Mar-Apr - Trail of Tears Association

Volume 3 issue 2
Moccasin Track News is published every other month
Message from the President:
What an exciting beginning to what promises to be a
productive year for the Georgia chapter of the Trail of Tears
Association. I hardly know where to begin.
There’s much ground to cover, and I will try to be
brief. But before I get to the recent research workshop, the
Cost-Share Proposal, the Cedartown wayside exhibits, and
all the rest, allow me to spend a few moments touting what
promises to be a huge step forward for us – the TOTAbase.
Our new collaborative online research database will
go “live” on March 8. So long as you’re a member in good
standing, you’re a part of it. Our treasurer and webmaster,
Linda Woodward Geiger, will be instructing everyone about
passwords and the like at the March 8 meeting.
To access the database, simply go to
www.gatrailoftears.com. You will see a section at the top
marked “Members Only” (although I may ask Linda to
change this to read, simply, “TOTAbase.”) Click on that and
it will give you a prompt to type in your user name and
password, which Linda will provide. A new page will then
pop up, with a number of different sections with names like
“Historic Sites,” “Ancient Sites,” etc. At the top of the page
you will see what looks like a swirling blue and white globe
with the title, “The Cherokee Nation in Georgia.” If you
click on this, it will take you to a section called “Mapping
the Cherokee Nation With Google Earth.” Just follow the
instructions, and within minutes you will have access to a
project that has been about two years in the making.
The TOTAbase includes the following:
* Hundreds of period maps and plats.
* Numerous period documents and indexes, all
geographically interfaced.
* Valuations, census data, and hypothesized
Cherokee-related sites.
* Period newspaper articles.
And much, much more.
There’s already a wealth of material to explore, but
please keep in mind that this is only the beginning. As I said,
this is a collaborative process, so the depth, breadth, and
quality of this new resource will really all be up to you. The
more you contribute and comment, the better the TOTAbase
will become.
TOTAbase will enable us to share research,
March-April 2008
inventory what we know and what’s left to be discovered,
and increase everyone’s accessibility to valuable knowledge
regarding the Cherokee Nation in Georgia.
The way I look at it, the TOTAbase as it exists now is
in its infant stage. This is one reason it’s not really a public
database. It’s not anywhere near ready for that. What I’ve
tried to construct is a set of examples, some hints of what is
possible. It will be up to all of us, working together, to fill in
all the blanks. And there are many blanks left to fill. I cannot
stress this enough – PLEASE GET INVOLVED. We need
everyone’s active participation to make this work.
How do you get involved? Funny you should ask. On
this very same web page there will be a list of tasks that need
to be accomplished. Volunteer for one. Or five. Or ten. We
will have an online form set up to make it easy for you. When
the task is accomplished, simply send in your results, either
online to Linda or through the mail to Archives Chair Doug
Mabry. The web page will instruct you on what to do and
how to do it. Again, we need everyone to participate. If you
like what you see at the TOTAbase, help us to make it even
better!
But of course the TOTAbase is not the only thing
we’re focusing on. The idea is to use the TOTAbase to
streamline our research, and that research will be used to
interpret sites through signs, brochures, and wayside
exhibits. Several years ago we placed our first sign at Fort
Newnan. We are now working on our first full-fledged
wayside exhibit, with the help of the National Park Service
and the City of Cedartown. Our hope is that the new
exhibits, interpreting the Removal camp at Cedartown
spring, will be ready for unveiling later this year. Keep your
fingers crossed. These collaborative efforts do take time.
And, as we all know, Cedartown was just one of the
many forts and camps that were established in north
Georgia to facilitate the Cherokee Removal. Thanks to Dr.
Sarah Hill, we’ve already thoroughly documented the paper
trail regarding these forts and camps, but in most cases
that’s not enough to pinpoint their precise locations. To do
that, we need the help of archaeologists. That’s why we
submitted a CCSP (cost-share proposal) to the National
Park Service on Feb. 1. Our hope is to obtain some funds
from the NPS to facilitate the much-needed archaeological
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(con’t from page 1)
investigation of potential camp and fort sites.
