In our view, people often tend to believe what is real or genuine if they can actually see or even touch things that are connected to what they’re experiencing or learning.

An ideal opportunity for such is the Heritage Day shindig, which is scheduled for tomorrow, Sept. 9, from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m., in the Heritage Village/Agriculture & Forestry Museum at 26315 Heritage Lane, Courtland.

You can indeed see and, in many instances, touch objects or participate in demonstrations that were once a regular part of your grandparents and older ancestors’ lives. Farm and milling equipment, a school room, doctor’s office, barbershop, cows, a printing press and model trains will be among the many sights at the event.

True, they have nowhere near the level of sophistication of today’s machinery or technology. But aren’t those things of today somewhat overrated?

If nothing else, you can gain an appreciation for what you have now, as well as a respect for what came before. Events such as Heritage Day can connect a person to the past.

Since science fiction-style of time travel is still fiction — thank goodness — we must content ourselves with available artifacts and documents.

The event is also a great way to reconnect with friends or family you’ve not seen in awhile, possibly since last year.

Come on out and experience your past — your heritage — for yourself.

To learn more ahead of time, Lynda Updike of the Southampton County Historical Society invites you to contact her at 654-6785 or at updikes@earthlink.net. You can also visit the paper’s website at www.thetidewaternews.com and look for “Heritage Day will have something for everyone.”