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#VirtualGullahGeecheeCorridor
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T
he Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor serves as an important platform for Gullah Geechee heritage.
The Bitter Southerner, recently published two stories about Gullah Geechee people. In "Ahmaud Arbery Holds Us Accountable" writer Jim Barger Jr. provides important historical context about the deep Georgia Geechee roots of the Arbery family and the how a community is called to reckon with the tragedy. In "The Spirts of American Beach" journalist Nikesha Elisae Williams shines a light on the historical arc of a community formed to provide a haven from the prejudice and violence of Florida's Jim Crow era. The community that survives faces uphill challenges to preserve what is left of this important history.
 South Carolina film producer Sherard Duvall (far left) won a research and development grant from the Southern Documentary Fund for his exploration of Gullah Geechee culture, "Saltwata Vibes: Sankofa Seeds from Geechee Roots." The planned film follows siblings Sara Makeba Daise and Simeon Daise (right), children of Gullah Geechee cultural preservationist Ron and Natalie Daise, as they try to define their cultural identity.
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#NPS19th: 100 Years, 100 Days, 100 Facts
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 May 19th marked 100 days until the centennial of the 19th Amendment. To commemorate the arrival of the historic event, Freedom's Way National Heritage Area is counting down each of the days until the 19th Amendment's anniversary, August 26th, by sharing one fact about suffrage history. These snippets of history will share the story of suffrage from Freedom's Way NHA's communities in New Hampshire and Massachusetts, as well as from the nation as a whole. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to see 19th amendment facts each day.
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| Pageantry & Passion for Women's Suffrage: Hazel MacKaye - Freedom's Way NHA Heritage Stories |
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Don't miss Freedom's Way NHA's Heritage Stories video, a storytelling of the life of Hazel MacKaye, who lived in Shirley, MA. Using her theater production skills, MacKaye created performances for suffragettes to use while protesting the restrictions on their voting rights. TAt the 1913 Woman Suffrage Procession in Washington, D.C., a performance called "Allegory," created by MacKaye, was held on the steps of the U.S. Treasury Building.
Find out more about MacKaye,
view other Heritage Stories, and check out the 100 day countdown at f
reedomsway.org.
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Bees Buzzing and Virtual Field Trips in Blackstone River Valley NHC
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On Giving Tuesday, May 5, Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor launched a Partnership Grant program to support nonprofits in bringing their programs to the virtual world during this time of shutdown. Initial recipients include: Gallery Night Providence, Uxbridge Historical Society, Asa Waters Mansion, Bay State Trail Riders Association, Gallery Night Providence, Millbury Historical Society, Burrillville Historic & Preservation Society, Mass Audubon at Broad Meadow Brook, Breaking Branches Pictures, Inc. Grant applications are still being accepted on a rolling basis. Info on the grant program can be found here.
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MotorCities NHA virtual program series, MotorCities At Home
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MotorCities at Home #3 | Jeremy Dimick- Unique Autos | |
MotorCities NHA paid tribute to the auto industry who, in the midst of the national emergency caused by COVID-19, responded to the needs of the country and converted to production of ventilators, masks, hand sanitizer and other products necessary to win this fight. Like the Arsenal of Democracy during World War II, many have dubbed our region at this time as the "Arsenal of Health."
To bring attention to this history and its relevance in 2020, MotorCities created a webpage celebrating this achievement as the
Arsenal of Democracy and Arsenal of Health which is receiving attention locally and nationally.
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#RecreateResponsibly in Mountains to Sound Greenway
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 During the COVID-19 pandemic, one of Mountains to Sound Greenway NHA priorities was to help the public understand how to safely connect with nature. We added a new web page
to consolidate information about closures and reopenings of parks and public lands for easy reference, and to share the growing list of creative ways people can continue to connect with nature from home. Partners formed the Recreate Responsibly Coalition to help people understand where they can safely go, a
nd how to #RecreateResponsibly.
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| Watch Forests and Fins |
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Another way we pivoted to serve the public during the pandemic is through our environmental education program. With schools closed, we were unable to offer our usual in-class and in-the-field experiences that serve more than 4,000 students each year. Our team adapted by creating a series of virtual education videos to teach our "Forests and Fins" salmon curriculum, combined with activities families can complete at home. In the near future, we'll be adding our "Next Generation Stewards" curriculum to the offerings as well.
Greenway NHA staff are working closely with public land managers to understand their needs and challenges as public spaces reopen. One challenge was PPE shortages, which make it risky for staff to maintain facilities and safely interact with visitors. The Greenway organized a PPE donation drive with the East Cascades Recreation Partnership to help address shortages.