We’ll let you know when we hear something.
Many thanks go out to Rev. Charles
Walker for his entertaining discussion of
Pickens County sites at the January meeting. I
highly encourage anyone who is not familiar
with Rev. Walker’s self-published books to
obtain a copies of Cherokee Footprints (three
volumes) while they’re still available – if you
can find them. These books, containing years of
research and beautiful maps and drawings, are
a true treasure. (A heartfelt thanks, too, for Rev.
Walker so graciously allowing us to use these
works as part of the TOTAbase!)
Thanks also go to Michael Wren, Sarah Hill,
Linda Woodward Geiger, and Doug Mabry for
their Feb. 16 research workshop presentations.
We had a great crowd at New Echota and
everyone had positive things to say about the
wealth of information that was shared by our
presenters. If you missed it, you’ll soon be able
to catch up at our website. We want everyone to
have access to these research strategies as we
head into what promises to be one of our most
productive years ever.
There’s so much more to talk about: new book
publishing projects, the Chieftains initiative to
name a new footbridge in Rome for Chief John
Ross, the possible marking of the Sally Hughes
Road. But I’ve used up all of my space for this
month, and we have to leave something for the
actual meeting.
I will see you there!
Jeff Bishop, President
Council on American Indian Concerns
The Council on American Indian Concerns was created by the Georgia
Legislature in 1992. It is still the only state entity specifically
authorized to address the concerns of Georgia's American Indians. The
Council works to preserve the cultural legacy of Georgia Indians, to
protect their burial and archaeological sites, and to enhance their lives
and well being in the present.
The Council’s major goals are to:
• Assist in protecting American Indian burial sites in
the state
• Facilitate the return (repatriation) of Indian human re
mains and burial objects from museums in
Georgia whose collections are not subject to
federal law (PL 101-601)
• Support the economic development of Georgia's
American Indians
• Foster the cultural heritage of Georgia's American
Indians
• Advise state and local governments on issues relating
to Georgia's American Indians
Nine Georgians are appointed by the governor to serve on the Council.
By Georgia law, the Council includes five American Indians, one atlarge member, one physical anthropologist, one archaeologist, and one
other scientist with expertise in American Indian studies. The Council
is required to provide written notice to the Governor, President of the
Senate, and Speaker of the House of any communication regarding
proposed Indian gaming in Georgia.
To write to the Council, use this address:
Council on American Indian Concerns c/o Historic Sites Region Office
2600 Highway 155 SW, Suite D, Stockbridge, GA 30281
To report the possible disturbance of a Native American burial, write
to the Council or go to the Council website and follow directions on the
form “Request for Study of a Suspected or Proven Burial Site.”
Contributed by Dr. Sarah Hill
Endangered Native American Burial Grounds:
You can also call or contact Christine Neal at the DNR/HPD
concerning cemetery preservation at 404-657-1367 or
email her at [email protected]
There is a book called Grave Intentions by Christine Van
Voorhies. This book should be a part of every library or
resource for every historical society. Her first suggestion is
to contact the local authorities... plus it is good to go to the
local BOC meetings and bring things like cemetery
desecration up especially with all the development we are
all experiencing in North Georgia. There is a listing of the
laws as they pertain to Georgia. There is a link from the
DNR website or contact Christine Neal above.
The DNR/HPD has a link to issues concerning cemeteries as
was brought up at our last membership meeting and
although they are very concerned about these efforts and
want to know about them, they are unfortunately
understaffed and unable to address every issue brought up.
http://hpd.dnr.state.ga.us/ from this website under State
Archaeologist services is the Cemetery Preservation
information as well as information for contacting the state
archaeologist if you dig. You go to the cemetery link and
there are other links about preservation, protection, etc.
Please Note: Due to the rising costs of postage, copying and because we want our funds to be directed to projects
that are forthcoming, the chapter newsletter will be published on the website only beginning with your May-June
2008 copy. Those without email/computer access will still receive their mailed copy. If this poses a problem please
contact Leslie Thomas via email [email protected] or phone 706-635-3864.
