Samuel Kelly by Crosbie Garstin6/4/2023 ![]() ![]() ![]() Diligent research and attention to detail also forces modern viewers to pause and look closer, and ideally allows them (and myself) to empathize and viscerally understand the experience of past generations: something which is not possible with cheap costumes or cynically commercial ‘history-lite.’ Whether this then means hauling on a recreated capstan to lift a ship’s boat, or simply handling my hand-stitched recreated wardrobe and personal effects (see below), the resulting connections made between past and present can be powerful. This formative experience kindled my present interest in researching maritime history, and certainly gave fresh insight on the large difference between American and European perspectives on this period! Overall, my main themes throughout the presentation were that respecting authenticity adds integrity to any historical project, whether commercial or nonprofit, and that this type of history can be pragmatic and self-sustaining in both attracting and engaging audiences (in the case of Hermione, with ticketed admission providing 60% of the funding for an over $29 million project!). Entitled ‘Seven Months at Sea,’ it explored my time and lessons learnt in sailing in 20 on the recreated frigate l’Hermione, built by the Rochefort-based Association Hermione-Lafayette. The first major performance of this course was an hour-long evening talk I gave at MUSA ( The Museum of the University of St Andrews) on November 17 th. ![]()
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