Davenport House Museum Volunteer Newsletter

September 2020 www.davenporthousemuseum.org 912/236-8097 Become a Facebook fan, follow us on Instagram and Twitter

Twenty Dollars Reward! cumstances of honor, respect and decency, Died on Saturday the 9th instant, in the Was stolen from subscriber, his HAT, on which afflicts hearts may desire. But 18th year of her age, Mrs. Jane, the consort the night of the 10th inst. from the window should these suggestions be disregarded, of Mr. John W. Reynolds of Burke County. his dwelling, in William-street, with a and processions continued as usually, By this dispensation, an infant is bereft of Memorandum Book, containing Notes, their order of solemnity shall not be inter- mother, and a husband of an amiable, ten- Due Bills, and other papers, a 1 – 8th of a fered with by a concourse of blacks, at- der, and affectionate wife. What adds to Lottery Ticket, No. 5469, in the National tracted on these occasions by a merely this afflicting circumstance is, that she

Lottery, and 11 dollars in Bank bills. The idle curiosity. Their noise, conduct and was cut off by poison, administered by a above reward will be given for the thief manners, evincing any other feelings than female domestic. and property – or if the book and papers that of sympathy. The Marshal is hereby Savannah Daily Republican. September 23, 1820. are returned, so that I can get them again, directed, which apprised of a procession they may have the money. about to take place, to adopt such Weight of Great Characters WM. PEARCE. measures, with the aid of the other police August 18, 1783 Savannah Daily Republican. September 3, 1820. officers as may be the best calculated to Weighed at the Scale at West Point General Washington, 209 lbs. disperse all idle and disorderly blacks and General Lincoln, 224 COFFEE people of color, who may be found near, or General Knox, 280 For sale by attending General Huntington, 132 R. & J. Habersham THOS. U. P. CHARLTON General Greaton, 166 Savannah Daily Republican. September 9, 1820. Mayor Colonel Swift, 219

Savannah Daily Republican. September 16, 1820. Colonel Michael Jackson, 252 In Dr. Rush’s account of the Yellow Fever, Colonel Henry Jackson, 238 of 1793, is the following passage. “I am Detect the Villain! Lieutenant Colonel Huntington, 232 disposed to believe GARLIC was the only A Man who called himself John M. Lieutenant Colonel Cobb, 186 substance that was in any degree useful in Grason, of Emanuel County, in this State, Lieutenant Colonel Humphreys, 221 preventing it. I met several persons who sold me a negro man by the name of BOB, The above memorandum was found in the chewed in constantly, and who were much about 23 years of age, stout well made, 5 pocket of a deceased officer of the Massa- exposed to the miasmata, without being feet 9 or 10 inches high, his complexion is chusetts line. infected. All other substances seemed to a little yellow – he remained with me but Curiosity respecting the form, physiogno- do harm by begetting a false confidence 4 days – had on when he went away and my, and stature of eminent men is univer- in the mind, to the exclusion of more ra- old blue broad cloth coat, a new pair of sal; biographers usually attempt to gratify tional preservations.” – Vol. iii, pa. 153. copperas pantaloons, a striped vest, and a their readers by detailing all such minute Demo Press tolerable good felt hat. He is a keen circumstances—yet, who knows the Savannah Daily Republican. September 9, 1820. shrewd fellow, and finds ready answers weight of General Bonaparte, or the Duke

when spoken to, says he was raised by of Wellington? Those who read their Police Office John Alfreind, Scriven County. From the biography would be gratified to know September 15, 1820. short time the negro stayed with me, I am the cubic inches and exact dimensions If it could possibly comport with that re- induced to believe he was conveyed away of the clay tenements occupied by spect we owe to the dead, large funeral by the said John M. Grason. I will give such martial spirits. processions ought to be dispensed with. One Hundred Dollars reward for the ap- The average weight of these eleven dis- By attending them, and sometimes at im- prehension of said Grason and negro, or proper hours at this season, we may have tinguished revolutionary officers, is 214 fifty dollars for either, if confined in any to mourn over the loss of some precious lbs., and exceed, we think that of an equal jail, where I can get hold of them. number of any other nation. Salem Gaz. lives. Religious ceremonies can be per- WILLIAM DAVIS formed at the house or residence of the Savannah Daily Republican. September 30, 1820. Twiggs County, Sept. 10 deceased, and the subsequent internment Savannah Daily Republican. September 23, 1820. can also be conducted with all the cir- ————————————— DAVENPORT HOUSE CALENDAR are able to work now as well as those over the Missouri Compromise – will September 2020 who keep in contact and engaged be mixed with household concerns Thursday, September 3 at 1 p.m. through Covid-19 while staying away including the loss of the Davenports’ Docents; 6 p.m. JIs – 1820 physically. Thank you! spiritual leader, births and deaths and House training - Remarkable class: We were not coping with societal factors beyond Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. sure we could offer an adult Docent their control. “We want visitors to – 1820 House training for Junior Training Class this summer. We felt know that people in the past weath- Interpreters ready in August and nine fascinating ered hard times and had years like Thursday, September 10 at 1 p.m. women, mask-clad for come together, 2020. It is interesting to see how oth- Docents – 1820 House training in person to learn the DH story. ers have maneuvered crises,” said Mu- Tuesday, September 15 at 11 a.m. – Thanks to the August 2020 DH Do- seum Director, Jamie Credle. Davenport House Committee cent Training Program participants - Daily tours begin at 10 a.m. and are Thursday, September 17 at 1 p.m. Beth Brooks, Maddy Bryant, Shan- offered throughout the day on the Docents; 6 p.m. JIs – 1820 na Copeland, Heather DuCloux, half hour with the last tour beginning House training Heather Kelly-Swope, Patsy Krae- at 4 p.m. On Sunday, Museum hours Thursday, September 24 at 1 p.m. ger, Danielle Oke, Lizzy Rogers, begin at 1 p.m. In addition to docent- Docents; 6 p.m. JIs – 1820 and MacKay Wilford. Three are led tours, on Fridays during the House training SCAD graduate students, one attor- month of October the Museum will Monday, September 28 at 9:30 a.m. ney, two college professors, one de- provide a value-added experience fea- and at 4:30 p.m. – 1820 House signer, one English history scholar turing a living history interpreter who – in person walk through and an insurance account executive. will discuss the trials of the day. “We Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30 We hope they will be up and running are calling it Fire and Fever Fri- p.m. – Savannah Arts Academy Jun- as volunteer docents soon. days,” said assistant director, Jeff ior Interpreter Program Orientation - The next Docent Training Program Freeman. He will perform as Dr. Wednesday, September 30 from 9 will be offered in February 2021. William Waring. Raleigh Marcell to 3 p.m. – Shop Inventory will be Dr. William Coffee Daniell. - 4:30 p.m. – 1820 House – in INTERPRETATION: And, Jamie Credle is a character who person walk through will explain life’s transitions and

death. SHOP NEWS: - Shop inventory: The annual shop Docents are asked to adapt their tours inventory will take place on Wednes- to suit the information presented in day, September 30 from 9 a.m. until it September. Zoom invitations will be is done. Gaye will need help with the Tours and Videos sent for each week for specialized counting!! As a way of adding historical perspec- training. Adult docents may attend - Fire(place) Sale: See sale items in tive to current events, in October the the 1 p.m. calls via Zoom on Thurs- the shop fireplace. Good stuff cheap! Davenport House Museum will focus days and Junior Interpreters at 6 p.m. on the year 1820, a time of chaos and Adult docents are welcome to sit in at disarray not unlike 2020. Not only is 6 p.m. sessions if they cannot make this year the 200th anniversary of the the daytime calls. construction of the Davenport House, The training schedule is: it is also the anniversary of a colossal Thursday, September 3 at 1 p.m. municipal fire, a horrific yellow fever Docents; 6 p.m. JIs. Topic— epidemic, and an economic downturn The World of 1820 – Financial – the nation’s first. While emphasiz- Crisis, Fire ing parallels with today, house muse- Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. DOCENT NEWS: um tours will address the differences JIs; Thursday, September 10 at - Gratitude: The DH staff lives in in daily living during the time. Na- 1 p.m. Docents – Topic — Yel- gratitude to its docents – those who tional events – including the debate low Fever – Medicine – Mary Lavindar, Dr. Waring’s Report to Jamal Toure. WORTH MENTIONING: the City Council A new video of Yellow Fever will be Thursday, September 17 at 1 p.m. posted on social media each week. Docents; 6 p.m. JIs. Topic — The tentative schedule is - Slavery – Missouri Compromise, Fire – Thursday, October 1 Antelope Report to the City Council – Friday, Thursday, September 24 at 1 p.m. October 2 Docents; 6 p.m. JIs. Topics - Mary Lavindar – Friday, October 9 Family/Household – Kollock; View from Yamacraw – Friday, Oc- The Tour Experience tober 16 Docents and JIs may walk through Strange Moonlight – Friday, Octo- the house discussing the new interpre- ber 23 tation either on Monday, September Rev. Paschall Strong – Friday, Oc- 28 at 9:30 a.m., 4:30 p.m. or Wednes- tober 30 -HSF Photo Contest: The annual day, September 30 at 4:30 p.m. They HSF Photo Contest showcased terrif- should choose one to attend. SAVANNAH ARTS ACADEMY ic photos of Savannah. A crowd fa- Adapted room displays will be ex- JUNIOR INTERPRETERS: vorite was the DH rainy day reflection plained at that time. The DH begins the fifteenth year of by Jonathan Stalcup. Check out the the Savannah Arts Academy/ other winners at myHSF.org – photo Davenport House Museum Junior contest. Interpreter Program in September. -Junior Interpreters: Our in-person Orientation is tentatively planned for summer Junior Interpreter class pro- Tuesday, September 29 at 6:30 