And Liberty for all...
Courage is not a name
generally associated with nineteenth century farmsteads. However, when a handful of
African American families settled in rural, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio in the early years
of the nineteenth century--in those decades leading up to America's Civil War, their
courage in making this historic decision to live freely among their white neighbors is
truly awe inspiring. Archaeologists in Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio are working at
uncovering the stories of these courageous souls. Through a variety of means including
Historic Black College and University Comprehensive Grants from the Washington Office
Civil Rights Program, Passport in Time, and Challenge Cost Shares, with public
universities, these archaeologists are delving into the murky past to unearth the story of
these amazing people--to bring their story to light and life.
![group of students and archaeologists](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081027042835im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/images/historical/lick_creek/group.jpg) |
In the process of telling
the story of these long buried communities, these archaeologists are also training
a new and different generation of archaeologists (members of the team including volunteers
are shown here). |
There are currently only twenty
African American archaeologists in the country. This number includes archaeologists
employed by the state and federal government, private consultants, as well as academic
institutions. Offering opportunities to work in heritage resources on Forest Service lands
is a real opportunity to discover what career opportunities are available in natural
resource management in federal agencies. These projects are designed to encourage and
provide educational opportunities for students not traditionally included, or involved in
Forest Service programs. The diversity of heritage resource activities on the Shawnee,
Hoosier and Wayne National Forests includes oral history, archival research and
archaeological excavations that will be combined to form National Register of Historic
Places (NRHP) nominations for each site or community. This employment opportunity provides
an excellent opportunity for challenging and unique on-the-job training as well as an
exciting work and research experience. An example is finding two pieces of printing type
at the Riley Williams farmstead in the middle of the Shawnee National Forest! To think
that they may have been used to print anti-slavery tracts! |
Working with young African American history
students also interjects new ideas and insights into Heritage Resource Management from
those with non-traditional Forest Service backgrounds. |
![group of students at work](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081027042835im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/images/historical/lick_creek/volunt.jpg) |
In telling the story of these courageous people, students and archaeologist alike have
become part of the story. These archaeologists and the Forest Service have the ability to
unearth the story of these people with our shovel and our trowels. We also have the
responsibility to tell the story of these freedom seekers. We need to find out whether
these folks settled in these border communities near the Ohio River in order to help other
freedom seekers along the Underground Railroad.
Archaeologists and students have just begun to investigate the relationship between
these black settlements such as Miller Grove, Lick Creek, Poke Patch and Paynes Crossing
and the Underground Railroad, as they struggle to grasp the dangers involved in belonging
to this secret society of "conductors" and "friends" surrounded by
southern sympathizers and copper heads.
The students have learned to read the archaeological record like a storybook. They open
the book and with each turn of a page, each artifact jumps out at you; each artifact is a
word, and each foundation stone a chapter. Working with the Forest Archaeologist, they
have learned to dig in the libraries and courthouses as well as the dirt. They have
entered data in the computer system, honed written and oral communication skills, and
learned how to make decisions by working with the Forest staff. They have also learned
about the laws governing heritage resources and why it is important to preserve the
stories contained in the soil of sites like Miller Grove, Lick Creek and Paynes Crossing.
They have learned that this isn't just the story of one people, it is the story of us all.
It was not just the Quakers that made the Underground Railroad; it was not just the
Presbyterians, Methodists, Congregationalists or the American Missionary Association; it
was not just people like Harriet Tubman and Harriet Beecher Stowe; this is also the story
of all of the anonymous people that labored in silence and secrecy to help friends in
need.
In telling the story, students and
archaeologist alike have become part of the story. The story goes on, until it is
difficult to tell the storyteller from the story. |
![student and supervisor on a dig](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20081027042835im_/http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/images/rec_files/sarah_arthur.jpg) |
Is the story the one
that details the life of the Millers of Miller Grove or the Paynes of Paynes Crossing, or
is it the story of young black students being given the opportunity to contribute to our
nation's history and the liberty to have more choices about their future? |
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