History

HISTORY

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Call for Proposals

AAAM Annual Conference

August 22-25, 2012, Baltimore, Maryland

AAAM’s Program Committee for its 2012 annual conference is seeking session proposals for presentation at its annual conference hosted by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture. Theme for this year’s conference is

Commemorating Struggles: Claiming Freedom

The years 2012–2015 mark a number of important moments in American history—the 150th anniversaries of the U.S. Civil War and the ratification of the 13^th Amendment, the 200^th anniversary of the War of 1812, and 50th anniversaries of a number of pivotal events that contributed to the American Civil Rights Movement, most notably the March on Washington in 2013.

The period from the end of slavery to racial integration contained numerous important benchmarks in America's history of pursuing its revolutionary ideals and the evolution of its most basic identity as a "free people." Yet, with few exceptions, embracing the American freedom narrative, including emancipation and civil rights histories, has often been a challenge for American museums and cultural institutions. Quite often these topics have been regarded as important primarily to African Americans history and considered extraneous to American history in general. Thus, with the calendar turning toward anniversaries of struggles associated with the Age of Emancipation, museums and cultural institutions are presented with opportunities—albeit replete with challenges.

It is our belief that African American museums, African Americans who are museum professionals, and African Americans among general museum audiences, all have roles to play in commemorating these seminal moments and can benefit from honest engagements focusing on these commemorations. We encourage interested parties to develop session proposals that address the theme of Commemorating Struggles: Claiming Freedom. Following are questions that maybe helpful in formulating session proposals:

How should museums programs seek to assess and meet the needs of audiences seeking to understand freedom?
What resources are needed and available to take up this work?
What impacts and outcomes are possible for the broadest understanding of the American freedom narrative and African Americans connection to it?
Should there be a specific perspective that African American museums should follow?
What approaches might African American professionals in mainstream institutions employ to move the story of African American history from the margins into a broader view?
How might African American museumgoers have their expectations as consumers of museum programming resonate with the greater museum community?
What types of educational instruction and programs are necessary in presenting African American history and culture?
What types of research and investigation are needed to document obstacles, challenges, struggles, and successes encountered by African Americans?
How might museums professionals work effectively to ensure that African American history is included and accurately reflected within the discourse of American history.

Session proposals are due by February 15, 2012 and should be submitted to Nona Martin, Program Committee Chair, at martin@blackmuseums.org or by faxing to 202-633-8535. Fill-in forms are available at www.blackmuseums.org (Conference Home Page). Questions related to session proposals can be directed to Nona at 202-633-8522.

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Slave Dwelling Project

Join Joseph McGill, Jr. as he chronicles spending the night in 28 extant former slave dwellings in 8 states throughout the United States.

Saturday, February 11, 2012

1:30 pm

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, Carriage House

3550 Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC

Lecture is Free and Open to the Public

Watch Night Service"The History: At the stroke of midnight on December 31, 1862, the new year was ushered in ... and at 12:01 AM, on January 1, 1863,ALL SLAVES IN THE CONFEDERATE STATES WERE DECLARED LEGALLY FREE.Many of you who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in churches on New Year's Eve. But are you aware of its history? The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. To 10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event. Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night Service was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro-Centric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church. Still, it was obvious that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night Service on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs... In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of African Americans linking a religious service to a secular holiday like New Year's Eve.However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations. The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings across the South on December 31, 1862, known at that time as, "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had actually become law.Then, at the stroke of midnight, it became January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free. When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joythroughout the South as people fell to their knees and thanked God.Ever since, Black folks have traditionally gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve, praising God for bringing us safely through another year, but many do not realize the historic value.It's been 145 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of the Watch Night Service, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate "how we got over."

Pass this information on so we can educate more of our Family and Friends about our History.