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Georgia Chapter of the Trail of Tears
Association
Minutes – January 12, 2008
Meeting at the Pickens County Public Library
Jasper, Georgia
Jeff Bishop, President, called the meeting to
order at 10:35 AM. There were 41 attendees,
including 13 visitors. Jeff welcomed first time
visitors and new members and asked them to
introduce themselves.
Jeff presented Tommy Cox, President from
2003 thru 2007, with a sterling silver gorget in
recognition of his 2 terms as President and his
hard work and dedication on behalf of the Trail
of Tears Association.
Jeff gave his cell phone # 404-788-3265 and
his email address [email protected] and
said that everyone should feel free to contact
him at any time. He also introduced the other
officers: Leslie Thomas, Vice-President, Linda
Geiger, Treasurer (not present), and Linda
Baker, Secretary. The 2 National Directors who
represent the Georgia Chapter on the National
Board of Directors are Dola Davis (not
present) and Tommy Cox. Dola is recovering
from knee-replacement surgery. Jeff also
introduced Patsy Edgar, Secretary for the
National Board of Directors.
Unfortunately we have members from time to
time who suffer a loss or become very ill. We
want to send flowers or a gift and have done
that in the past with Treasury money. This
issue was brought up recently by our Treasurer
and the 4 officers agreed that this expense
should not come out of the Treasury. Jeff
announced the creation of a Sunshine Fund
which will be funded by voluntary donations
from our members. We collected $64.26 at the
meeting. This Fund will be managed and
reported on by the Secretary.
Our speaker, Rev. Charles O. Walker, had not
arrived yet so Jeff proceeded with the Business
meeting.
Old Business
The minutes of the September 8, 2007
meeting were approved as written in the
November/December 2007 Moccasin Track
News newsletter.
Linda Geiger, Treasurer, was not at the
meeting due to a prior commitment so
Secretary Linda Baker presented a very brief
financial report. The Treasury balance on
January 1, 2007 was $9728.22. The balance
on December 31, 2007 was $11,379.91. At the
March meeting the Treasurer will present a
more detailed financial report for membership
approval.
Jeff asked Tommy Cox to report on the
November 2007 meeting of the National Board
of Directors. The following are some of the
highlights of that meeting:
*Starting in 2008 there are 4 new levels
of membership in addition to the regular
membership fee of $25: Student ($10),
Sponsor ($100), Patron ($500) and Benefactor
($1000); [NOTE: If you join at the higher
levels and do not specify otherwise, the GA
Chapter will still only receive $10 of your dues.
If this is your wish, that is fine; if not and if you
are joining at the higher levels, please specify
on your renewal form how much of your
membership dues you wish to be returned to
the GA Chapter. ]
*The Feasibility Study to extend the Trail
into Georgia and North Carolina and add
additional trails in other states is in the
final stages;
*The cooperative agreement between the
TOTA and the National Park Service has been
renewed;
*The next TOTA National Conference will
be held from September 22 – 25, 2008 in Little
Rock, AR;
*Gail King of the Alabama Chapter
proposed that Alabama host the 2009 TOTA
National Conference;
*The National Bylaws should be ready for
review in February 2008;
*The officers of the National Board are
Jack Baker, President, Troy Poteete, VicePresident, Patsy Edgar, Secretary and Bobbie
Heffington, Treasurer. Ken Blankenship of the
Eastern Band of Cherokee is filling an
unexpired term as an at-large director.
Jeff asked Kathy Cox to report on the 2007
National Conference. Kathy said that she and
Tommy have received lots of positive feedback
about the Conference. Many people
commented on the great hospitality area and
also that the break-out sessions were some of
the best ever. Thanks to fundraising and many
generous donations, the Conference paid for
itself and generated a surplus of $559.94 for
the Treasury. Secretary Linda Baker has sent
thank you notes to all known donors. Kathy
also announced that there are some remaining
volunteer shirts ($15) and commemorative
shirts ($10) for sale. Jeff concluded by thanking
everyone who helped in any way with the
Conference.
