Heritage Matters

NEWS OF THE NATION’S DIVERSE CULTURAL HERITAGE HERITAGE MATTERS NOVEMBER 2001 cultural genesis of the communities for the conference by Judith Carney, that use the lesson plan. “Rice, Slaves, and Landscapes of Changing Perceptions Cultural Memory,”(*) we added new of the American Cultural The lesson plan detailed the South’s content, demonstrating the long history Landscape growing reliance on slave labor and the of skilled rice cultivation in West Africa steps involved in South Carolina rice Theresa Campbell-Page that preceded the settlement of South cultivation. Based on an essay written National Conference of State Historic Carolina. Furthermore, the lesson now Preservation Officers Recent scholarship presented at the “Places of Cultural Memory: African Reflections on the American Landscape” conference,in Atlanta,Georgia,encour- aged Teaching with Historic Places (TwHP) to take another look at our lesson plan,“When Rice Was King.”TwHP,a program of the National Register of Historic Places,offers a series of more than 70 online lessons for teachers of history and other subjects. The Atlanta conference developed out of the realization that little was known about African cultural heritage in the United States. Likewise, while our lesson plan described the labor Africans contributed to the emerging eighteenth century American agricultural econo- my, it did not acknowledge prior African expertise in rice cultivation. Information from the conference inspired us to revise the lesson’s focus to include the examination of the The map illustrates inland and Tidewater rice systems used near the origins of rice production and the Cooper River, South Carolina. Courtesy of Richard Porcher. Floodgates on a Carolina tidal plantation, c. 1920, allowed fresh water in to irrigate the rice beds. Courtesy of the Charleston Museum. National Park Service Activities National Park page 1 specifies similarities between the The question asked in many different American University are project methods used in West Africa and ways at “Places of Cultural Memory” co-leaders. Together with other NPS South Carolina, such as the successful Understanding and conference was: what should we do members, S. Terry Childs, Clarenda tidal production method, which Preserving Africanisms with this information? The underlying Drake, Doris Fanelli,Antoinette Lee, required manipulation of tidal flows to in the USA theme of a need for confluence of aca- Cynthia Salter-Stith, Mark Scheopfle, attain high levels of productivity in Brian D. Joyner demic scholarship and historic preser- and Fredrick York, they bring expertise flood plains of rivers and streams. Cultural Resources Diversity Initiative vation seems to be the answer, in addi- in ethnography, cultural resource plan- tion to use of the materials in the ning, management and interpretation, Carney asserts that African-born slaves development of heritage tourism historic preservation, web design, provided the critical expertise that The “Places of Cultural Memory: opportunities. The National Park online education methodologies and made South Carolina rice cultivation African Reflections on the American Service seeks to use the conference African American cultural heritage. successful. Questions accompanying Landscape” conference took place May papers and subsequent publications to the reading make the lesson plan users 9–12, 2001 in Atlanta, Georgia. The The CWG also includes six university- assist in disseminating the conference consider slave contributions to agricul- conference brought together academic based anthropologists: Mario Gonzales contents. Hard copies of the conference tural advances and the effect this had scholars and historic preservationists (Southwestern University), Stephen papers are available through the on the institution of slavery.Additional to explore Africanisms—aspects of Gregory (Columbia University), Pensiri Cultural Resources Diversity Initiative questions ask students to consider African heritage—in the built environ- Ho (American University),Arlene program of the National Park Service; whether slaves were given credit for ment in the Americas.Approximately Torres, (University of Illinois), Lok CD electronic copies are available over the the experience and knowledge they 200 people participated in the land- Siu (New York University) and Rosita Initiative’s website: www.cr.nps.gov/crdi. brought to rice cultivation. mark event. Worl (University of Alaska). Complet- For more information or to receive hard copies ing the group’s membership are John Further revisions include an activity to Over the course of the conference, of the papers, contact Brian Joyner, 202/343- Franklin and Olivia Cadaval, Center for enhance appreciation of multicultural speakers with interdisciplinary per- 1000, or e-mail [email protected]. Folklife