From where I am sitting, in an office overlooking the Boston Harbor, I can see a replica of the HMS Beaver, part of the Boston Tea Party Museum. It's closed for the season, but when the weather warms up, the boat will be teeming with school groups and tourists. Never having been to the museum, I can't vouch for its validity. All I know is that when I walk by, there are usually groups of kids wearing yellow "Indian" feathers in their hair, and throwing roped tea crates over the side of the boat. I don't know about the Mohawks, but my Wampanoag friend gets insulted every time he hears the "war whoops." I wonder what version of history the museum is teaching. Somehow I doubt it's terribly accurate. As a fellow museum professional and self-styled historian, it bothers me when organizations water down history to make it palatable and entertaining to children. Frankly, I rather preferred learning the nasty truths behind so-called proper history.

I should go visit the Tea Party Museum one of these days to sow the seeds of dissent...

Jigger