Museum of History

Yesterday we took the boys to the Museum of History in Tacoma.  They had a special Train Event that Jake wanted to see with them.  It was really fun.  The guys enjoyed the trains and I enjoyed wandering around and looking at all the cool stuff.  The trains were pretty neat though.

They had a really nice section on Pioneer times with covered wagons and different pieces from the time period.  Life is much easier nowadays.  I have respect for those people.  Obviously there was no easier way to do things and as far as they knew then, that was the best way to do everything.  I can't imagine taking 6+ months to make it across the country with all your belongings, children, pets and food stored in a tiny wagon.  The wet, cold, mud, heat and sickness.  Traveling only about 10 miles a day! Then, if you actually make it to your destination alive and healthy, you have to build your own house, cut all your firewood, find your food and figure out how to survive in this new place with new dangers.  I honestly can't even imagine what that must have been like.

 Their oxen were probably more well cared for then the family because if that ox died, you were screwed! I mean, it's not like you can whip out your cell phone and call for road-side service to bring you another fresh ox.  You couldn't go anywhere without that ox.  At least not far and not safe.  And you'd have to leave your only means of shelter, food and safety behind. 


It's always nice to listen to how life used to be for our ancestors so you can truly appreciate all you have now.  If they hadn't done what they did, where do you think we'd be? I'm not sure we can ever really know that answer, but I'm thankful they did it.  I imagine 100 or so years from now, someone will look back on how we lived our lives in 2011 and say, "Wow, I don't know how they did it.  Life must have been so hard for them."  Makes me smile.  Because to me, this is the best way to live life.


Here's a few pictures of a wealthy family traveling in their private train car.  Each family had their own private sleeping rooms and lavatories.  They also had a nice dining car where servants and slaves fixed their meals.

A family traveling in the new train cars.  Only wealthy people were able to afforded this privilege.

Immigrants & poor were shoved into freight cars together w/no sleeping or dining cars.

Different times for sure.