Top Ten Tips to #TurnHistoryOn

Top Ten Tips to #TurnHistoryOn

In my work as a digital storyteller and designer of interactive experiences for cities, historic homes, and museums, I have observed that many young people — and even some adults — think history is boring. 

I believe it’s not history that’s boring, but the way it’s presented.

History is not a collection of names, dates, and facts to be memorized. It's a fascinating collection of wonderful interconnected stories, extraordinary adventures, incredible innovations, revolutionary breakthroughs, horrid acts of injustice, as well as astonishing gestures of kindness. If told well, such tales can capture even the youngest imagination and bring to life any past era or event, no matter how distant.

So how can you help #TurnHistoryOn for the young people in your life?

Here are my Top 10 Tips:

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Six Things You Might Not Know About Michelangelo

Six Things You Might Not Know About Michelangelo

This week, Sarah was featured on the ever-popular Florence culture blog, ArtTrav, which dishes up regular tasty morsels on all things Art, Travel & Life in Italy to a devoted following of Italianophiles. And who isn't, really? 

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Six Things You Might Not Know about Michelangelo

There are many ways to engage with Florence – from the whirlwind tour of the first-time visitor to the microscopic examination of the repeat visitor intent on peeling back history’s layers to peek below the surface. Take Michelangelo. Everybody knows who he is. His David has drawn tourists to Florence for centuries. But understanding the context in which Michelangelo sculpted the iconic Florence landmark will introduce you to a vibrant society of rivals, teachers, friends, and foes – all of whom helped to shape Michelangelo’s life and art and are certain to enliven your next trip there. Here are six lesser-known Michelangelo facts and how to learn more about them when exploring Florence.

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Just in Time for Summer: Family Travel FunPack

Just in Time for Summer: Family Travel FunPack

I’m thrilled to announce that the team and I have just launched TTT&T’s Ultimate Family Travel FUNPack. Created for families – but perfect for any group on the move this season – our FUNpack promises to speed up long car journeys and fill wait times at airports and train stations with peals of laughter.

But the juicy goodness doesn’t stop there! 

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When Does History Begin?

When Does History Begin?

It’s been a tumultuous last few weeks here in the UK.

From attacks targeting kids and Saturday night revelers to a political about-face and rebuff of Prime Minister May’s political party to a tragedy based on nothing more than human negligence and greed – we felt history being made. Yet, typically, history is viewed as something that exists in the distance, far away from the here and now, separate from the events of everyday life.

So when does history begin? Is there a clear line between past events and current affairs, even when those affairs are of obvious historic significance?

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3 Cheers for the Positive Power of Narrative

3 Cheers for the Positive Power of Narrative

We couldn’t have planned it better if we’d tried.

It all started back on April Fools’ Day. That’s when we initiated our 21-day campaign to engage the TTT&T community in the build-up to the unveiling, on 21 April, of Buried Alive: the Secret Michelangelo Took to His Grave. We appealed to all of you then to snap a selfie while holding the name of your #HistoryHero on a piece of paper and lots of you did!

Well, three unanticipated things happened off the back of that initiative that touched the hearts of my team members and me, and got our collective creative imagination flowing…

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