Setting Goals for 2022

Oh, Look! I do have an actual face! And a Long Pointy Nose! Me at the Kirkpatrick Cabin at the history site where I volunteer, just before our Old Fashioned Christmas at the Park events at the end of November and early December. SO MUCH FUN!

It’s been a bit of a roller-coaster the last while, hasn’t it?

2022 is here, and I’d love to encourage you each to make a list of some personal historical goals for the year, plus a plan to meet that goal!

What will you read to increase your understanding of the world of the mid-19th century? Will it be novels, new, science, politics?

Will you find out where your own relatives were during the mid-century, and what they were up to? Were they settled in, or settling new regions? What work did they do?

Will you be investigating your town, county, or region’s history to bring new facets to long-enjoyed topics?

What wardrobe maintenance do you need? Does everything fit? Is it in good order?

Will you add accessories, or refresh your undergarment inventory, or finally make a few nice collars (I’m teaching a workshop on just that for Corsets & Cravats in the summer, and will have the workbook available for independent purchase after, as well!)? Is it time to refit your favorite dress, reset some petticoat waists, or upgrade your shoes and stockings?

Will you be mastering one or two nice period hairstyles that give you Just The Right Look?

Will you investigate and add to your housewares and home goods, to fill out the visuals in any display or impression?

What new skills will you add to assist you this year? Will you learn some hymns or popular songs? Will you learn to dance, or play an instrument?

Will you host or organize some small, focused, historical activities that could grow into events in coming years? Will you upgrade your interpretive efforts at public events or historic sites? Will you strengthen a relationship with your local historical sites, museums, and community?

I have my own list:

• New corset to suit my figure realities
• Remake a favorite dress to remove damage from leather dye (oh, tragedy! I admit I was gutted about that!)
• Make a few nice new collars and some 1840s and 1850s daycaps (the collar I’m wearing is a favorite, and I need more!)
• undergarment inventory updates (seriously tragic situation with a dismal lack of decent chemises and drawers)
• Dressing offspring and grand-offspring
• Doing more public interpretive work at the little historical site where we volunteer
• Helping with an immersion event in Washington State
• Teaching (zoom and in person!)
• Releasing some exciting new things here on the website! (Yes, older boy stuff. FINALLY. I know. It’s been coming forever. And you still have to wait. But I’m getting CLOSE. And some new Compendium things. And more things for infants and girls for the 1840s & 1850s… I am stinking busy!!)

Stay tuned, and let me know how I can help you meet your own goals!