I've been dreaming this dream for years. It's a dream I'm guessing some of you may share.
Ever been to Colonial Williamsburg? The oldest part of the city looks much like it did in the 1700s; reenactors populate shops, homes, and the streets, and when you engage them in conversation, they speak in the vernacular of that time, talk about current events of that time, and generally make you feel as if you are temporarily living in that time.
It's a great way to learn about history, with all of your senses.
See where I'm going with this?
I'd like to find a town that looks like it's stuck in time - specifically stuck in the late 1950s to early 1960s. I'd like that town to have everything period-correct. Cars, bicycles, Five and Dime store, furniture store, diner, movie theaters, drive-in theater, bowling alley, arcade, record store, newspaper, radio station, drugstore, fix-it shop, barber shop, beauty salon, appliance store, hardware store, car dealerships, gas stations, carnival...everything. Sort of a super Mayberry. This town would be populated by reenactors, dressed and coiffed appropriately, and well versed in current events.
If this was my town, I would mix things up to keep people coming back for more. One day it would be the spring of 1957, and every kid would be tossing around one of those new Frisbee toys. On another day, it would be October 1962 - the Cuban Missile Crisis. Christmas 1960. Fall 1958 and the release of the new car lines for 1959. Other days it would be a tragic Thanksgiving weekend, 1963; the first week of February 1960, a milestone for Dr. King's dream; or February 21, 1962; or February 10, 1964. (You'll have to look up those last two.)
What an attraction this would be. Is there a town that wants to volunteer to get this dream moving? I'd be happy to map out my dream down to the smallest detail if you'll let me be a part of it.
This current blog is quite ironic. I went to Graceland last weekend and talk about stepping back in time. No children playing on the lawn but the people working there were so polite and helpful I thought for sure we were in a time warp. And the mansion....I'm at a loss to properly describe the experience.
ReplyDeleteDiane
Honey Stop The Car
I need to visit Graceland - thanks
DeleteThat sounds like an awesome idea Uncle Atom! Funny how no one yet considers the 20th century as worthy of historic preservation - except for those of us in the know.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and I hope we get to see you on one of our Retro Roadmap adventures soon!
Thanks for the vote Mod Betty. I hope I can make it out to a Retro Roadmap adventure this year.
ReplyDeleteSounds like an awesome dream...I wanna live in this town!
ReplyDeleteStay tuned Anon
DeleteI love it! October of 1962 is one of my favorites, (ever seen the movie "Matinee"?!) You and I share a like dream, however mine has always been on a smaller scale! I've always envisioned a place called "The Cul-de-sack" with 10 or 12 1950's houses of all shapes and styles, the cars, the clothes, the dates. Everything period it would be a wonderful place to live/work/play! Should you ever find that city and start your dream sign me up! Have chalk-ware lamps and fall out siren, will travel!
ReplyDeleteI knew you would like this Mick, and I'd love for you to help make it happen. We need everyone who reads this to spread the idea around. It won't take a billionaire, but it will "take a village." I plan to blog some more on this.
DeleteSounds like my kinda town!
ReplyDeleteYeah!
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