You're Human: A Living History Conversation I'll Never Forget

We had several hundred students tour the farm yesterday. While answering their questions, one boy said, "How did those pioneers do their dishes?"

I pointed out, "Those pioneers were our ancestors. We ALL had ancestors that lived without electricity and running water."

The boy shook his head and said, "not me. MY ancestors were animals."

I thought he was joking. He repeated himself, "my ancestors weren't people, they were animals."

Another boy piped up, "They evolved!"...

A look must have crossed over my face, as the teacher wrapped her arms around him protectively and explained to the boy, "not everyone shares the same beliefs..."

I looked into the boy's eyes, wondering what I saw... Sadness? Emptiness? I couldn't figure it out.

Restoring the boy's dignity, I replied, "your ancestors were HUMAN."

Ignoring the look of the teacher, I said more firmly to the boy, "Your ancestors were human!"

One of the things I enjoyed most about volunteering at Pioneer Farms was answering children's questions. Every school tour was different, and you never knew what a student might ask next.

On this particular day, one young boy wanted to know how pioneer families washed their dishes before electricity and running water. It opened the door to a wonderful discussion about everyday life on the Texas frontier and just how much hard work our ancestors invested in the simplest household chores.

As the conversation continued, the discussion unexpectedly shifted toward where people came from and the beliefs different families hold. It reminded me that museums and living history sites often bring together visitors from many different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

For me, the most important lesson that day wasn't about winning an argument. It was realizing how important it is for young people to understand that history is personal. Every one of us has parents, grandparents, and generations of ancestors whose lives helped shape the families we belong to today. Learning about their daily lives—how they cooked, farmed, worked, and cared for one another—helps us better appreciate the comforts we often take for granted. 

This is also one of the reasons why I think travel is so important - to study other cultures and to appreciate other people's world views, whether we agree or not. 

Volunteering at Pioneer Farms gave me countless opportunities to encourage curiosity about history. If one child left with a greater appreciation for the resourcefulness and determination of those who came before us, then it was a day well spent.