Gullah HistoryAfrican American culture in Beaufort County, South Carolina is synonymous with Gullah culture. This fascinating Gullah culture evolved with the arrival of slaves to the South Carolina coastal islands. Forced to survive under difficult circumstances in an unfamiliar environment, slaves used the knowledge and language they brought with them from Africa. African dialect and customs were merged with European dialect and customs to form Gullah – a hybrid of the two. Another school of thought is that slaves were brought here from a part of Africa known as Angola, resulting in them being known as Gullahs. All along the South Carolina coast, slaves and their descendents became known as Gullahs. The Gullah culture reflects the people, their language and their customs – everything from food gathering and preparation and beliefs in herbal medicines to basket-weaving and worshiping. Although not widely spoken, the dialect can still be heard among some elders in various coastal communities; or in stories shared among families. www.SCtreasuredcoast.com/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Gullah History Along the Carolina LowcountryThis book is a look back over time and events, at life as it once was, compared to today with its many changes due to development, etc. A documentation and artistic preservation of the history and culture of the Gullah People along the Carolina Lowcountry. A deep look at the lives, traditions, customs and experiences of the Gullah people along the Carolina Lowcountry, along the coastal areas and Sea Islands. A culture and people that have survived so many changes and displacements due to time and events, such as, the tremendous amount of development that has come to areas they once called home. Some communities that were isolated and tucked away way back in time decades ago are now seeing that the area they once called home for generations is now in great demand, for this is prime land that is now in great demand for development. The people have retained their culture and heritage as passed down to them for generations. A Gullah-Geechee culture that came from West Africa and passed down by Sea Island slaves to subsequent generations.

We have seen and are experiencing a living history, and may be living in a perpetual museum. The people are aware of their culture and traditions, and they are still living in these isolated areas by choice, just fulfilling their part in history, for each generation is a part of the Historic Living Museum. Their history comes alive within the pages of this book which includes illustrations and pictures by the author. A once in a lifetime experience that takes you back to the actual events that occurred so many years ago. This book is a Living Historic Museum that comes alive within the pages of this Truly Remarkable Book!About the AuthorThe author was born and raised in a historic old Riverfront Town along the Waccamaw River deep down in the southeast. He is the son of a Gullah chief from Sandy Island, S.C. (his father was the youngest Gullah chief in the history of Annie Village on Sandy Island). He spent many summers on the island as a young child growing up, and his experiences from those years has compelled him to come back to his roots now that he is retired, to record the history of the people and the area as seen from his perspective and vantage point.He is committed and dedicated to documenting and recording an artistic preservation of the history of a unique people and their culture, through art, writings, books, films, illustrations, etc. A glimpse into the customs habits and folkways of a unique people and their culture.The author is also an artist and painter, and lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 35 years. He also has a degree in accounting from San Francisco State University, and a JD degree from San Francisco Law School. He retired in June 2002 to devote full time to documenting his artistic preservation of, my people down home.

This book is a look back over time and events, at life as it once was, compared to today with its many changes due to development, etc. A documentation and artistic preservation of the history and culture of the Gullah People along the Carolina Lowcountry. A deep look at the lives, traditions, customs and experiences of the Gullah people along the Carolina Lowcountry, along the coastal areas and Sea Islands. A culture and people that have survived so many changes and displacements due to time and events, such as, the tremendous amount of development that has come to areas they once called home. Some communities that were isolated and tucked away way back in time decades ago are now seeing that the area they once called home for generations is now in great demand, for this is prime land that is now in great demand for development. The people have retained their culture and heritage as passed down to them for generations. A Gullah-Geechee culture that came from West Africa and passed down by Sea Island slaves to subsequent generations.We have seen and are experiencing a living history, and may be living in a perpetual museum. The people are aware of their culture and traditions, and they are still living in these isolated areas by choice, just fulfilling their part in history, for each generation is a part of the Historic Living Museum. Their history comes alive within the pages of this book which includes illustrations and pictures by the author. A once in a lifetime experience that takes you back to the actual events that occurred so many years ago. This book is a Living Historic Museum that comes alive within the pages of this Truly Remarkable Book!The author was born and raised in a historic old Riverfront Town along the Waccamaw River deep down in the southeast. He is the son of a Gullah chief from Sandy Island, S.C. (his father was the youngest Gullah chief in the history of Annie Village on Sandy Island). He spent many summers on the island as a young child growing up, and his experiences from those years has compelled him to come back to his roots now that he is retired, to record the history of the people and the area as seen from his perspective and vantage point.He is committed and dedicated to documenting and recording an artistic preservation of the history of a unique people and their culture, through art, writings, books, films, illustrations, etc. A glimpse into the customs habits and folkways of a unique people and their culture.The author is also an artist and painter, and lived and worked in the San Francisco Bay Area for over 35 years. He also has a degree in accounting from San Francisco State University, and a JD degree from San Francisco Law School. He retired in June 2002 to devote full time to documenting his artistic preservation of, my people down home.