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Colorado NHAs Create Virtual Journey to Engage Public During Pandemic
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During this unprecedented time in our Nation's history, when much of the U.S., has stay-at-home and social distancing orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado's three National Heritage Areas (Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, South Park National Heritage Area, and Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area) worked together to launch "Colorado's Virtual Heritage Journey," as a way to continue to learn about and explore Colorado from home.
They showcase the natural beauty, activities, and Western history Colorado is known for, while also representing Colorado's many contributions to our nation's diverse ancestry.
Resources shared by the National Heritage Areas include documentary films, educational videos, online magazines, art and more. The Colorado Heritage Areas have had significant increases in their social media engagement during this time, as people are using social media
to stay connected and engaged while at home. The #COVirtualHeritageJourney content has been viewed and shared widely across the organizations' online communities.
Discover and experience Colorado's culture, history, and recreational activities with
virtual resources online or at #COVirtualHeritageJourney on social media.
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Crossroads of the American
Revolution
NHA releases Visitor Assessment
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Crossroads of the American Revolution NHA released a first-ever visitor readiness assessment of New Jersey Revolutionary-era historic sites in preparation for the state's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the United States in 2026. Recognizing that travel and leisure options may change because of COVID-19, the report highlights opportunities where heritage tourism can help create jobs and building community spirit.
The report includes condition assessments and market potential for 150 historic sites as well as recommendations for interpretive themes and the potential for a visitor experience center or centers. Crossroads commissioned the study as the private-sector partner of the NJ Historical Commission in the state's planning process for the 250th commemoration. The assessment team includes architecture, planning and historic planning firm Clarke Caton Hintz; cultural resources consultants Hunter Research; and destination development, strategic planning and tourism marketing firm Hargrove International.
A Q&A session with members of New Jersey's Revolutionary history and heritage community followed the team's April 21 presentation via Zoom; another session is scheduled for July 15.
Download the study and executive summary here.
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Down the Road on the Blue Ridge Music Trail
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The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area in North Carolina has adapted to this time of crisis in the following ways:
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To keep regional rural partners updated, staff c
urate coronavirus-related content and share it through frequent emails to partners with the latest information on resources as it becomes available (financial support, reopening guidelines, relevant webinars, etc.).
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In collaboration with the North Carolina Arts Council, staff are creating a series of artist-specific virtual training for Blue Ridge Music Trails partners. Training will include guidance on how to live stream performances and improve social media skills.
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Continuing work on the Blue Ridge Craft Trails
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New issue of the Down the Road, annual old-time and bluegrass guide to supplement promotion of the Blue Ridge Music Trails.
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Oil Region Petroleum Lecture Series
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Recording of the presentation:"The Family Histories and Lasting Impact of Coal Oil Johnny, Oil Region's Prodigal Son" |
Drake Well Museum and Park's annual Petroleum Lecture Series normally held in March in Titusville, PA was moved to online due to Covid 19. On May 6, participants logged on to see Historian-Educator Jenn Burden of the Oil Region Alliance of Business, Industry and Tourism present the story of John Washington Steele, a young man who got lucky in the Oil Boom, but squandered his fortune earning him a nickname that became synonymous with wasted wealth, "Coal Oil Johnny."
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MSNHA's new grants round focuses on social-distancing innovations
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The Muscle Shoals NHA is accepting applications for grants until July 15.
The MSNHA is looking for projects highlighting historic preservation. Grant funding from $1,000 - $7,500 is available for projects focused on assessment, preservation, interpretation, archiving or workshops and training sessions connected to the MSNHA's themes: music, Native American culture or the Tennessee River. Grants must be matched 1:1.
"We are opening a new grant round now to help communities deal with the impacts of COVID-19 on their organizations," said Carrie Crawford, MSNHA director. "We will prioritize projects that allow for social distancing
and focus on other innovations for navigating our new normal.
MSNHA is a partnership program of the National Park Service, and our grants initiative is one of the main ways we work with community groups to help preserve, protect and promote northwest Alabama's cultural heritage," Crawford continued. "Our mission is to work with communities to tell stories about our area's history and to offer opportunities for learning about and appreciating our area's cultural and natural resources."
"This is a great time to update and renovate," added Emily Rhodes, MSNHA grants coordinator.
Visit
msnha.una.edu/
, or email msnha@una.edu for details.
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Normally each spring at Rivers of Steel (ROS), would host student scientists on the Explorer riverboat, kick off the tour season at the Carrie Blast Furnaces and host tours. Events, from weddings to festivals were cancelled, while staff is working from home. While unable to operate public programs, Rivers of Steel staff are exploring options for virtual tours, adapted tours for social distancing in place, as well as possible new programming better suited for the COVID era, such as drive-in movie screenings at the Furnaces.