Jeff gave an update on the Cedartown removal
camp project. The National Park Service has
admitted dropping the ball on this and
expressed their apologies at not having it ready
for the 2007 Conference. Andrea Sharon of the
NPS spent 3 days in Cedartown with Jeff and
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Dr. Sarah Hill - Steve Burns of the NPS has
prepared a site plan. Cedartown officials are
totally in support of this project. There will be a
walkway with wayside exhibits around the Big
Spring Park in Cedartown. The grand opening
to the public will be in November 2008.
New Business
In an effort to inform our members and the
TOTA about what we are doing in the Georgia
Chapter, Jeff did a presentation on the new
Online Research Database. This will be
accessible to all members from the Georgia
Chapter website, www.gatrailoftears.org. You
will also need to download Google Earth onto
your computer. The database contains towns,
home sites and other Cherokee-related sites. It
also holds photos, documents and all the
original land lottery maps. All site inventory
forms will now go to Doug Mabry – Doug will
review them and pass them on to Linda Geiger
for inclusion on the database. Jeff will soon
announce a Research workshop to be held at
New Echota sometime in February. The Online
Research Database will be more fully explained
at that time.
Jeff also announced that he wanted to form a
Fort Buffington committee for the purpose of
identifying the actual location of the removal
fort in Cherokee County and hopefully getting
signage and ultimately certification of the site.
He asked for volunteers to be on this ad hoc
committee.
The business meeting adjourned at 11:30 AM.
Following a short break, Jeff introduced the
guest speaker Rev. Charles O. Walker,
Pickens County historian, author and artist.
Rev. Walker gave an interesting presentation
on Pickens County history illustrated with his
pen and ink drawings including those of
Cherokee tools and Cherokee-related
structures. He also showed an 1832 Land
Lottery map and said these are available at
County courthouses. Rev. Walker also gave
permission for any of his artwork to be placed
on the Online Research Database as long as
he is credited as the artist. Jeff thanked Rev.
Walker for this generous offer and for being our
guest speaker.
Several nice door prizes donated by Brenda
Yancey, Marvin Sowder and Linda Baker were
given away.
The meeting was adjourned at 12:30 PM to be
followed by lunch and a Board meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
Linda Baker, Secretary
Research Workshop a Success
February 16th the research workshop was held at New Echota. We thank David Gomez for coordinating this effort and for his diligence to ensure
that we were undisturbed and comfortable. There were about 31 attendees.
Doug Mabry began the workshop with an outline of Myth and History. He referred to the site reports that GATOTA members have been submitting
and mentioned that local legends although there is always some truth in them, may not always be factual. He brought to light that many so called certified
sites documented in books may not be so. Sometimes there may be embellishments added to the local history and further investigations have proved that
often the site may be much later than indicated. We must prioritize our information to include forts, encampments, stockades used in removal. Next we
need the routes used in removal and lastly the major players. When archaeological sites are mentioned we need to be careful about how much detail we
want to give to the general public. We have a responsibility for what information we share with the public to prevent looting and destruction of the sites.
Linda Geiger gave a power point presentation on getting organized with our research materials.
1. We need to utilize a resource list or form of our own design to determine what resources we have already read or what materials we have
researched at archives or libraries to prevent duplicating our efforts.
2. Before we go to a facility to do research, do a task list/research log of items or details we are looking for, so that we don’t waste valuable
time trying to figure out what we need.
3. Utilized online catalogs for the places we may be going, such as archives or libraries, to determine what items they have that may be of
use to us.
4. Make photocopies of the items you want to preserve or further review when you have more time. Use digital cameras for pictures of the
items. Some places allow computers, some don’t. Write a summary on your task list so that you will know whether or not that source was of
any value.
