The Detroit times., 1917-11-21
Study Local History
w ~. ADDINCT0N DRUCU
Author ot Tho Riddle OF Person
atty" Psychology and
parrnthood etc.

What do you know about The his
tory of Che eround ON which your
home stands
To what extent are you familiar
with the historic past ~ the general
locality whore you live and DO bust.
ness
ask these questions because /
nave observed that many men sell
dom rite a Thoughts 90 local history
some tho they may havo liyod years
20 q place. are ignorant OF even its
principal historic landmarks
Their excuse Is that they are too
busy tQ think of the past Their
personal affairs arc varied and
urgent and demand all their atten
tion
Let The past take care OF Itself is
what they virtually say. Living I'm
tho present their thought and effort
must be- FOR the present.
Fhis sounds plausible. But the
fact il that familiarity with the past
makes for better and more effective
achievement in the present
Even from sOrdidly selfish.
Observation-Disclosures point OF view. this
holds true.
Tho man who "a intent only on
m sIns money will ind his money
making ability Increased thru cult
walton 0t au interest Ia history. and
particularly 'he history OF bis home
GOWN
Reading about he history OF this
street and that this building and
Nat. learning 20 look az the present
thru fhe eyes az the historian. his
Imagination VIII be vigorously stim-
uated
New mental images Will rise IN
his mind whenever ne visits A place
fhaf has a historic background which
is known 20 hm This will uncon.
sr.ously deve'0p ga him greater
mental creatiFeuees with regard 20
anything on which pc concentrates
attention
And greater mental creativeuess
Is obviously ~ advantage In all
money making activities
nut. Ear better while increasing
money making power. the study OF
local history viii tend 20 loosen the
grip &c fhe lEnohle money
ideal and ~ foster sentiments ~
patriotic. altruistic citizenship.
Thls BE- fhe Kind ~ citizenship al
ways needed, aud never more need
eG han it is today
For ours Is an age Of stupendols
problems
There 81 the problem % the great
waf There Is The problem of social
unrest There ls The problem % The
economic pressure that has steadily
increased with the growth OF cities.
study 81 local history viii help
fhe student 20 appreciate more clear
~ the frem endous change ia loca!
living conditions between the past
and no present
n VIII help him % appreciate that
the men 10 fhe past had their own
problems. which they solved ONLY
thru fforgetting. cooperative e.
FOR, FOR Tho common good
md ~ VIII help rouse In him a
real desire 20 Do his part IN helping
70 solve mo more urgent and seri-
oas problems O, tho present For
ho wiil appreciate. AS never before,
tha peffiness ~ his personal ambi.
uons in comparison with tho social
need
The study ~ local history. then.
o. tonic which I would prescribe
for all who are ALPHABETICALLY self
centred IN this period OF national
Stress
10 you know any such people talk
local history 20 them
Get Them more interested IN using
leisure moments 20 become &C
0galnfed with tho heroic figures and
hIsforlc places ~ other days This
wil really count for something IN
squirting them 20 live and strive and
sacrifice as en- good citizens should