- Published on
The "skeletons" of the UK keep reminding us of why we've made this huge move across the globe. We chose this life so we have the freedom to preserve memories and form our identities beyond the prescribed way of life.
Oxford, England
One of many antique shops
One of many antique shops
I recall when dad first retired, he would spend his days cycling to places around Singapore. He would take long bus rides from one end of the island to another. He would also come home and lament how the Singapore he knew is no longer around. He would tell us of the places he formed great memories at and how they have disappeared. I felt that it was his way of reconnecting with the land and his surroundings after more than 40 years of work that occupied so much of his time. But his attempt at reconnection only brought out a sad sense of disconnect. I was then only in my early 30s but his experience resonated deeply with me. So many places that defined my childhood have been torn down in favour of the newer and better. It explains my own disconnect with the supposed "home" country.
No one uses a telephone booth anymore but it is kept as part of the landscape for memory's sake.
Oxford City Centre
Since 1450. FIVE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THREE YEARS OLD. Still intact and in use today.
Old places, things and buildings give us a sense of stability in our identity and acts as a reference point for us. The sense of place forms our identities, sometimes personally and sometimes as a collective. When I first stepped foot in Britain and the rest of Europe, I observed how they have kept vast amounts of old buildings and archived artefacts in museums. You can find a museum for anything from transportation, space, natural history, art, science, astrology to lawnmowers. (There's really a British Lawnmower Museum in Southport!) Debra and I often laugh about how the Brits are such hoarders because they keep and preserve everything.
We visited Oxford for an afternoon last weekend and the realisation hit me like a freight train. These worthless "Skeletons" that are preserved do tell a story. That story is continuously told to generations and beyond if we preserve, display and teach about them. Museums, old buildings, old things and skeletons are important because they are depositories of our collective cultural and historical identities. They make us, us.
Preservation of heritage is not just a frivolous nostalgic exercise.
Warden's Lodgings, Oxford
Kebel College, Oxford
Wadham College, Oxford
Sheldonian Theatre/Exeter College, Oxford
It dawned upon me that these places we visit and form memories at will still exist when I'm long dead. Matthias could be walking into Oxford University Museum of Natural History in 2083 with his grandchildren, recounting his childhood running down the hall of a building opened in 1860 with his sister Gwyn. There in an instance, an invisible thread connects 4 generations, their memories and their ties with the land.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Oxford University Museum of Natural History (Entrance)
Ancient design with a modern twist
Just look at this architecture
We had a magical afternoon hearing the stories these skeletons and buildings of several hundred years speak to us. We know that we are all gaining knowledge, creating memories and forming our identities.
Sorting fossils and leaves
So special that the kids are allowed to hold and physically sort the fossils
Dinosaur detective!
Checking out the T-rex
All glories pass away.
Family!
It's an amusing sight isn't it? Two (formerly) ferocious creatures and a bunch of adorable kids enjoying themselves.
Some creatures can be quite frightening. Just glad they don't exist anymore....
You are just reminded how tiny and helpless we really are as a species without our gadgets. A little like Iron man?
Some of our more recent friends in skeleton form.
The sign said "touch me" so we felt a bear for the first time in our lives
the fox too...
Otters have the softest fur EVER.
Hanging out with the greats all around the hall. Statues do more than just decorate a space. They help generations remember people.
We were also excited to find some ancient Egyptian artefacts and other artefacts that helped us make sense of history. How did writing come about? What is embalming? It is one thing reading about it, it is another seeing, hearing, being physically present and touching something as a process of learning. Both kids were never fond of museums before we came to Britain. They are now excited about going to one because they make their books and Horrible Histories show come alive.
Irterau
He is most excited about having hearts weighed upon death to find out if the person was good or bad haha!
Who knows a few generations from now if we'd even be holding a pen to write anymore.
What are your thoughts? How important is preserving heritage to you?
We say, keep the skeletons (old buildings, places and artefacts too!) and let them speak wondrous stories to generations.