Rhodes College saw the need to come out of his semi-retired status to participate in the dig because he was 99.9% sure he would find human remains outside the fenced area. “Once we get things cleaned up we will be able to prove beyond the shadow of the doubt that there are graves outside of the fenced enclosure,” Weaver said. “We believe this very driveway and this large concrete space could have been poured over graves at some point in the past.” Dr. Cynthia Sadler, an instructor of history at Southwest Tennessee Community College and Community Engagement Consultant, greatly assisted the area to become a Preserve America Community, a White House initiative that “recognizes communities that preserve, protect, and celebrate their heritage, use their historic assets for economic development and community revitalization, and encourage residents to experience and appreciate local historic resources through education and heritage tourism.” “Orange Mound is the only African American community in the State of Tennessee to have this designation,” said Dr. Sadler, a historian with the Memphis Heritage Trail. “I am committed to preserving tangible and intangible cultural heritage. Through oral histories, archival research, and other methodologies, I work with neighborhoods to preserve and promote cultural assets that can contribute to civic engagement, empowerment, stewardship, and cultural tourism. The dig discovered one unmarked grave outside the fence on day one and several native American artifacts were uncovered on day two. Additional work, to continue in the spring, will include placing an historic marker at the site. 15
16 Publizr Home