What’s more important: the storyteller, the story or the telling of it?

I am obsessed — maybe possessed — by the essence of history in all its forms be they personal, communal or institutional. Simultaneously, my personal and professional strategies for successful development in any forum — personal, communal or institutional — are predicated on the “here and now.” Is that a contradiction in terms? Can one advocate for the preservation of what was and be a progressive thinker?

Some might question the successful meshing of these two values; not exactly an oxymoronic state of mind, yet there is little doubt it could give cause to conflicted thinking.

Better minds than mine have seen fit to dismiss the merits of preservation whether it be of a culture, historic building, tradition or segment of the environment explaining that such a mindset impedes progress by holding onto archaic ways.

On the flip side of that ideology are those of equal intelligence that would give their all to maintain or reinstate “what was” despite its true merits, clinging to an often distorted notion of historic reality.

There is a happy medium and I intend to find it.

With your indulgence, I will spend at least a couple of columns wrestling with this apparent contradiction in philosophy. Maybe, just maybe, some useful thoughts, as with the proverbial cream, will rise to the top. What becomes of these thoughts will be part of the discovery.

In the spirit of simplicity, let’s consider the definition of history to be something that has occurred before now. As residents of the present, we will concern ourselves with three components; history itself which we will call the “story,” the “storyteller” and the method of “the telling.”

What is more important the storyteller, the story itself, or the telling of it? A strong case can be made for each component. Perhaps, one is not more important than the other, but rather that the merit lies in the combinations. Assume no intent of priority in the order of presentation; it is simply that one has to begin somewhere.

Next week will begin the trilogy with an examination of “the story.” In the meantime, consider a few examples of stories such as the one your grandmother has told more times than you can remember or the marvelous HBO seven–part series about John Adams. As you contemplate these stories, think on the following:

Is the story important?

Who benefits from hearing or accessing the story? Hint: personal, family, citizenry (local or national) or global.

What is the benefit of the knowing?

Assuming the story is important, how would you preserve it?

Enjoy your thinking.

Until next week.

Zann Miner, former director of the Museum of Culpeper History, can be reached at or write Zann Miner c/o the Culpeper Star Exponent 471 James Madison Hwy. Suite 201 Culpeper, VA 22701.