Analysis of Site Examination - Research Paper Example

Analysis of Site Examination Introduction The tour under examination is one of Concord and the surrounding areas. While Concord is perhaps most recognized in American lore as the site, along with Lexington, of the first conflicts of the Revolutionary War, the area also contains a substantial amount of historical significance that doesn't directly relate to the war site. The Concord tour explores both the site of this seminal battle as well as the substantial literary and historical elements in the surrounding area. This essay examines my tour of Concord, evaluating the sites witnessed for their historical significance, and qualitatively evaluates the tour itself from a variety of perspectives, arguing that it is ultimately effective in relaying the site's history. Significance There are a variety of historical sites that are explored in the tour of Concord. Perhaps the most pervasive site is the area where the battle of Concord occurred. This is highly significant as it relates to a battle that occurred on the opening day of the American Revolutionary War. The battle was significant as the American minutemen were able to prevent the British troops from destroying the American munitions that had been stored in the town. In walking throughout the town one notes that it is has in great part retained the same architecture as it did during the 18th century; in these regards, it has significance for its historical architecture. Another significant element of the tour was visits to the homes of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, and Nathaniel Hawthorne. These are some of the most seminal authors in American history and viewing where they constructed a great amount of their work gives one insight into elements that may have influenced them. I also took a bus tour to the site of Walden Pond. One recognizes that this is the site where Thoreau wrote his seminal work Walden. This is a highly significant site as perhaps more than any canonical work of American literature, is the site itself related to the work. In viewing the surrounding area one comes to understand many of the elements that influenced this highly important transcendental work. How is Information Conveyed The tour is conveyed through a variety of means, but most prominently through the stories of a tour guide and the first-hand viewing of the sites in question. The initial portion of the tour is a walking portion wherein individuals walk through the town of Concord, and eventually make it to the North Bridge. Outside of the stories that are told by the tour guide, the site contains also house referred to as the 'Bullet Hole House' which contains actual bullet holes from shots that were fired during the Concord conflict that has a museum like feel despite being an actual object of history. Similarly, during the walking tour of the city the tour guide pointed out significant areas of interest, and placed them in historical context. At Walden Pond the tour guide described the varying conditions and elements that influenced Thoreau and contributed to the creation of the work; they also attempted to convey the living conditions that Thoreau may have experienced when creating this work as a recreation of the cabin he lived and wrote in is included in the tour. Perspective and Stories The first site that was viewed was the North Bridge where one of the originary battles of the Revolutionary War occurred. The tour guide described how the original battle had occurred. While the battle site was not the site where the very first shots were fired, as this occurred in Lexington, the site did constitute the second major conflict with the British. The story the guide relayed was highly compelling. The minutemen had gained intelligence information that the British were on the way to Concord to destroy the ammunition supplies that had been stored there. Having this advanced knowledge, the American militia set out to stop them. The showdown occurred at the North Bridge where the minutemen were able to halt the British Red Coats' advance. During the battle bullets were shot that lodged into a surrounding home. The home is still standing and during the tour it was pointed out; it is now referred to as the 'Bullet Hole House'. Another interesting story that is conveyed is that regarding Walden Pond. While I had been familiar with elements of the book's authorship, the guide was able to place them in context, indicating that the pond was not entirely secluded, just two miles off the edge of town. Intended Audience While it would be shortsighted to claim that the Concord site and tour is geared towards a specific audience, it's clear that specific individuals may be more interested in the tour than others. Considering the North Bridge site, it's an important aspect of any individuals understanding of American history and culture; in these regards, the intended audience is anyone with even a cursory interest in American history. I truly believe that if other people were to witness this site, even without the descriptive tour, they would gain a new-found appreciation for the United States and the sacrifices made to bring the country to the state that it has evolved into. Other elements of the tour are clearly intended for an older audience. For instance, many children who may appreciate the site of the battle grounds, who not find the same enjoyment out of viewing the home's of famous American authors. Scope of Presentation The scope of the presentation is larger than some might initially expect. While arguably the most important aspect of the tour is the visit to North Bridge, it also considerably involves the surrounding areas. The walking tour includes homes which have retained their colonial architecture, as well as homes of famous American authors. A separate bus tour also allows individuals to view Walden Pond where Thoreau wrote Walden. Effectiveness The Concord tour is highly effective in relaying the significance of the history it contains. It relaying this information some may contend that it is done so in a simplistic way. For instance, there are no multimedia presentations, or anything of advanced technological means; in fact, a large portion of the tour is simply conducted through individuals following a tour guide on foot that points out the significance of the various sites. Still, it is clear that such a simplistic approach to the presentation of this history is the best approach. In large part the town has attempted to retain the same look as during its significant revolutionary period. Similarly, the historical sites that are on the tour are extremely substantial elements of American history. In these regards, the history is so substantial that it nearly tells the story by itself. It's a highly effective presentation, as the tour understands that the significance of the sites need not be intruded upon by elaborate media or elements extraneous to the history itself, but simply relayed and explained in an enjoyable and clear way. Considering the visit to Walden Pond, in some regards individuals not familiar with the book may find the site somewhat underwhelming. While the pond and the surrounding area are highly scenic, without understanding the literary significance one might find them disappointing. In these regards, having appreciated Walden, I might have a slight bias relating to the effectiveness of this element of the tour; however, having this background the site is a highly compelling experience. Conclusion In conclusion, it's clear that the tour of Concord contains a great amount of elements of American history that are effectively presented to the audience. The tour contains significant elements of American history, as it includes both one of the seminal battlefields of the Revolutionary War, and the homes of some of the most notable American authors of the 19th century. In presenting these elements the tour is simplistic in nature, as it contains no significant multimedia presentations or such fanciful elements; rather, these historical sites are relayed almost predominantly through the descriptive story telling of the tour guide. Still, it is effective in relaying the historical significance of these sites, as it allows the sites themselves sites to tell the story. Ultimately, this tour of Concord is intended for a wide variety of audiences, as it allows individuals to gain a deeper understanding of American culture. Read More