Bryant School's Living History Museum Expedition

Students become their favorite characters from history

Video and Still Images by Gary Olsen

he thing about history at Bryant School these days is... it's not exactly like school. It's more performance art... a project, an expedition, a work of visual art, all wrapped up in one stunning package. The students at Bryant outdid themselves as they portrayed figures "that made a difference," part of their history curriculum that has made Bryant somewhat famous in the District. Who can forget the Native American ceremonial pageant, or the Adventures of Lewis and Clark musical? In this fine historical tradition, we bring you "The Living Museum!"

Imagine that you are in a museum, and you walk up to an attractive display, and you see a button. You press it, and suddenly Martin Luther King, or George Washington, or Eleanor Roosevelt, come to life and tell you a little something about themselves. The great Native American, Black Elk tells you about his visions, his stint as a medicine man, his tour with a Wild West show, and his quest for peace with the white man. The Wright Brothers tell you how their tinkering and experimental business ventures lead up to the airplane. It's like Disney World only if Munchkins did it. Meet the kids, their historical counterparts, their parents and teachers in this delightfully entertaining video.

Instructions are below on how to make your Web browser a TV set. Cool or what? Oh, and don't forget to click on the photos for enlargements. Another way the Dubuque School District serves our customers... FREE PHOTOS! Don't thank us... thank your kids for being photogenic.