Ordering InformationGullah History Along
The Carolina LowcountryThomas J. Pyatt Secure Transaction
or call toll free 1(800)247-6553

Price: $13.95

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136 pages | ISBN: 0-9767079-3-4

Explore the culture of an enduring people of the southern coast this Black History Month

Writer Wilbur Cross tells the little-known story of an enduring people and their heritage in a paperback edition of GULLAH CULTURE IN AMERICA. Learn about their influence over South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida during Black History Month.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GullahCulture

PRLog (Press Release) - Jan 06, 2012 -
Historian Joseph Opala knew he had made a remarkable discovery. It was 2004, some 15 years after he had helped to organize the first Gullah Homecoming based on links he had found between Gullah people in the United States and their ancestors in Sierra Leone. But now, Opala could trace an unbroken trail of documents for an African American family beginning with Priscilla, a 10-year-old girl brought to America from Sierra Leone 250 years ago, and ending with her direct descendant, Charleston resident Thomalind Martin Polite.

“Priscilla’ s Homecoming,” Polite’s subsequent journey to Sierra Leone, is where writer Wilbur Cross begins GULLAH CULTURE IN AMERICA. Now available in paperback, GULLAH CULTURE IN AMERICA presents an extensive record of the fascinating, yet too often overlooked, enclaves of African American descendants of slaves in South Carolina and Georgia. Though these communities existed long before the American Revolution, they remained largely hidden until the 1860s, when missionaries from Philadelphia founded Penn School to help freed slaves learn to read and write. Cross describes in great detail how, due to this long-term isolation, the Gullah were able to preserve the ancient traditions of their African ancestors.

Originally published by Praeger in 2007, GULLAH CULTURE IN AMERICA provides not only a detailed history of the Gullah but also a context for understanding what it means to “grow up Gullah.” In 12 colorful, engaging chapters, Cross introduces readers to all aspects of Gullah culture, including language, religion, food, music, and dance. He also provides insight into issues facing the more than 300,000 members of Gullah communities today, including the double-edged effects of modernization and assimilation and the difficulties and triumphs of efforts to preserve the culture in the present day.

Having lived on Hilton Head Island for 22 years, Cross has had the opportunity to learn firsthand about his Gullah neighbors. He incorporates his many interviews with members of the Gullah community into his text, frequently letting them tell the story of their people in their own words.

Wilbur Cross is the author or coauthor of more than 40 books on a wide range of subjects. He received a degree from Yale University and after almost four years of combat service in the Pacific during World War II started his career as a copywriter in a New York City advertising firm. He was an editor at Time Inc. for 10 years and is a member of the Authors Guild and the Time/Life Alumni Society. He lives on Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Media angles for reporters and editors in South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida:
1. Gullah Homecomings and the African Connection
In GULLAH CULTURE IN AMERICA , Wilbur Cross explains how researchers came to understand the connection between the Gullah and their African ancestors, from the discovery that the origin of the Gullah people in coastal South Carolina and Georgia could be traced to specific locations in Africa, to the late 1980s, when historian Joseph Opala began organizing the first of three “Gullah Homecomings” to Sierra Leone. Read more about Opala and his research here: http://yale.edu/ glc/gullah/index.htm.

2. Effects of Integration and Modernization
For years, Gullah communities were able to preserve their language and traditions because of their relative isolation from other groups. In the last several decades, however, outsiders have descended upon what were once predominately Gullah lands. With them have arrived commercial sites, many of them poorly planned and executed by developers who have profit in mind, rather than any thought of historic preservation. Cross warns against this imprudent use of forests and fields, emphasizing respect for the land and the longstanding culture that has been threatened.

3. Festivals and Celebrations
February – Gullah Celebration, Hilton Head Island, S.C.
Coinciding with Black History Month is the month-long Gullah Celebration, which includes De Aarts Ob We People XII Art Show & Sale, National Freedom Day Parade and Program, and the Gullah Film Fest Series. Read more at http://www.gullahcelebration.com/ .

May – The Original Gullah Festival, Beaufort, S.C.
One of the largest Gullah celebrations, this family-oriented event is three days of food, music, educational forums, and dances. See more information at http://www.gullahfestival.org/ .

June – Sweet Grass Cultural Arts Festival, Charleston, S.C.
This day-long event is aimed at preserving the heritage of the Gullah/Geechee culture and language, as well as the sweetgrass natural habitats. Read more at http://www.sweetgrassfestival.org/ .

