Is it Real, Or, Is it a Fake...Only the Historian Knows for Sure

And even then, he or she may not know. Many people think of history as set in stone and any item from it to be the bona fide, real deal. The old Chicago Historical Society, now renamed the Chicago History Museum, has a new temporary exhibit that runs until January 6th, where you can play the role of a historian and look at 18 items (of the museum's 22 million) and decide if they are real or not.

You are given facts about each one and get the chance to make your own observation. Then, you can see what the historians decided. This is real history and not what you get out of that old cursed school history text. I like this idea a lot, and just might have to visit the place myself.

Some of the objects on display:

1. A wooden gun that may or may not have belonged to John Dillinger and used in a jail escape.
2. Snakeskin that may or may not have come from the serpent that tempted Eve and the Garden of Eden.
3. Stovepipe hat that may or may not have belonged to Abraham Lincoln.
4. Death mask that may or may not have been of John Dillinger.

"Curators lay out all known facts, where it came from, chain of ownership, and supporting documentation. In some cases, there is even laboratory tests for age, or other authenticating evidence."

From July 5th Chicago Tribune "Finding true history among the false" by William Mullen.

Now, this is my idea of an interactive display. Who knows, this might even get some of the visitors interested in history. Great idea.

Only Her Hairdresser Knows for Sure. --RoadDog