p.m. duced five new tour guides. Thank Alternate plans may be made if neces- you to Madeleine Pelli, Madison sary to keep it safe. A lottery will de- Roark, Fallin Swan, Leila Smith termine the teen participants who will and Samantha Yanes. They are out- October has traditionally been the learn to give tours of the DH during standing young people. time when the Davenport House pre- the fall. The class will meet on Tues- sents an in-person, after-hours living days in October and November with history program, Dreadful Pesti- the culminating activity on the Friday lence: Yellow Fever in Savannah. and Saturday of Thanksgiving break. While this is not possible in 2020 be- American History teacher Michael cause of the pandemic, the Museum is Johnson will recruit students from his venturing into virtual experiences and AP History Classes. will post a series of vignettes about - JIs Help!: We will need help from Yellow Fever 1820 throughout the veteran JIs with SAA JI Orientation month. Video productions are being on Tuesday, September 29 from 6 to made through a collaboration between 8 p.m. Let Jamie know if you can DH staff and our JIs from Savannah help. Arts Academy including Robin Les- - Fall tours: All of our prescheduled ke, Emma Madsen, and Hilmy DONATIONS IN AUGUST tour groups including Tauck Tours Rukmana. Big Hair Productions, Sue Bordenkircher in memory of groups have cancelled for the fall. professional videographers from Ma- Dick Bordenkircher Many have rescheduled for the spring. con, GA, is created Yellow Fever ExxonMobil Foundation Matching - Melanie Jordan: Welcome new shorts. DH performers are volunteers Gift Program/Diane & Dan HSF comptroller Melanie. She is including Gracen Belin, Jeff Free- Reitman working with Gaye and Jeff for clarity man, Emma Madsen, Bob Pretty- G. Dirk Hardison and best record keeping practices. man, Rebecca Robinson, and - SVF: We loved being featured in this year’s Savannah Voice Festival virtual season. The DH received a my family as much visiting those places shout-out during composer Michael as possible. FROM THE ADMISSIONS DESK Ching’s presentation and was fea- DH: What is your tured in a music video which is posted favorite thing During the month of August 2020, on the DH Facebook page. about the Daven- the Davenport House Museum saw port House? visitors from Alabama, California, Heather: There is Connecticut, Florida, Kentucky, Indi- so much!! I love the craftsmanship of ana, Idaho, Illinois, Kansas Louisiana, the house and how it hasn’t settled in Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, 200 years. The staircase banister isn’t Montana New York, Nevada, Ohio, loose! I also enjoy learning how the Texas, Tennessee, Virginia, Pennsyl- - Seeing Us Through: One of the people that lived in the house added vania, Utah, North Carolina, North ways the DH is managing the pan- to its history and create a bigger pic- Dakota South Carolina. We hosted demic is grant funding and program ture of the Museum’s story. international guests from Russia. Our sponsorships. HSF colleagues Sue DH: What’s the most unusual Georgia guests came from places such Adler and Megan Kerley are leading thing that has ever happened to as Athens, Atlanta, Cartersville, Jesup this work on the Museum’s behalf. you at the DH? and Statesboro. Know - Funding has been provided by Heather: Nothing unusual has hap- —————————- Georgia Humanities and the National En- pened yet, I haven’t been here very The following neat and novel toasts were dowment for the Humanities as part of the long. But my mind did start playing drank in Shawnee Town, in Illinois, on the 4th CARES Act economic stabilization plan of tricks on me while I was in the attic. of July last: 2020. Thank you, Megan, Sue and the DH: How long have you been in GCH and NEH. Savannah? The Fair Sex – Though partial to no particular Heather: I have lived in the Savan- state but that of matrimony, they are always INTERN SPOTLIGHT nah area since 2014. While visiting in ready to promote union and good feelings. Heather Kelly-Swope 2013, I called my husband and told Agriculture – May the honest man who put DH: How did you him that I didn’t care how it hap- his hand to the plough never have his come to be associated pened, I wanted to move to Savannah. soul harrowed with cure. with the Davenport House? We were both in the Air Force and Domestic Manufactures – While our men Heather: I had visited the Daven- there were no positions available for make good husbands – our good women port House on several occasions with either of us so, the chances of moving good wives – our children good citizens – family and also as a SCAD student. prior to retirement were slim. I guess our good citizens good soldiers, we fear no On one of my visits, I asked Jamie it was meant to be, one year later the foreign competition. Credle if she was in need of an intern military moved me to Savannah. for the summer and she was. With DH: What is your favorite thing to The tars of Columbia, who paid all our debts COVID-19, many of my fellow stu- do in Savannah? to John Bull, by boarding for nothing. dents had their internships cancelled. I Heather: I love to walk around The Spanish needle work – His majesty quilt- feel very