Making history accessible is part of this blog’s mission.

What's the best way to create joy and understanding through all the things that embody our shared American history? Eliminate overwhelm.

Not all of us who are inspired by and passionate about history plan to study it at the academic level. And that's ok. It's why I'm approaching this blog in a way that not only shares history, but offers tips for learning and ENJOYING history.

Creating content that makes history easily accessible.

In this post, I'm sharing shortcuts to maximize visits to local historical societies.

What are they? Definitions.net nails it:

"A historical society (sometimes also preservation society) is an organization dedicated to preserving, collecting, researching, and interpreting historical information or items."

They may not always be big in square footage, but I guarantee you'll find them massive in significance. Many towns (or counties) have them and it's most likely their "open" hours are limited. Also likely, you'll meet volunteers inside. Sharing the existence of these often hidden gems is aligned with my mission.

RELATED: Click here to check out this blog's Mission Statement

Disclaimer: As a blogger, I use affiliate links sometimes! I may receive commission from purchases I share; it does not change your price but sometimes you might get a discount.

My 3x3 prep plan for your visit.

Before you head out the door:

1. Confirm the "open" hours.
2. Check the address and route you'll be taking.
3. Have Explore Here's Pro Version downloaded- why? Because you can search the map along your route and find historical markers you can plug into your GPS with a click... or save them for when you're ready to explore the area!

Pack for your visit:

1. Notebook/writing pad and pens (gel pens are my fave-- I bring multiple because I tend to color code, draw arrows and circle things! So I need multiple colors!)
2. Camera (or your phone of course!).
3. Comfortable shoes (just in case you find out there's somewhere you need to explore- and it requires walking!).

Bonus tip: Have kids in your life? Whether they're accompanying you on this trip or to follow-up site visits, check the History Unboxed inventory for related educational boxes!

RELATED: This post sharing tips for preparing to visit an historic site.

Entrance to Leticia Tyler's family cemetery, New Kent County, Virginia

List of questions

Tip: these questions can be done in any order that makes sense for you in the moment.

My challenge to you is this however, be open to listening as well as asking (you may discover something you didn't plan to ask about!) but do have a purpose to your visit.

Go-to list of 7 questions to ask when visiting historical societies.

Question: Is there any hidden history in the area?

The 'why:' Find something you won’t find on Tripadvisor! This question was pure gold to me when I asked it at the New Kent Historical Society. I found out about First Lady Leticia Tyler's family cemetery. Read about it here.

Question: Who lived here and where?

The 'why:' More famous residents of the area may be obvious – look around the museum/building. But is there someone who had an historical impact whose name you may not know, or you may not associate with the area?

Again, reference above- I knew New Kent is where Martha Dandridge Custis Washington hailed from, I had no idea that another first lady was associated with New Kent!

Question: Who visited and why/where?

The 'why:' You may know about who lived in an area, but not always: who visited. As I've been reading letters from the past both online and in my Jefferson Family Letters book, learning about the travels of the Marquis de Lafayette during his 1825-25 tour, etcetera- I'm realizing that associations between people and aren't always obvious.

The history-nerd in me loves to find new ones! I'm guessing you might too.

Question: What’s public and free to see?

The 'why:' While there may be historical sites you can formally tour, is there a place you can experience without a pass or ticket?

For example, referencing it again: when I went to New Kent’s historical society I got the tip about Leticia Tyler's family cemetery.

Question: What are the best resources for learning more about local history in this area?

The 'why:' is there a special collections archive? Are there descendants of a founding family willing to chat? Is there an online resource you can utilize after your visit?

The docent at the Palm Desert Historical Society told me about Randall Henderson, the newspaper editor that truly had a hand in creating the Palm Desert community.

For follow up, he told me about the book I can get later if I want to learn more. Read about my visit to Palm Desert here.

Question: Where should you visit if you only have time for 1-2 stops before leaving town?

The 'why:' no doubt there'll be quite a bit around you. If you want to wander and visit sites beyond the walls of the historical society, narrow your options. But if you do have the time to explore more, by all means do it!

Question: What’s your most prized object/artifact here at the Historical Society- and why?

The 'why:' Make sure to let those at the historical society know how much you value their passion for preservation and for the area. With all the objects on display, and documents they may have archived, this question provides a fantastic way to ease the overwhelm and identify the best bits the society has to offer.

Leticia Tyler family cemetery, New Kent County, Virginia

Questions to ask at historical societies that may not always be on your list.

The go-to list above truly is "evergreen." It doesn't need to change over time. That said, there are additional questions that can be asked based on what is seasonal or timely.

What do I mean? Maybe you:

• are reading a book based on a specific era in American history or a biography/book of letters about someone you want to learn more about
• are looking forward to a trip or event
• have a topic you'd like to learn more about

At this moment in time, for me, my additional questions are:

• Is there a connection to the Marquis de Lafayette with anything you have at the museum or local to the area? (2024-2025 marks his 200th anniversary tour to the United States)
• Do you have anything focused on Native Americans from this area? (I've been interested in learning more about American Indians and the tribal nations indigenous to the Eastern Woodlands)
• Are you planning any events here surrounding America’s 250th?

One thing a question led me to in West Point, Virginia.

I asked a few of my go-to questions when I visited the Historical Society of West Point (HSWP). And the HSWP employee was so gracious in sharing the answers!

The question: What are the best resources for learning more about local history in this area?

The answer: the library on the 2nd floor of the building, which led to conversation about the books.

What I learned from the response:

• the books are available for society members to borrow, but for anyone in the public to use during the HSWP's open-hours
• two books I can use to further research my specific interests of families in the area and photographs of historic buildings

Stairway leading to HSWP library

RELATED: Open a new tab and check out my journal-style post about wandering West Point, Virginia and my experience heading to HSWP.

Closing words from history.

John Adams shares a list of do's and don'ts with his teenage son John Quincy in this classic letter (which you can read in full, with citations, by clicking here).

This excerpt highlights the importance of asking questions.

But above all Things, my son, take Care of your Behaviour and preserve the Character you have acquired, for Prudence and Solidity. Remember your tender Years and treat all the World with Modesty, Decency and Respect.
The Advantage you have in Mr. Dumas’s Attention to you is a very prescious one. He is himself a Walking Library, and so great a Master of Languages ancient and modern is very rarely Seen. The Art of asking Questions is the most essential to one who wants to learn. Never be too wise to ask a Question.

There is a huge practical disclaimer to the content on this blog, which is my way of sharing my excitement and basically journaling online.

1) I am not a historian nor an expert. I will let you know I’m relaying the information as I understand and interpret it. The employees of Colonial Williamsburg base their presentations, work, and responses on historical documents and mainly primary sources.

2) I will update for accuracy as history is constant learning. If you have a question about accuracy, please ask me! I will get the answer from the best source I can find.

3) Photo credit to me, Daphne Reznik, for all photos in this post unless otherwise credided! All photos are personal photos taken in public access locations or with specific permission.

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