Last summer I went to a concert at Bethel Woods in NY—the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. While I was too young to remember Woodstock or the Vietnam War, I was surprised to find I really enjoyed the exploring the Woodstock Museum.
Immersive History: Walking Through Woodstock
Not being much of a history buff, I realized that I had never really considered what was going on at that time in history and the impact these events had on so many. The Woodstock Festival promoted peace, love and music. The museum did an excellent job of transporting me back in time, making me see and feel what it must have been like to be there, experiencing Woodstock live. I found myself reading about it, listening to the music performed at Woodstock and wondering if I would have protested, even days after my visit.
Reliving the Vietnam War Through Storytelling
Fast forward a few months and I downloaded the audiobook “The Women” by Kristin Hannah. The book explored the lives and struggles of different women in the Vietnam War era—Frances “Frankie” Grace McGarth, a frontline nurse, was at the center of the story along with her closest friends, Barb and Ethel (also nurses). As I listened, I was in awe — imaging the women who survived such intense moments in Vietnam, working tirelessly to save lives amidst chaos and with limited resources during a Mass Casualty Event or other horrors of war. And when they returned home, the women were spit on, ignored, forgotten or misunderstood and for a long while, completely unrecognized. In the book which is based loosely on real persons and events, these women’s unwavering strength and resilience was amazing — inspiring me to persevere through adversity, especially since my own challenges pale in comparison.
The Impact of Engaging All Our Senses
As I reflect on each of these experiences—visiting a museum and enjoying an audiobook — I really love the combination of visual and auditory input. It truly engages me, makes me feel like a part of the story or events of the time, drawing me in more than just listening or reading alone would.
It’s so easy to float through the days without fully engaging all our senses, not take the time to experience first-hand what something looks like, feels like, sounds like, smells like or tastes like. I’m so grateful for these immersive opportunities to explore and learn about the past at museums, through stories and more. So, I promise to dive in and immerse myself whenever possible. Why? Because I’m a better person with a greater understanding of the world around me. How ‘about you?
