"Unwritten: Archaeology & Oral History of Jim Crow Mobile"
On Exhibit Now
"They Are Not Forgotten: Working With Historic Cemeteries"
Alabama Archaeological Society, Southwest Chapter Monthly Lecture
4 PM, Tues., Feb. 27
Free & open to the public!
When people think of cemeteries they often think of neat rows of uniform headstones
manicured grass and tidy plantings, however for historic cemeteries this is rarely
the case. Historic cemeteries are dynamic environments, they have seen the changes
of time, and sometimes the ravages that time has wrought. They require concerned people
who want to care for them, time, dedication, and concern. This talk will cover the
basics from finding or documenting a "forgotten" cemetery, through maintenance and
upkeep.
Jennifer Melcher is a research associate with the University of West Florida Archaeology
Institute. She specialties in geographic information Systems (GIS) which led to her
introduction to cemeteries and their documentation. In her work with the Archaeology
Institute, she has supported Pensacola area cemeteries through GIS mapping and web
maps, disaster response following hurricanes and in helping care for some of Pensacola's
Historic African American cemeteries. Additionally, she serves on the board of the
Historic St. Michael's Cemetery Foundation which provides support including restoration
and maintenance to St. Michael's cemetery in downtown Pensacola, Florida.
For more information, please contact the USA Archaeology Museum
Email: ArchaeologyMuseum@ngskmc-eis.net
Phone: (251) 460-6106
The USA Archaeology Museum showcases artifacts from the Gulf Coast and covers over 12,000 years of prehistory and history. Artifacts are contextualized using a series of life-size scenic representations depicting archaeologists at work and glimpses into the ways of life of ancient Woodland cultures, mound-building Mississippian peoples, early French settlers, and an African American family after the Civil War. FREE ADMISSION!