This week is Education Week in Victoria. In the spirit of thinking about learning and learners we have written this post about some of the most common questions and misconceptions students bring to Sovereign Hill. Each day we work on developing students’ understandings about these concepts. Some are small, while others are very complex. It gives you an insight into common student thinking…
Posted in History Teaching, Sovereign Hill
There were a wide range of lollies and sweets being produced during the Victorian era. When the gold rush began in Ballarat, it wasn’t long before confectioners arrived and established their businesses here. By 1857 there were a total of 18 people in Ballarat making confectionery. As was common to the time, around half were also bakers or cooks.
The Eureka Stockade is a key event in Australia’s history and, arguably, the only civil battle on our soil. It is seen by most as a key step on our path towards democracy and nearly all Victorian students study the cause and effect of the Eureka Stockade in History lessons. There is a complex chronology of events that led to the storming of the Stockade, and these can be viewed in the global context of the Chartist movement. Understanding the context, motives and emotions involved can be difficult.
Here at Sovereign Hill we want to commemorate the event with students by allowing them to engage with this historical story in a meaningful, accessible and memorable way. Late last year we developed a participatory reenactment experience for the students on the eve of the 157th anniversary.
Chinese migrants played a very significant role on the Ballarat Goldfields, and elsewhere around Victoria, making up approximately 20% of all males in Ballarat. They were known for being hard-working and peaceful people, however their experience of the gold rush was marred by racism and discriminatory politics.
Posted in History Teaching, Sovereign Hill, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged 1850s people, Chinese, immigration, racism, teaching history, teaching resources
Here at Sovereign Hill we are getting ready for Christmas with some colonial-style decorations, even our animals are getting into the spirit. Some photos are included below and you can see more on the Sovereign Hill Facebook page.
No plastic decorations or flashing lights in the 1850's.
Posted in History Teaching, Sovereign Hill
Tagged Colonial Christmas, teaching history, Victorian celebrations
If there is one thing that most historical recreations get wrong, it’s probably teeth. Dental care in the past, like most of the medical profession, was generally dreadful. Consequently many people would have had rotten, missing or crude false teeth. Even here at Sovereign Hill, most of us have a good set of chompers… certainly a greater number than would have been the reality in the 1850’s!
Dental care of the past: a soldier receiving dental treatment c.1915-1918 (Image from the State Library of Victoria)
Posted in Sovereign Hill, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged 1850s health, historical recreations, newspapers, Wild Boys
Burke and Wills Memorial Fountain
Yesterday, Sovereign Hill, together with our project partners: City of Ballarat, Heritage Victoria, DEECD and the Royal Society of Victoria received a commendation at the Victorian Community History Awards for our project around the Burke and Wills Memorial Fountain in Ballarat. We were thrilled to receive the recognition for this collaborative project and would like to encourage schools to use this as a model to get involved with their local history.
Value of Local History
Often Local History is forgotten within the broader context of national history, but this need not be the case. This project, which centred around the research, retrieval and reinternment of a time capsule, shows that there are often strong links in local history to the national story. The connection between Ballarat, gold and the Burke and Wills expedition is very strong. There are many other examples around Victoria of local stories, identities and monuments connecting to our national history.
Studying local history with students can lead to students identifying more strongly with the material. It can often be more immediately relevant and offer more opportunities for active involvement.
Posted in History Teaching, Sovereign Hill
Tagged Ballarat, burke and wills, local history, teaching history, teaching resources
One of the most iconic images of Sovereign Hill is that of the marching redcoats. Daily they draw large crowds to their marching and firing demonstration. They are exciting and entertaining to watch. They can also prompt a thought-provoking question to students – why are they here?
The 40th Regiment at Sovereign Hill
Posted in History Teaching, Sovereign Hill, Victorian Gold Rush
Tagged gold rush, museum learning, teaching history, theatre
Sovereign Hill Education Blog 