1540 - The Year That Changed Everything (EVENT)

Great Event!


1540 - The Year That Changed Everything
JANUARY 8 , Rome, Georgia

The Rome Area History Museum announces the first lecture in its new Snapshot in Time series which
will be held on a Thursday evening every month. Each lecture will focus on one year in the history of the Rome,
Georgia, area in which local events occurred that had far reaching effects across both time and space.
The first lecture in the series will be presented on Thursday, January 8th by Jim Langford, president
of the Coosawattee Foundation, a Calhoun-based organization that has worked since 1986 to increase
public awareness about the importance and fragility of archaeological resources and the landscapes in which
they are found.Langford, who has studied 16^th century sites in northwest Georgia for over twenty-five years,
will present “1540 – the Year that Changed Everything”. Langford will focus his talk on the Hernando DeSoto
expedition of 1540 during which Indian populations of the Southeast encountered Europeans in a substantial
way. This encounter led to the dramatic demise of Indian populations – perhaps as high as 90 percent of the
populations disappeared in a 50-year period - in this part of the United States. Langford and other researchers
have documented and excavated many sites in the Rome, Calhoun and Cartersville area, and this research
demonstrates that DeSoto and other Spanish explorers visited Northwest Georgia in the mid-16^th Century.
This research also shows that at the time of the Spanish explorations, the “province” of Coosa was the largest
and most politically powerful culture north of Mexico.A social Meet and Greet at the Museum will begin at 6:30. Langford’s lecture will start before 7:00 pm. A donation of $7 per person to the event would be appreciated.
The Rome Area History Museum is located at 305 Broad Street in downtown Rome.
For more information about this event, contact the museum at 706-235-8051.
Contact person for this event is Cherry Johnson - Curator and Director of Programs.

From Southeastern Archaeology News: http://www.southeasternarchaeology.com/upcomingevents.html

African Diaspora Archaeology Network Newsletter

The December 2008 issue of the newsletter is available online now.

The December's newsletter features articles and essays by Mark P. Leone, John Michael Vlach, Christopher N. Mathews, J. O. Aleru, K. Adekola, and Charlotte King; news reports and announcements; and book reviews by Liza Gijanto, Kevin M. Bartoy, Kenneth G. Kelly, Deb Rotman, and Jessica Zimmer.

LCHA Archaeology Volunteer Program

The Lincoln County Historical Association is implementing a new volunteer program for the archaeology department. Lincoln County is a rich and diverse area to study for past human occupation. This program will include activities such as lab night, fieldwork, and research opportunities. Archaeology involves a great deal of planning and patience, so there are many opportunities for public involvement.

The organization has several ongoing projects that are the focus for the current research. The first archaeology camps were held this past summer, and there is a need for volunteers to work on artifact processing for the Ramsour’s Mill Battlefield and Historic Woodside. In addition, upcoming projects include a Native American Mississippian site, and three other possible historic sites in eastern Lincoln County. The activities planned for the upcoming year are going to allow for field-walking exercises, digging and testing, recording techniques, artifact washing and identification training, and further extended research.

The program will to start with an ongoing “lab night” session once a week from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the evening, with the specific day to be decided. Other activities are available in the lab throughout the week during daytime hours, and fieldwork is something typically performed on the weekends.

All activities are available to ages 12 and up. The organization is accepting feedback in regard to interest in this specific program. Interested persons should contact the LCHA located at the Lincoln County Cultural Center, in downtown Lincolnton, NC. The volunteer program is starting in the coming year, so contact the LCHA about specific interests. Please contact January W. Porter at (704) 748-9090 or jporter33@carolina.rr.com.

Shipwreck clues could clear Blackbeard of sinking his ship to swindle his crew

Interesting article on the new perceptions about the sinking of Blackbeard's ship.

1890’s Christmas in Heritage Village (EVENT)

Experience Christmas as Gaston County farmers and mill workers did in the 1890’s. Learn what the blacksmith did during the winter, listen to popular mill songs of the time, look at the way farm and mill homes were decorated, enjoy hot cider and cookies while singing along to Christmas carols in the Chapel, and perhaps take a carriage ride. Children will receive historically accurate commemorations of their visit.

Sponsored by Gaston County Parks and Recreation and the Gaston County Historical Preservation Commission.

Thursday, December 4, 2008, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Dallas Park
1303 Dallas Cherryville Hwy
Dallas, NC 28034

Gigantic Shell is Roadside Attraction

Check out this link on the preservation of an original Shell Gas Station, right here in North Carolina. This is a great example of what professionals are doing with historic preservation, and how structures do not have to look "really old" to be considered a treasure.

A History of Catawba Pottery (presentation)

Nov. 8, 2008

A History of Catawba Pottery, presentation and lecture by Dr. Thomas Blumer; Display featuring examples of Catawba clay work will be on display during the preceding week. LaVonne Nalley Piper Auditorium, 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Free.

Located at the corner of Hwy. 178 at 307 Johnson Street in Pickens SC, the Pickens County Museum is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission is free but donations are welcomed. For more information, please call the museum at (864) 898-5963 or email picmus@co.pickens.sc.us