fortunate that I was able to downtown, look at the buildings and ed petticoats, and the ministers made work at the Museum this summer. learn the history of the area. shifts—but the people “put on right- DH: What do you do outside of DH: What are your plans for your eousness, and it clothed them.” the DH? future? The Times – Though hard times are plenty – Heather: After retiring from the Heather: After I finish my degree, I and hard money scarce, let us not com- USAF, I took a little time to decide would like to work in cultural re- plain while we have whiskey for our what I wanted to do. I am now pursu- source management. I want to docu- friends and gunpowder for our enemies. ing my MFA in Architectural History ment and protect our historical places Savannah Daily Republican. September 5, 1820. at SCAD. I also volunteer with the while interpreting their cultural signifi-

Richmond Hill Historical Society and cance. Also, my travel bucket list Museum. And, I go scuba diving with keeps growing so I would like to start Pandemic Month 6: Reflections on Matters – and What Matters.

The pandemic is the backdrop for the of the 1960s. A diverse cross-section of moment in time. Please know, the world right now with many collateral Americans has taken to the streets, despite DH staff is extremely thankful to do- concerns – violence, protests and eco- the risks posed by the COVID-19 pandem- cents and Junior Interpreters who are nomic devastation – jolting our sensi- ic. Demands for the removal of monuments able conveyers of our site’s stories bility one after the other. When we commemorating people and events rooted in incorporating new materials without are not trying to get a grip, maybe the the repugnant ideology of white supremacy are wincing at its difficulty. social isolation gives us time to reflect again on the rise, and many history institu- As I listened to the webinar, I took in ways we would not normally if we tions are engaged in the painful but essential notes. The below are quotes from the could go about our business as we process of reckoning with the role racism presenters which reveal the message used to. DH people have availed played in their own individual histories. of the webinar. themselves of education and camara- Against this backdrop, preparations for derie through Zoom discussions – Steve from Alabama posed the ques- marking the 250th anniversary of the Amer- both formal and informal - with col- tion, “How do we respond, as white ican Revolution continue. How will this leagues far and near. Of particular Americans, to systemic racism?” renewed social justice movement impact the relish have been the conversations way history organizations commemorate this We at Alabama History and Archives staff, adult volunteers and Junior In- anniversary? How will it impact the ways in have to own up to our role in it. We terpreters have had – keeping in which Americans respond? What are the have to acknowledge and rectify with touch, catching up on museum/ opportunities for dynamic, transformative two truths of our institutional history: pandemic logistical changes, and engagement with audiences who seem eager to 1. Our role in undergirding The Lost learning new interpretive material. understand the past in more nuanced, inclu- Cause that has contributed to racism The virtual connectivity has given us a sive ways? How can traditional history or- down to today. sense of community and closeness ganizations reshape themselves to meet the 2. We declined to collect artifacts of even though we cannot touch each interests and needs of audiences now, in African American lives. other physically. One of the recent 2026, and beyond? And what will the legacy Along with changing what we collect educational calls was a webinar of- of the Semiquincentennial be--a continuation to tell the history of Alabama, we fered on August 22 by AASLH – of older, celebratory commemorations of the have made a statement of recommit- American Association for State and American Revolution, or the beginning of a ment which acknowledges our role in Local History, which is the national long-overdue reckoning with our complex, perpetuating the Myth of the Lost organization for public historians Cause and systemic racism. complicated past? practicing on the state and local level, entitled AASLH Conversations: "Black Lives Matter and (the American) How do current events impact Black Lives Matter and (the Amer- Revolution: Shaping the Legacy of 2026," planning for the 250th Anniversary ican) Revolution. Michelle Lanier (North Carolina Division of the American Revolution at your of State Historic Sites and Properties), No- sites? elle Trent (The National Civil Rights Muse- Noelle from NCRM in Memphis um), and Steve Murray (Alabama Depart- says: When we consider the 250th ment of Archives & History) will consider Anniversary, we need to present the the big issues of inclusive history and the story of the country itself and not just Semiquincentennial. the documents. The lived experiences define the nation’s history. Let’s pro- Its description reads: As “house museum folks” who are claim the stories of all the people of concerned with the everyday lives of The wave of anti-racist protests sweeping our