From staff reports
The Reconstruction Era National Historical Park will host an exhibit and symposium entitled “Tied to the Land.” The student-produced exhibit will be on display at Darrah Hall at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District beginning Wednesday, Nov. 8 and will run through January 18, 2024.
In support of the exhibit, there will be a symposium at 2 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10 at Darrah Hall.
“Tied to the Land” is produced by students with Morehouse College’s Movement, Memory, and Justice Project and sponsored by the Mellon Foundation. The exhibit will display the long history of Gullah Geechee land ownership – how it was acquired, how it has been lost, and the ways these communities are fighting to hold on to the land.
Tendaji Bailey, Associate Director of the project, shared the purpose of “Tied to the Land,” saying “Our culture is so deeply connected to the soil and waters that have sustained Gullah Geechee communities since the end of the Civil War. This exhibit gives us an opportunity to begin dialogue about how our communities can continue to hold onto it now and into the future.”
Chris Barr, the Chief of Interpretation for the park said, “When Reconstruction Era National Historical Park was established, part of the vision was that Darrah Hall would remain a space for community expression, and we’re excited to host ‘Tied to the Land’ and a symposium for the community to share their story.”
There is no admission fee. Darrah Hall is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The November 10 symposium will take place during the 39th Annual Heritage Days at Penn Center, and it is free and open to the public.
For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS. For additional information and schedules for the 39th Annual Heritage Days at Penn Center, visit https://www.penncenter.com/heritage-days.