5. When exploring a site in person utilize a fishing vest – it has many pockets for storing items such as a soft brush, small trowel, camera,
GPS device, notepad and pen, digital recorder, and baggies. Never take artifacts you find from a site. List all the pertinent information, i.e.
locale etc. Then report findings to our research coordinator Doug Mabry or president Jeff Bishop so that a dig can be set up if it proves to
be important.
Dr. Sarah Hill presented a program called Research 101. The kinds of evidence needed for our site research efforts are Primary and Secondary.
Primary is considered anything written as an eyewitness to the event. It is credible. Such items might be letters or manuscripts and diaries. Some places
to look for this information on the internet are galfe2.gsu.edu which is a Galileo website that has photocopied hundreds of Cherokee and Creek documents.
Another site is the Georgia Department of Archives website. You can browse these sites by subject, key words, or by directories. Evaluate your online
resources for reliability. URLS with .edu, .gov, or .museum are considered reliable. Be sure to cite your sources whenever doing resources. You want to
list the author, title of the work, date that it was written, URL, and the date you found the source. No one needs to be an expert at any of this. We are all
learning.
All records that are referred to at the Archives with an ID number of RG75 are BIA records. All records listed as M-1475 are removal
correspondence. RG-94 is the identifier for Adjutant General Records.
Many of these records are in the research library at New Echota. When
using microfilm be sure to write down the reel and where you found the
microfilm. List the roll number, microfilm numbers, file unit, and of
course the page number in case you need to go back to this source.
Your secondary resource or evidence would be from books. Always make
sure the author cites his/her sources in a bibliography. It is important
the author have supporting evidence for their statements of fact. Mine
the bibliography for other research sources and look for footnotes.
Always compare data and make sure that one source isn’t being utilized
by a number of authors that isn’t credible.
Attendees at workshop
We were delighted to have Mike Wren discuss sources for Hidden
watch power point
presentations
Treasures. He told us we need to think outside the box. Use original
documents whenever possible. Those would be actual letters, the
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Forsyth Author to Speak to the
Trail of Tears Association
By Linda Baker
The next meeting of the Georgia Chapter of the Trail of
Tears Association will be held at 10:30 AM on Saturday,
March 8, 2008 at the Cumming Playhouse in Cumming,
Forsyth County, GA. The 1923 Cumming School was
restored and reopened to the public in July 2004. In 2000
the school was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places through the efforts of the Historical Society of
Forsyth County under the leadership of Annette Bramblett.
In addition to the Playhouse, this historic building houses
the Historical Society headquarters, the Bell Research
Center, a 2000-book library of Southern history, replicas of
1930s – 1950s classrooms and a garden of native plants.
The speaker at this meeting will be Don Shadburn,
Forsyth County historian, author and retired teacher. Some
of his books are “Pioneer History of Forsyth County,
Georgia”, “Cherokee Planters in Georgia, 1832 – 1838” and
“Unhallowed Intrusion: A History of Cherokee Families in
Forsyth County, Georgia”. “Unhallowed Intrusion”
received the first Lilla Mills Hawes Award presented by the
Georgia Historical Society for the most outstanding
regional history published in 1993 – 1994.
The Trail of Tears Association and its major partner, the
National Park Service, are dedicated to identifying and
preserving sites associated with the removal of Native
Americans from the Southeast. We are also committed to
educating the public about this tragic period in our
country’s history. The TOTA was created to support the
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail established by an act
of Congress in 1987. The Association consists of nine state
chapters representing the nine states that the Cherokee and
other tribes traveled through on their way to present-day
Arkansas and Oklahoma. The forced removal of the
Cherokee was completed in 1838.
You need not be a member to attend our chapter
meetings nor have Indian heritage, just an interest and
desire to learn more about this fascinating subject. There is
no fee to attend. For more information about the TOTA,
visit the National website at www.nationaltota.org or the
Georgia Chapter website at www.gatrailoftears.org. For
questions about the TOTA or the March meeting, contact
Linda Baker at 770-704-6338 or [email protected].
