Preservation posts, 2017 August

Preservation Posts - August 2017
Georgia Department of Natural Resources sent this bulletin at 09/06/2017 11:38 AM EDT
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IN THIS ISSUE:
A Message from the Director Now and Then: The 2017 North American Solar Eclipse The Georgia Historic Theatres Project News and Announcements Upcoming Events
A Message from the Director
by: Dr. David Crass, david.crass@dnr.ga.gov Division Director & Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer
Dr. Crass's column will return next month.
Now and Then: The 2017 North American Solar Eclipse
by: Emma Mason, emma.mason@dnr.ga.gov Compliance Archaeologist
On Monday, August 21st, people across the country set out to witness what was one of the most profound celestial occurrences of our generation. A total solar eclipse stretched from Oregon to South Carolina, and viewers gathered in its path to see the eclipse unfold before their eyes. While eclipses are relatively common (there were 228 solar eclipses from 1901-2000), they are just rare enough to evoke the mysteries of the universe and feelings of awe.
NASA photo showing a total solar eclipse. (NASA, Romeo Durscher) So, what exactly is it that draws people to eclipses? What feelings and actions are associated with being able to see the moon and sun crossing paths in our daytime sky? These particular astrological and cosmological events have been occurring since the beginning of time as we know it, so it begs the questions: how did past cultures perceive them? What effects did they have on society, and what customs aligned with them? How were they materialized in the archaeological record? Were they celebrated or feared? The Cherokee refer to eclipses as nd' wal' s u' gisk'; which translates to `the frog is swallowing the sun or moon'. Ethnographer James Mooney wrote of the Cherokees:
"When the sun or moon is eclipsed it is because a great frog in the sky is trying to swallow it. Everybody knows this, even the Creeks and the other tribes, and in the olden times, eighty or a hundred years ago, before the great medicine men were all dead, whenever they saw the sun grow dark the people would come together and fire guns and beat the drum, and in a little while this would frighten off the great frog and the sun would be all right again." James Mooney, Myths, Legends, and Sacred Formulas of the Cherokee (1900)
Onlookers observe a solar eclipse in Norway. (Valerie Hwang, Discover Magazine) This traditional practice of warding off eclipses is not just a thing of the past. In Cherokee, North Carolina, hundreds of people armed with noisemakers gathered to witness the affair and scare the frog away, as the legend goes. Viewing festivities, which also took place at Ocmulgee National Monument, Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and countless other places across the nation, continue to demonstrate the immense cultural importance of these awe-inspiring (or fear-inducing) events. For those early planners out there mark your calendars! The next solar eclipse to travel across the country will be in April 2024!
Sioux eclipse (lunar) dance. (Edward Curtis, 1914)
The Georgia Historic Theatres Project
By: Jeff Harrison This summer the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Historic Preservation Division (HPD), the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Main Street Program, and Fox Theatre Institute completed the third phase of the Georgia Historic Theatres Project. This project began in 2014 as an effort to document historic theatres and entertainment venues throughout the state. Phase three of the project called on theatre owners and operators to participate in an online survey this August. The survey collected data related to the operations of Georgia's historic theaters to understand their potential structural, financial, and operational needs.
The Madison Morgan Cultural Center in Madison, Georgia "The answers provided will help us understand how an owner's theater is currently used, how they market their theater and special events, the challenges their facilities face, and the strategies that have been developed to support the overall success of a theater," said Amelia DeCoster, the project coordinator for phase three. "Our survey results will be summarized in a report that will be available to those interested in supporting, operating and gaining knowledge related to Georgia's historic theaters. The report will assist our partners in developing strategies for stronger financial support, ensure solid preservation practices, and, additionally, help with marketing strategies and success." The profile of theaters' needs that will emerge from the survey may be able to help the partners better understand the types of support they can offer. For more information about the project contact Allison Asbrock, Outreach Program Manager with HPD, at 770-3897868 or allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov.
The Grand Theatre in Cartersville, Georgia
News and Announcements
The Society for Georgia Archaeology (SGA), Georgia Council of Professional Archaeologists (GCPA), and Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are sponsoring student research grants for 2017. These research grants are competitive awards given to support undergraduate and graduate student research that focuses on the archaeology of Georgia. Applications due September 23. More information can be found here.
Upcoming Events
September 23 - Public Archaeology Day at Wormsloe - Savannah The Georgia Historic Preservation Division will be partnering with Wormsloe Historic Site to host a public archaeology day on September 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are encouraged to come learn about Wormsloe's past and help archaeologists in the field. October 6- Georgia Centennial Farm Awards The Annual Georgia Centennial Farm Awards Ceremony will be held on Friday, October 6, 2017, at the Georgia National Fairgrounds & Agricenter in Perry, Georgia. The program will begin with a reception and light refreshments at 2:00 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony recognizing the 2017 Centennial Farms at 2:30 p.m. The Reception and Awards Program will be held in the Miller-Murphy-Howard Building. Contact allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov for ticket information. October 7- Georgia CoastFest Georgia's largest celebration of our state's coastal natural resources is ready to take center stage! The 23rd edition of this annual event will take place at the Georgia Department of Natural Resources/Coastal Regional headquarters on Saturday, October 7th from 10 am `til 4pm. Over 70 interactive environmental, educational and resource organizations from around the southeast will offer visitors a chance to learn about Georgia's coastal resources and have some fun at the same time. More information here! Would you like to see an event listed? Email allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov
Want to Contribute?
Submit a Guest Article Preservation Posts is published to inform the public about historic preservation issues and developments from the perspective of the SHPO. In keeping with that purpose, HPD occasionally solicits guest articles that are directly related to our statutorily mandated programs. Please note that we do not publish opinion pieces. We also retain editorial control as well as the right to reject any submission. To pitch or submit a piece, or ask questions concerning an idea, email HPD's Outreach Program Manager, Allison Asbrock, at allison.asbrock@dnr.ga.gov.
TITLE IMAGE: The Georgia Theater in Athens, Georgia. Copyright 2017 DNR Historic Preservation Division, All rights reserved.
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