August – Sea Islands Black Heritage Festival, St. Simons Island, Ga.
This is a celebration of African American heritage, art, music, and poetry. Read more at http://www.seaislandsblackheritagefestival.com/ home.html.

October – Cultural Day Festival, Sapelo Island, Ga.
This is a celebration of the legacy of the Geechee-Gullah people of Sapelo Island. Read more at http://www.sapeloislandgeorgia.org/ culturalday/ index.html.

November – Heritage Days, St. Helena Island, S.C.
This event showcases the heritage of the Gullah people and explores the Gullah connection at the historic Penn Center. Read more at http://www.penncenter.com/ pchd.html?q1Category= Vacations&q1PageName= Feb%20GGulla% 20Salute.

4. Wilbur Cross’s Expertise and Experience in Gullah Culture
GULLAH CULTURE IN AMERICA is more than an aggregation of Cross’s research of scholarly works. Having lived on Hilton Head Island for 22 years, Cross has immersed himself in the study of Gullah culture under the guidance of Dr. Emory Shaw Campbell. The book contains a number of interviews with outstanding leaders in the Gullah community conducted by the author and others concerned about preserving this unique culture.

To view the complete press kit, go to http://www.blairpub.com/ mediakits/wilburcross.php.

# # #

John F. Blair, Publisher, is an independent, family-owned company that publishes book on the southeastern United States and is based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Learn more at www.blairpub.com.

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Michael Allen, Nat'l Park Service

The Gullah and Geechee People-

An Historical Overview from Africa to the 21st Century

by Cynthia H. Porcher (click for author info)

Please Note: This page is still under construction.

Price not yet determined
ISBN not yet available

DESCRIPTION:

In 2004, the National Trust for Historic Preservation named the Gullah/Geechee culture, the Sea Islands and the Atlantic coastline from Wilmington, NC, to St. Augustine, FL, to its list of 11 Most Endangered His-toric sites, thus recognizing the national significance of Gullah/Geechee culture, language, and cultural landscape, and the imminent danger of the loss of these treasures.

The Gulluh/Geechee were slaves brought from several areas of Africa to the southeastern coast of North America. These enslaved Africans from diverse cultures and ethnicities mingled and merged their customs and traditions to form a new culture, African in origin, but unlike any single African culture. The new culture developed and flourished. They are the only African American population of the U.S. with a distinct, long-standing name identifying them as a separate people. The Gullah/Geechee people of today are 21st century African Americans—teachers, shrimpers, doctors, lawyers, preachers, artists, truck drivers, farmers, performers, engineers, elected officials, and First Lady Michelle Obama can claim this heritage.

The Gullah and Geechee People provides a broad history of these people of the Lowcountry from late 17th century Africa to 21st Century America. Oral histories taken during the author’s research are included in the book whenever possible. The book is a synopsis of this rich cultural history that will be a valued resource for communities, a tool for preservation and fundraising, a source of pride for Gullah/Geechee people, and a textbook for students.

The book is written for a general audience. The Gullah and Geechee People cover

OSEADEEYO ADDO DANKWA III
King of Akropong-Akuapem
Ghana royal-portraits.blogspot.com/2010/01/african-kings.html - 96k - Cached

A graduate from the University of London and an economic advisor for the Ghanaian administration, The King of Akropong holds for the last sixteen years the “sacred seat” of the Akuapem-Asona, one of the seven major Akan clans. To his right, his “spokesman” carries the royal emblem, the elephant, a remembrance that his kingdom was founded by force.

Design You Trust is a daily design blog and community, full of new design trends, news and events, great design portfolios, young design bloods, design articles, photographies, fashion, creative advertisements, architectural inspirations, video design and hand-picked design stuff from all over the globe.

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ONI of IFE
Nigeria royal-portraits.blogspot.com/2010/01/african-kings.html - 96k - Cached

In 1980, Sijuwade became the fiftieth Oni (King) of Ife, one of the most ancient African Dynasties.Formerly, during his coronation, an Oni had to embrace the sword of justice, and enter into his palace on a cloth stiffened by the dry blood of sacrificed men and women. Today the Oni is a rich businessman, with several vaste properties in Nigeria and England.

Design You Trust is open public. If you would like to be a member of our honoured team - just register, read the rules and start to post your favorite design stuff, photos and videos! It’s easy.Design You Trust was founded in 2007 by Dmitry Utkin, worldwide designer and Creative Director of Envisionext, Inc (located in USA, NJ). Design You Trust on Facebook! Follow updates on Twitter!