The Cumming Playhouse is located at 101 School Street
in downtown Cumming. For directions call 770-781-9178
or
visit
the
Playhouse
website
at
www.playhousecumming.com. HOPE YOU CAN
ATTEND!!
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Cherokee Phoenix newspapers which are all on microfilm at New Echota, and archival materials which are often original copies on microfilm or actual
letters in files. In the RG-75 BIA Records are the spoliation claim papers… these are entry number 231. RG-75 Entry #232 are the Decisions on those
spoliations – volume 2. Volume 1 is located in Savannah for some reason. Here you will find the valuations of property and names of those removed from
certain areas. RG-75 E #236 are Miscellaneous Claim Papers. Never assume published works are complete and whenever possible go to the source.
As an aside to this article… member Jack Richardson read in the AJC an article printed on Feb. 17th concerning a newly microfilmed collection
called the Magruder Collection consisting of newspapers from the early 1800’s on. This collection is located at the Kenan Research Center in Atlanta.
http://www.ajc.com/search/content/living/stories/2008/02/15/newspapers0217.html
Presenters Mike Wren, Doug Mabry and
Dr. Sarah Hill chatting after the workshop/
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Rare Dugout Canoe Scheduled for Public
Display at Fernbank Museum of Natural History
Georgia Department of Natural Resources and Fernbank Museum
of Natural History to preserve this rare canoe, so future
generations can learn about its significance to the history of our
ATLANTA – Fernbank Museum of Natural History will soon unveil region.”
Fernbank Museum spent a year preparing the canoe for display,
a 17- foot-long dugout canoe that was donated to the Museum
including radio-carbon dating it, cleaning the water-logged wood
by international forest products company Rayonier last year.
The historic find – one of only a few ever documented in Georgia – and protecting the artifact with a chemical solution that replaced
the water with natural oils. Blanton also studied tree rings in
was discovered submerged in sand and shallow water on
Rayonier property adjacent to the Satilla River in Ware County in the wood itself, revealing that the canoe was made from a single
long-leaf pine tree that was more than 200 years old at the time
2006.
it was crafted into a canoe. Recognizing charred wood inside the
The canoe, which dates to approximately 1680-1740, will go on
canoe, he also determined it was hollowed out using a traditional
display in Fernbank’s First Georgiansexhibition of Native
burn-and-scrape method.
American objects on March 1, 2008. In celebration of the
Native Americans most likely would have burned some of the tree
installation, the Museum will first welcome some of the people
to hollow it, then used shell or stone tools—until the introduction
instrumental in finding, protecting and donating this historic
artifact, including Josh Landon, who first spotted the canoe in the of metal tools by the Spanish—to scrape away pieces of wood.
An average canoe measured approximately 15 feet long and could
low water levels of the Satilla River. Also on hand will be
representatives from Rayonier, who safeguarded the canoe while carry several people, such as a family.
Blanton, who is conducting archaeological research on Native
finding it a home at Fernbank to assure its preservation and
American sites in South Georgia, has been trying his own hand at
access for research.
carving a dugout canoe with a group of archaeology participants
Fernbank Museum is dedicated to telling the story of Native
using traditional Native American methods, including the use of a
American life both before and after European arrival in Georgia
metal tool recreated from an artifact he recently excavated in
and will use this important artifact to further teach visitors
Telfair County. They also have tried a few modern tools for
about Georgia’s first citizens.
“We can’t understand local Indian lifeways without considering the comparison.
He said he was impressed with how well the primitive metal
role of dugout canoes, any more than we can think about our
hatchet worked. “I could really imagine how Indians would have
own society without taking cars into account,” said Dennis
been enamored with the metal tools introduced by the Spaniards.”
Blanton, Curator of Native American Archaeology for Fernbank
After investing more than 20 hours of work burning and scraping
Museum.