The biggest pivot was to double-down on content marketing. After launching a new website last year, ROS expanded storytelling with blog articles shared on social media and recapped in newsletters.The hope is that
this engagement will create increased demand for in-person programs while growing remote audiences. Read more be clicking the links below:
Exploring the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area
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Looking for Lincoln Goes Virtual
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As summer events and training workshops were cancelled or postponed, Looking for Lincoln NHA moved events and training workshops online. They held the first virtual Lincoln program, Abraham Lincoln in Song featuring Chris Vallillo on April 13 via Facebook Live. The performance Abraham Lincoln in Song combines Lincoln's own words and stories with contemporary folk music and period folk songs to shed light on one of our nation's most beloved historical figures - from his birth 200 years ago in Kentucky through his death in 1865 at the hand of John Wilkes Booth. During the two weeks the performance was available online it reached 2,269 views. In addition, they are planning a summer/fall virtual program series to continue to tell the story of Abraham Lincoln's life and times.
A spring marketing workshops was moved online for the first pilot workshop on Zoom in May. Thirteen Looking for Lincoln Communities participated in the training. The workshop was very successful followed by a another set of virtual training workshops for partners in June.
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Interns Supporting NHA work @ NPS
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The NHA program is lucky to have two interns supporting NHAs.
 Phyllida Whittaker is a communications intern working in Philadelphia. She is from Scranton and Dimock, PA, and attended the University of Scranton. Phyllida is working to promote the NHAs on social media. The different landscapes, histories, and communities of our NHAs make a beautiful tapestry of content online, and draw people in to learning more about NHAs. See her work on Instagram.
Phylida loves forests, the ocean, animals, and gardening. Before the pandemic, she volunteered to plant trees and work on public gardens and volunteer for the National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. She is looking to pursue a Master's in land conservation and community development, in order to help create a healthier, happier communities and conserve our country's natural resources.
 Linden Pearsall is working on digital content for NHA nps.gov "places" sites and researching resources that can help support various NHA initiatives and tourism.
She is from Boxford, MA in Essex National Heritage Area. She studied in Thailand and Hawaii during her undergrad. Linden has a Bachelor of Science in hospitality and tourism management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a minor in sustainable community development. Linden loves riding her bike and spending time in the garden. She recently worked in Argentina on farms to learn about agritourism.
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The Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA) is adapting programs and public meetings due to Covid-19. AmeriCorps members are continuing to work with their partner sites, some from a distance. Read more. Apply now for new 2020-21 AmeriCorps term with Covid-19 provisions, found here
AFNHA is currently in the middle of a Management Plan for the new NHA designation. In-person public meetings were canceled and rescheduled as virtual Zoom meetings. Information on Management Planning can be found here: appalachianforestnha.org/management
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Reopening historic sites in Yuma Crossing NHA
Colorado River State Historic Park and Yuma Territorial Prison opened to the public on June 1, 2020. List of safety measures taken for the public -
Hand Sanitizing Stations supplied by
Prison Hill Brewing Co., masks worn
on property, limit of 10 people in the
Information Center located at the entrance of the Colorado River State Historic Park, and encourage social distancing, hand washing.
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Best Practice Call
The next call is June 25 at 2:00 EDT
Join for conversations regarding racial justice in NHAs, Juneteenth, and learn about a new ANHA committee for relevancy, diversity, and inclusion.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://www.zoom.us/
Meeting ID:
837 2686 6252
Password: 142547
July 23 - Featuring Pollinator Partnerships
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| May NHA Best Practices Call - responses and support for partners |
To join the mailing list: email Heather_Wickens
hwickens@lflhc.org
or NHA@nps.gov
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Sparking Productive Discussion
with Visitors
Over th
e past few years NPS
created discussion guides
to address events and commemorations.
The guide
s
offer ideas for interpretation and engagement, as well as
techniques
and questions
for coping with and confronting the tough stuff of history
.
They can be used as an
individual or as a team
to facilitate internal conversations about current events
,
race
and protest
, and the diverse stories our sites preserve. Link to guides.
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Sharing Solutions for Gateway and Rural Communities during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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| Webinar: What COVID-19 Means for Gateway Communities |
Tourism and outdoor recreation has ground to a halt-along. Communities are struggling with the rapid changes, as well as future implications. Yet the tourism "industry" is not just about economies, but also about community, sense of place, and the natural and cultural resources that sustain us in myriad ways. People are still drawn to green spaces and unique destinations that provide solace and wonder to restore the soul in these troubled times.
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Webinars: NPS Connected
Conservation (C2)
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