and Cultural Heritage, contributions to different areas. Lesson spectives addressed African cultural Smithsonian Institution; Sandy Hoa plan users research various cultures in heritage in the Americas. Joseph E. Dang, social activist and cultural per- their community, e.g.,Where did they Harris of Howard University opened Teaching About African former; Marianna Blagburn, public come from? What skills did they bring the conference with a global perspec- American Heritage anthropologist; and Diane Dale, com- to the area? They look for evidence tive on the African Diaspora. Robert Preservation and munity historian. These group mem- representing their influence, discuss Farris Thompson of Yale University Ethnographic Resources bers bring expertise in the cultures of similarities and differences of the addressed reflections of African culture Online Native Alaskans,African Americans, groups, and conclude which one has throughout the arts of the New World. Audrey L. Brown Asian Americans, and Hispanic the most influence today. These opening presentations were followed by thematic sessions on the Cultural Anthropologist Americans. Finally, we added supplementary Archeology & Ethnography Program diaspora, agricultural lifeways and On January 7–10, 2002, the CWG will resources so lesson plan users could technology, cultural landscapes, and The Archeology & Ethnography (A&E) participate in a Curriculum Develop- further explore this topic. Changing the urban and rural communities. Program and the Stephen T.Mather ment workshop at the Sumner School lesson became a useful exercise in Training Center are co-sponsoring In his comments on the session, in Washington,DC.Miki Crespi,Chief keeping our materials current. New development of a distance learning “Agricultural Lifeways and Technolo- Ethnographer, will conduct a session evidence presented in the lesson will course entitled “African American gies,”Ted Landsmark of the Boston called “Ethnographic Resources: What help users examine the complex role of Perspectives on Heritage Preservation Architectural Center crystallized the Are They,Whose Are They and Why slave labor in America, while highlight- and Stewardship of Ethnographic spirit of the conference. Landsmark Are They Important in Park Planning, ing the influence of African cultural Resources.”The course will be a model stated that much on this topic was Management, and Interpretation?”Tony heritage on the American landscape. for an online course series:“Multicul- already known and available in print. Knapp, Program Manager, Cultural tural Heritage Preservation and Stew- For more information on Teaching with Historic However, it was time for preservation- Resources Stewardship Career Field, ardship of Ethnographic Resources.” Places, visit our website at www.cr.nps.gov/ ists to take advantage of this scholar- will facilitate the discussions proceed- nr/twhp. To read the “When Rice Was King” Under the coordination of Audrey L. ship and use it in preservation and ing the session. The intent is to provide lesson plan, visit www.cr.nps.gov/ Brown, the courses are being devel- nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/3rice/3rice.htm. cultural heritage efforts in their National Park Service staff with a oped by the Curricula Work Group communities. greater competency in managing and * Judith Carney, “Rice, Slaves, and (CWG), to provide National Park interpreting these resources in Landscapes of Cultural Memory,” in Places of “Places of Cultural Memory” also Service staff with a greater competency consultation with culturally diverse Cultural Memory: African Reflections on the addressed the preservation concerns in in managing and interpreting these American Cultural Landscape, Conference communities. Proceedings, May 9–12, 2001, Atlanta, the Gullah/Geechee community of resources and in consultation with Park staff and others with expertise in Georgia (Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department South Carolina and the African Burial other kinds of communication with Pacific Islander, Asian American, Hispanic of the Interior, National Park Service, 2001). culturally diverse communities. Ground project in New York City. Each American, or Native Alaskan cultures who of the sessions highlighted historic The CWG was formed to develop wish to participate may contact Audrey Brown preservation efforts and discussed at [email protected]. courses for the online series. John areas of conflict between community Hale, Superintendent, National Capital needs, commercial desires, and govern- Parks-East and Brett Williams, Chair- mental involvement. person, Department of Anthropology, page 2 HERITAGE MATTERS NOVEMBER 2001 Museum. Students also toured the Shaw Charleston, South Carolina. During my neighborhood,

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