“Dugout canoes were the only transportation alternative available the unfinished 12-foot canoe, Blanton and a handful of other
interested participants have a new appreciation for the process.
to local Indians beyond foot travel, and they were especially
“It takes a lot of effort, as simple as it sounds,” he said. “The
important on Georgia’s coast and in the wetlands of South
labor has made it clear to me that these canoes would have been
Georgia.”
valuable based on not only effort, but on the canoes’ ultimate
“Rayonier has a long history of protecting special sites on its
uses. Indians would have valued these canoes as much as we
lands. As foresters, we’re usually focused on conservation of the
value our cars today.”
sites themselves, which may have historical, cultural, geological,
Blanton said he’s looking forward to continuing his hand at
ecological or recreational value. In this case, we had the
Native American craftsmanship, but that his original impression
privilege of helping to preserve an extraordinary item discovered
still holds true: “All along, I’ve just been happy I already had a
on our lands,” said Larry Davis, director of Eastern Forest
canoe and didn’t ‘have’ to make one.”
Resources for Rayonier. “We’re very pleased to partner with the
John Ross Bridge a Reality
Part of an article by Diane Wagner, Rome News-Tribune, staff writer
The Rome City Commission plans to dedicate the city’s newest pedestrian bridge in memory of the 19th century
Cherokee Nation chief who owned a plantation and ferry business at the confluence of the Oostanaula and Etowah
rivers. Commissioners informally agreed this weekend that John Ross Crossing should be the name of the footbridge
spanning the Oostanaula between The Forum and West Third Street. A plaque will detail his unsuccessful fight to
stop the Cherokees’ 1838 forced removal to Oklahoma on the Trail of Tears. “A lot of people think this is a good
idea, especially since we are the beginning (point) of the Trail of Tears,” Mayor Wright Bagby Jr. said. The bridge
will be dedicated April 25 during the city’s inaugural River Days festival and an action item confirming the decision
is scheduled to be on the board’s March 3 agenda.
http://news.mywebpal.com/partners/680/public/news879897.html
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Georgia DOT Archaeologists
Members of GATOTA were treated
to an excellent talk given February 19th at
the Cherokee County Historical Society, by
the archaeologists working on a project in
North Georgia. The Georgia DOT has 5
staff archaeologist that do nothing by
examine historic sites that may be in the
way of roadway expansions throughout
Georgia. Protection of historic and
archeological resources must be considered
as part of the decision making process for
transportation projects.
Numerous laws and regulations call for
preservation and enhancement of cultural
Dr. Lynn Pietak
Terri Lotti
resources. For transportation projects, the
primary laws related to historic preservation
are Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, and Section 4(f) of the U.S. Department of
Transportation Act. For purposes of Section 106 and Section 4(f), historic properties include any historic district, site,
building, structure or object included in, or eligible for inclusion in, the National Register of Historic Places.
Transportation officials are required to make a good faith effort to identify historic properties that may be
affected by a transportation project. A discussion of the effects on historic properties must be included in the
environmental documentation. This discussion is to be commensurate with the importance of the historic properties as
well as the magnitude of the project’s impacts on those properties.
http://environment.transportation.org/ is a helpful website to understand the depth of this effort. The website
is currently being updated with recent discoveries at the site known as 9CK1 or Long Swamp Village in Cherokee
County. The roadway 372 is being straightened out and evidence had been known to be in existence for sometime
that there were artifacts in the area.
Teresa Lotti, project manager for the site and Dr. Lynn Pietak of Edwards-Pitman Environmental, Inc.
contend “The workers are archaeologists, and under federal law, they are as critical to laying asphalt as the machines
that make a roadbed or laborers who spread tar. Georgia's $1 billion-plus a year of federal road-building money
hinges on their ability to preserve historical sites before the asphalt hits the ground.” In Cherokee County, before Ga.
372 near Ball Ground can be widened and straightened out, it means digging down into history at the Long Swamp
site by the Etowah River, square by square through ground the length of three football fields. Contractors overseen by
Lotti are finding artifacts, such as pottery shards with crosshatch indentations typical of Georgia's historical tribes,
though none of it has been properly cleaned and analyzed yet.
