SO…YOU SAY YOU’RE A HISTORY BUFF?

By

i.e., someone who finds people more interesting when they’re dead.

Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow

For your friend who #cantstopwontstop singing the Hamilton soundtrack: Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow is a richly detailed portrait of a complex and endlessly energetic immigrant who vaulted into positions of incredible influence during the formation of the United States. A.k.a., the book that inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda.

$25.29 for the hardcover (because you weren’t raised in a barn) on Amazon

Historic Figures Finger Puppets

For the young history buff. Or someone who wants to teach history to the young. Or the young at heart. Or weirdos who like the idea of having their fingers… you know what, never mind. With over 100 to choose from, there’s a puppet for everyone/every finger.

$7 each each at Unemployed Philosophers Guild

Gwinnett History Museum

Located in the Historic Female Seminary in Lawrenceville and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Gwinnett History Museum houses a permanent collection of all things Gwinnett. Learn about the county’s history and view artifacts such as furniture, clothing, looming equipment, old photographs and city records. Don’t miss the one room schoolhouse and the bluegrass music of Georgia exhibit.

free admission

Socksmith Dead President Socks

No commentary on which modern day White House inhabitants should or should not be included. Keep your feet warm while also celebrating some of our finest presidents. Bet you’ll be washing them a ton. (Sorry.)

$10.95 on amazon

Elisha Winn Fair

Held annually on the first weekend of October, the Elisha Winn Fair celebrates Gwinnett’s rich history with reenactors, exhibitors, crafters’ booths, musical entertainment and railroad history. The fair is held on the grounds of the (surprise) historic Elisha Winn House in Dacula, during which the house and all of the out buildings will be open for touring. If you can’t make the fair, the Elisha Winn House is open for tours from March to September on the third Saturday of the month from noon to 4:00 pm.

free admission

FamilyTreeDNA Test

What better way to journey through time than through the knowledge of your own ancestry!? Where once we had to pursue our genealogies through the annals of ill-kept census reports, modern technology has equipped us with simple, mailable kits for discovering long-lost relatives. With just a drop of blood (okay, saliva), you’ll soon know all you could ever want about your heritage. FamilyTreeDNA is one of the leading tests on the market for its variety and comprehensiveness of assessment—and it’s partnered with National Geographic, so there’s that.

Starting at $79 at familytreedna.com

The Oregon Trail Game

Not really feeling the ‘one-with-the-ancestors’ thing? How about a blast from your own past—say, 4th grade social studies. If you don’t remember The Oregon Trail…well we won’t begin speculating where you must have been hiding all that time. Suffice it to say, you can now once again play pioneer and follow in the footsteps of the great westward expansion! Just try to avoid dysentery, will you?

FREE at archive.org/details/msdos_Oregon_Trail_The_1990