Living history is a type of interpretive program offered by many national and state parks in the United States. It typically involves park staff or volunteers dressed in historical costumes, who demonstrate and explain the daily activities and customs of people who lived in the area during a specific time period in the past. Living history programs can take many forms, such as historical reenactments, demonstrations of traditional crafts, or guided tours of historical structures.
The purpose of living history programs is to provide visitors with a more immersive and engaging experience of the park’s history, by allowing them to see and interact with the past in a tangible way. Living history programs can help visitors understand how people lived in the past, the challenges they faced, and the impact they had on the land and the environment.
Living history programs are offered in many national parks including Colonial National Historical Park, where visitors can see reenactment of the colonial era, or in many state parks that showcase the history of the local area. They can take place at historical sites, museums, or even in campgrounds, and are often offered seasonally or on weekends.