Educational & Living History Programming, Museum Theatre, and Consultation

Mr. Johnston offers services in the following three areas: consultation, living history and museum theatre/performance. This work includes on-set advisor for film/video shoots, designing and implementing hands-on living history programming, training staff, and writing, directing or performing museum theatre/first person interpretation programs.

All Programs meet Georgia Standards of Excellence mandates

LIVING HISTORY

Using historically accurate military and civilian daily life tools, objects, and clothing, these Living History programs explore 400 years of American and World History by examining material culture development, first contact between distinctly differing cultures, and the legacy of that contact.

1st Grade Program(s), GSE(s) met

  • Lewis & Clark Expedition – SS1H1: Read about and describe the life of historical figures in American history, Section a. Identify the contributions made by these figures: Meriwether Lewis and William Clark with Sacagawea (exploration).

2nd Grade Program(s), GSE(s) met

  • Deer Skin Trade – SS2H2: Describe the Georgia Creek and Cherokee cultures of the past in terms of tools, clothing, homes, ways of making a living.

3rd Grade Program(s), GSE(s) met

De Soto Expedition – SS3H2: Describe European exploration in North America, Section b. Describe the accomplishments of: Hernando de Soto (Spain).

  • Deer Skin Trade – SS3H3: Explain the factors that shaped British Colonial America, Section c. Describe colonial life in America from the perspectives of various people: American Indians.

4th Grade Program(s), GSE(s) met

Black Regiments and Soldiers in the War for Independence – SS4H1:  Explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution, Section b. Describe the influence of key individuals and groups – Black regiments.

  • Lewis & Clark Expedition – SS4H3: Explain westward expansion in America, Section c. Describe territorial expansion with emphasis on the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark expedition.

5th Grade Program(s), GSE(s) met

  • Cowboys of Great Western & Chisolm Cattle Trails – SS5H1: Describe how life changed in America at the turn of the century., Section a. Describe the role of the cattle trails in the late 19th century; include the Black Cowboys of Texas, the Great Western Cattle Trail, and the Chisholm Trail.

8th Grade Program(s), GSE(s) met

De Soto Expedition – SS8H1: Evaluate the impact of European exploration and settlement on American Indians in Georgia, Section c. Evaluate the impact of Spanish contact on American Indians, including the explorations of Hernando DeSoto.

Deer Skin Trade – SS8H2: Analyze the colonial period of Georgia’s history, Section e. Give examples of the kinds of goods and services produced and traded in colonial Georgia.

Loyalists & Patriots – SS8H3: Analyze the role of Georgia in the American Revolutionary Era, Section c. Analyze the significance of the Loyalists and Patriots as a part of Georgia’s role in the Revolutionary War.

  • Civil War Navy/Blockade – SS8H5: Analyze the impact of the Civil War on Georgia, Section b. Explain Georgia’s role in the Civil War; include the Union blockade of Georgia’s coast.

10th Grade World History Program(s), GSE(s) met

500 Years of Rome in Britain – SSWH3: Examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE/BC to 400 CE/AD, Section c. Analyze the impact of Greek and Roman culture, politics, and technology.

Hadrian’s Wall: Daily Life for a Legionary and His Family in Roman Britain –  SSWH3: Examine the political, philosophical, and cultural interaction of Classical Mediterranean societies from 700 BCE/BC to 400 CE/AD, Section c. Analyze the impact of Greek and Roman culture, politics, and technology.

The Battle of Hastings Changes the Medieval World – SSWH7: Analyze European medieval society with regard to culture, politics, society, and economics, Section a. Explain the manorial system and feudal relationships.

The De Soto Expedition of 1540 – SSWH10: Analyze the causes and effects of exploration and expansion into the Americas, Africa, and Asia, Section a. Explain the roles of explorers and conquistadors.

  • World War II: Our Red Army Ally – SSWH19: Demonstrate an understanding of the global political, economic, and social impact of World War II, Section c. Analyze the impact of the military and diplomatic negotiations between the leaders of Great Britain, the Soviet Union, and the United States.

9th-12th Grade Literature and World History Program(s), GSE(s) met

A Muse of Fire 1: Beowulf’s Mead Hall & Monsters – ELAGSE9-10L5/ELAGSE9-10RL10/ELAGSE11-12L5/ELAGSE11-12RL10 & SSWH7/SSWH9.

A Muse of Fire 2: Chaucer’s Road to Canterbury – ELAGSE9-10L5/ELAGSE9-10RL10/ELAGSE11-12L5/ELAGSE11-12RL10 & SSWH7/SSWH9.

  • A Muse of Fire 3: Shakespeare’s Soldiers – ELAGSE9-10L5/ELAGSE9-10RL10/ELAGSE11-12L5/ELAGSE11-12RL10 & SSWH7/SSWH9.

Other topics can be developed on request.

MUSEUM THEATRE/PERFORMANCE 

First person, in character performances of real life figures from US history are available to engage, educate, and entertain students while demonstrating that these people were real people with real stories. Below are some of the characters available:

1st Grade Character(s), GSE(s) met

  • Thomas Jefferson (SS1H1).

2nd Grade Character(s), GSE(s) met

  • James Oglethorpe (SS2H1).

4th Grade Character(s), GSE(s) met

  • George III (SS4H1).
  • George Washington (SS4H1).
  • Thomas Jefferson (SS4H1).

Benedict Arnold (SS4H1).

Patrick Henry (SS4H1and SS4H2).

Paul Revere (SS4H1).

Lewis & Clark (SS4H3).

  • Abraham Lincoln (SS4H5).

8th Grade Character(s), GSE(s) met

  • James Oglethorpe (SS8H2).

Lyman Hall (SS8H3 & SS8H4).

Andrew Jackson (SS8H4).

Samuel Worcester (SS8H4).

  • Abraham Lincoln (SS8H5).

9th & 10th Grades Character(s), GSE(s) met

George Washington and His Farewell Address (ELAGSE9-10R19).

  • Abraham Lincoln and the Gettysburg Address (ELAGSE9-10R19).

Other characters can be developed on request.

Living History Consultation

Whether for film, television, theatrical, web based productions or developing programs for classroom, History Now can advise and consult on historic content covering two thousand years (!) of history. From the Roman Republic to World War Two, knowledge of and material culture reproductions can help bring your project to fruition.

Following is a selection of organizations History Now!/Mr. Johnston has worked with, consulted with or performed with:

  • The Smithsonian – American History Museum
  • The Smithsonian – National Portrait Gallery
  • The Smithsonian – National Archives
  • Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
  • George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate
  • Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello
  • James Madison’s Montpelier
  • Association of Living History Farms and Museums conference at Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage – Nashville TN
  • English Heritage – United Kingdom
  • National Civil War Naval Museum
  • Atlanta History Center
  • Midwest Open-air Museum Coordinating Council conference at Heritage Hill – Green Bay WI
  • The History Channel
  • The Food Network
  • National Geographic Television
  • PBS