African-American History & Culture in the Georgia Lowcountry, Savannah & The Coastal Islands

FAIN: BI-50141-11

Georgia Historical Society, Inc. (Savannah, GA 31401-4889)
Stan Deaton (Project Director: March 2011 to April 2016)

Two one-week Landmarks workshops for fifty community college faculty members to explore African-American life and culture in Savannah and Georgia's coastal islands.

"African-American History and Culture in the Georgia Lowcountry, Savannah and the Coastal Islands" consists of two one-week NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops held during summer 2012 for fifty community college faculty members on African-American life and culture in Savannah and Georgia's coastal islands. By focusing on African Americans in the Georgia lowcountry, this program challenges monolithic views of race and slavery in American history. In particular, the juxtaposition of urban and rural life illustrates a complex story of distinct and enduring African-American cultures. Visits to Sapelo and Ossabaw Islands focus on the lives that developed in the rural communities. The workshop also contextualizes the African-American experience in the Atlantic world, the organic nature of African-American folkways, and the islands' twenty-first century way of life. Savannah, by contrast, elucidates African-American life in an urban setting. Showing, for example, how blacks and whites mingled continuously, reveals how urban slavery was considerably more fluid than its rural counterpart. Participants prepare for the workshop by reading Ira Berlin's Many Thousands Gone. Additional works authored by the visiting scholars include Alexander Byrd's Captives and Voyagers; Cornelia Walker Bailey's God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man: A Saltwater Geechee Talks About Life on Sapelo Island; and Jacqueline Jones' Saving Savannah: The City and the Civil War. Time is set aside for primary-source research aided by project directors and research staff, as well as for work on course material.

Media Coverage

African-American History & Culture in the Georgia Lowcountry (Media Coverage)
Author(s): William Vollono
Publication: Georgia History Today
Date: 8/1/2012
Abstract: An article focusing on the activities and impact of GHS's 2012 NEH Landmarks in American & History and Culture workshop for community college faculty.
URL: http://www.georgiahistory.com/files/0000/0833/GHT_2012_summer_spreads_5_4_FINAL_wbleed_LOWRES.pdf

"The Cry for Land, Urban Life, and Women" (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Suzanne Donovan
Publication: StepUp Savannah
Date: 2/16/2012
Abstract: The posting provides a link to online exhibit/resources relating to the 2011 Landmarks program, which was updated during 2012 to integrate the final year of Landmarks programming. In addition, the author provided a link to the 2012 NEH application notices.
URL: http://www.stepupsavannah.org/blog/suzanne-donovan/cry-land-urban-life-and-women

Georgia Historical Society to Host Workshop on African-American History (Media Coverage)
Publication: Savannah Daily News
Date: 3/28/2013
Abstract: Local media picked up GHS press release and circulated in publication.
URL: http://savdailynews.com/main.asp?Search=1&ArticleID=36835&SectionID=2&SubSectionID=101&S=1

NCTC Professors to Attend Summer Workshops (Media Coverage)
Publication: North Central Texas College website
Date: 5/3/2012
Abstract: Article about faculty attending NEH Summer Workshops.
URL: http://www.nctc.edu/news/newsarchive/12-05-03/NCTC_professors_to_attend_summer_workshops.aspx

Georgia Historical Society Awarded 2012 National Endowment for the Humanities Grant (Media Coverage)
Publication: Press Release
Date: 11/8/2011
Abstract: Press Release announcing 2012 NEH Summer Grant Award
URL: http://www.georgiahistory.com/files/0000/0700/11.8.11_2012_NEH.pdf

Georgia Historical Society to Host Workshop on African-American History (Media Coverage)
Author(s): Georgia Historical Society
Date: 6/5/2012
Abstract: Press Release generated by Georgia Historical Society
URL: http://www.georgiahistory.com/files/0000/0807/6.5_NEH.pdf

Associated Products

African-American History and Culture in the Georgia Lowcountry: Savannah and the Coastal Islands, 1750-1950 (Web Resource)
Title: African-American History and Culture in the Georgia Lowcountry: Savannah and the Coastal Islands, 1750-1950
Author: Stan Deaton
Abstract: Online Exhibit relating to GHS's 2012 NEH Landmarks of American History and Culture Workshops. Features bios on visiting lecturers, podcasts of lectures, an overview of workshop activities, select primary sources (digital) relating to the topic, suggested readings, andlinks to related collections and external sites.
Year: 2012
Primary URL: http://www.georgiahistory.com/containers/1312

Happy Juneteenth! (Blog Post)
Title: Happy Juneteenth!
Author: Nina McCune
Abstract: Teaching United States History: working through the United States history survey, this blog examines what we teach and why, how we teach it and with what tools, and what assignments we use and how we evaluate them. It's a forum for teachers and students to discuss their experiences in teaching and studying United States history. The 2012 NEH Summer Experience was explored by this participant.
Date: 6/19/2012
Primary URL: http://teachingunitedstateshistory.blogspot.com/2012/06/happy-juneteenth.html
Blog Title: Teaching United States History

African-American Monument - Savannah, GA (Blog Post)
Title: African-American Monument - Savannah, GA
Author: Derrick Brooms
Abstract: A brief note about Dr. Brooms' experience in Savannah and reflections on a historic monument seen while participating in the 2012 Landmarks program.
Date: 06/24/2012
Primary URL: http://drbrooms.blogspot.com/
Blog Title: Still Standing

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