They are awed to be working in the footsteps of Robert Wauchope, a Southern archaeologist who DOT says
first recorded the Long Swamp site in 1938. When thoroughly excavated, the site might show occupation by Native
Americans from 1000 BC to around 800 -1200 AD. Pieces found so far indicate they are from the Woodstock and
Etowah period.
There is no evidence showing that the site was occupied by Cherokees. In 1996 and 2003 Adam King
published worked concerning findings at Long Swamp for the Southeastern Archaeological Services. Much research
has been done and the current findings substantiate those historical findings. There is a Mitchell map from 1755 that
lists the village of Long Swamp on it. It is thought that the archaeology extends much farther than the current dig will
uncover. Plans are to be completed with this project by mid April 2008.
The project is fenced and secured. Visitors are not encouraged however if you contact Terri Lotti through the
DOT arrangements can be made.
7
119 Rising Star Rd.
Ellijay, GA. 30536
Jeff Bishop—President
Leslie Thomas—Vice President/Programs/
Newsletter ([email protected])
Linda Baker—Secretary/Publicity
Linda Geiger—Treasurer
Dola Davis—National Director
Tommy Cox—National Director
http://www.gatrailoftears.com.
Events of Interest:
Amicalola Falls State Park and Lodge
Saturday, Mar 1, 2008 to Sunday, Mar 2nd
This program is a must for backpackers or
anyone who has ever dreamed of hiking the
AT. Enjoy demonstrations and workshops by
professionals and retailers on an assortment
of backpacking gear, and take part in discussions on trip preparation. Hear about
Appalachian Trail adventures from wellknown authors and hikers. $3 parking. 706265-1969
Saturday, Apr 12, 2008 to Sunday, Apr 13th
Enjoy a wildflower identification hike and
learn more about edible and medicinal
plants. Join a variety of activities as we celebrate the arrival of spring at the park. $3
parking. 706-265-1969
Students will learn about farm animals during a special program brought to the Appalachian Settlement by Darlene Schoals from
Barnyard Friends of Canton. You can expect
a hands-on experience with the animals as
you learn about their care and how they help
and nourish us.
Children will also see what life on a 19th
century farm was like by visiting a log cabin
and hearing historic interpreters talk about
their chores.
This program is available for students in
grades K - 5. The cost is $7 per student, and
reservations are required. If teachers want
their classes to also visit the museum following the program, there is an additional $2
fee. Call 770-720-5970 for information and
reservations.
Appalachian Music Workshop at the
Funk Heritage Center
Etowah Mounds
School Day - March 28, 2008
Saturday, Apr 12, 2008 10 AM - 4 PM
Join us for demonstrations of native peoples Family Day - Saturday, March 29, 2008 10
skills and artifact identification. Contribute to a.m. & Noon
the Friends of Etowah with a delicious bar- Featuring Little Windows from Durham,
North Carolina
becue in the picnic area. $2.50 - $4. 770Creating a mix of Appalachian and Irish mu387-3747.
sic, and traditionally-based originals, with a
special focus placed on unaccompanied
Funk Heritage Center
ballads.
Farm Day School Field Trip - March 12th
8
School Field Trip- March 28, 2008
This unique field trip will delight students
with singing, dancing, storytelling and oldtime music lessons. The music presentation
will engage children in fun and active learning about our musical heritage. Weather
permitting, students will visit the Appalachian Settlement to see log cabin cooking,
butter-churning and woodworking. They will
also visit the museum to see a film on the
Southeastern Indians, visit the Hall of the
Ancients and see historic tools. The fee is
$8 per student with one adult free per 20
students. If teachers want their class to also
visit the museum following the program,
there is an additional $2 fee. Call 770-7205970 for program times, additional information and reservations.
Family Day - Saturday, March 29, - 10 a.m.
& Noon—Programs will be held at 10:00
a.m. and 12 noon. The fee is $8 per person.
Parents and children will all enjoy participating in the program as a family. Weather permitting, the program will be held in the Appalachian Settlement. Call 770-720-5969 for
additional information.
Please check the gastateparks.org site for more
events.