shared past. As leaders of muse- people in the past, we cannot forget across the U.S. since the killing of George ums and historic sites let’s reassess the that we are engaged in a serious con- Floyd on May 25th has propelled issues of stories we tell and determine whose versation about American history. story is being overlooked. Include discrimination, police violence, and social Like it or not, antebellum house mu- those people. justice into the national spotlight with an seums are visible participants in the urgency that echoes the civil rights movement battle for cultural relevancy at this Steve from AL said the last few economic diversity as a way to con- Michelle from NC: Say their names! months have brought clarity to a cen- nect across space and time. Louder! tral philosophical question: What does it mean to be an American? It Wouldn’t it be fun if we shared our --- means liberty and equality. As doc- spaces making them mixed-use to Nancy, Bella, Jack, Jacob, Isaac, Polly, umenters and interpreters of the past, bring people in and feel a part of what Ned, Davy, Mary, Ann, Deeping, we explain historical truths knowing we do such as providing Wi-Fi Tom, Nancy, Peggy! that some people will not be ready to hotspots, a food pantry, a heritage seed library? Wouldn’t it be wonder- engage in a cultural reassessment of --- the Founders. It will be hard for ful if the anniversary brought the arts them. together on lands that have witnessed Two of the resources the AASLH much? It would be an uncommon presenters recommend to help us un- Noelle from TN says to consider opportunity to show how we work derstand how we got to this moment ceding power to the community or and what we want to preserve for the in time are the New York Time’s communities. Let them tell the sto- future. series 1619 and Isabel Wilkerson’s ries. Inclusion needs to be real and book, Caste: The Origins of Our Steven offered: As a public agency not a thin veneer. Have your commu- Discontents nities be invested through the curato- we are beholden to the taxpayer and rial process. We need to integrate our we have a responsibility to build skills Wilkerson was recently featured in a boards, staff, donors, funders, ven- in our state. Our fervent need is to NYT Review of Books profile. dors, scholars. restore history and civics education She was asked “Which subject do in public schools. They need to be at you wish authors would write All three scholars believe the nation the center of education. We are pay- about?” is in a period of reckoning. As time ing the price now for having pushed She said: “I wish we could see more passes, attention may wane and ,as it them to the periphery for the stake of books about the inner lives of every- does our sites will be held accountable standardized testing. It is our job to day people from marginalized groups for engagement or lack thereof. produce educated voters. This is our in our country – not the extremes of specific objective for the 250th Anni- either celebrity or pathology, but just In answering the questions about how versary. We will use this moment to regular working folks who make up, she would respond to conversations shift education. We are hitting the for instance, the great bulk of African- about race and racism, Noelle of- reset button and directing our energy Americans. People just going about fered, "I cannot be open and be a to creating an educated population their days and getting through the part of the conversation when my knowledgeable of the creation of the challenges of ordinary life do not get humanity is denied. I cannot engage if democracy and the responsibilities of anywhere near the attention they de- you cannot say Black Lives Matter." its citizenry. serve in the popular imagination. And their invisibility leads to distortions in Michelle from NC: As a public his- Noelle from TN: Out of this terrible how the entire group is seen, giving torian and folklorist, I look for what time, momentum is building for posi- the impression that people from brings people together. Food brings tive change. As practitioners we across the racial divide are more fun- people together. Food and foodways know that history is an ongoing con- damentally different than we actually are lessons of the land and from a versation. Now is the moment to are.” variety of different traditions. Pro- advance the cause of equality and grams should be about building rela- deep cultural questions about why Know that talking about daily life is tionships – through universals such as things are the way they are. Current significant! Maybe by sharing Nancy food - with our community. Look at events provide an urgency to our et al, and exploring their stories we can our diverse population. We should work that is powerful. People are in some way make them more than a never host a program without a per- listening. We know there is no finish- memory 200 years later. son of color and our one Black friend line. We will always have to deal with should not be expected to be the au- difficult times and issues. Let’s use thority on the totality of Black people. this time to advance the story of the Diversity is a good thing - generation- people. al diversity, gender diversity, socio-