have important collections of objects that inform on the historical context of the life and work of famous persons of the past, and on the material culture of their time.
How to Find a Historic House Museum
Many House Museums have an online presence and there are also online databases of Historic House Museums across the United States for example.
- For a biographical essay or an essay pertaining to the work of a politician, artist, poet and so on, check out whether a home of the person in question exists by typing for example "George Washington House Museum".
- For history or literary essays pertaining to an event or era, consider finding historic homes of people involved in the events or of contemporaries of people who played a major role in the events but whose houses do not survive. For example William Shakespeare's house in London does not survive but some of his contemporaries' houses do.
What to Look for in a Historic House Museum
Material culture refers to objects or artifacts made by human action in the past. These objects can be anything from architectural elements and interior furnishings (furniture, carpets, textiles) to clothing and everyday items. Historic restoration and preservation means that most of these historic house museums are faithful reconstructions of the original homes. Consider the following as essay writing resources:
- Location of historic home can provide clues about historical context of the period in question. Consult historical archives to establish conditions and urban planning;
- Layout of historic house: the interior house plan can inform about uses of the home;
- Interior Furnishings: consider the materials used and furniture layout and functions;
- Books: reading material provides information about person's literary influences
- Manuscripts
- Personal items: objects used daily (such as writing instruments, clothing, household objects) provide insights into the person's personality and habits.
Essay Writing Tips for the Use of Material Culture Resources
The object collections of historic house museums are displayed like frozen in time. The uses and meanings of the objects have to be deciphered or interpreted by the researcher. Consider using the material culture resources that exist in museums to enrich often dull essay writing formats:
- Use objects as a starting point for the investigation of a particular person or period. For example, a bronze ink pot on a writer's desk can reveal the writer's or the historical period's fascination with classical sculpture. A keepsake from a politician's childhood can provide an insight into his humble beginnings.
- Place objects in the essay narrative to illustrate a point. For example an unassuming house interior can be contrasted with a famous artist's otherwise flamboyant public presence. A collection of private prayer books can reveal a politician's interest in spiritual matters. Luxury clothing can inform on an era's preoccupation with public display.
For a list of historic house museums in the USA see the Historic Houses and Public Spaces database.
On Historic House Museums see the Dickens House Museum, its important Picture Library and Photographic Archive and historically accurate interior, and the Franz Liszt Museum that features Liszt's antique pianos and personal items.
Lito Apostolakou - Lito is a historian with an interest in digital archives and online historical resources. She is the author of blog Palimpsest.
