NSU partners to host cultural & historical preservation event

(Tahlequah, Oklahoma) - Individuals can reconnect with Green Countrys rich heritage during a special preservation and restoration event at Northeastern State University, Sept. 27-28. Held in conjunction with NSUs homecoming celebration, the two-day event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Tahlequah campus, will feature digital preservation and oral history stations, as well as presentations and workshopsall showcasing the regions top resources for preserving, restoring and sharing historical artifacts. The event is free and open to the public.

Paving the Way: Green Countrys Cultural & Historical Preservation Initiative 2019 is a combined effort with state, tribal and regional entities made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Brenda Bradford, NSU head of Special Collections and Archives, is eager to see the interesting history that could walk through her door during the event and is equally excited to capture it with the addition of much-needed, grant-funded archival equipment.

I am hoping to generate excitement in our local history through our fantastic speakers. I want guests to walk away with digital copies of their material, an understanding on how to preserve their family history, and how to help safeguard and protect it. This is a great way to connect with community, share a variety of services available in our area and work towards future collaborative efforts.

Guest speakers will cover a wide variety of topics such as local, NSU/Seminary and Cherokee history, preservation methods for family artifacts, as well as provide hands-on, basic emergency care training for material in case of a manmade or natural disaster.

Individuals are invited to bring up to 10 historical artifactsphotographs, documents, letters, heirlooms and treasured memorabiliafor members of the NSU Archives team and Oklahoma Department of Libraries to scan/digitize at their preservation stations. Participants will be given a free flash drive loaded with their digitized items and the opportunity to share their respective and applicable history in forthcoming physical and digitally accessible collections that result from the effort.

Historical images, artifacts and documents related to Tahlequah and the surrounding Green Country communities, NSU, Seminary Hall and Native American-related items, are of particular interest for the initiative, Bradford said.

An oral history station will also be onsite to capture stories passed down through generations or lived firsthand.

Initiative partners to date include the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, Tahlequah Chapter - Daughters of the Revolutionary War, NSU Center of Tribal Studies, Cherokee Heritage Center, NSU Alumni Center, NSU Native American Support Center, Hunters Home, The Oklahoma Historical Society, NSU University Relations, Tahlequah Genealogy Society, The Five Tribes Museum, Cane Hill Museum Arkansas, Cherokee Nation Tourism & Community Relations, The War Memorial Park, The United Keetoowah Band John Hair Cultural Center & Museum, Tahlequah Chamber of Commerce, Museum of Native American History Arkansas and Osage Culture Center.

For more information, contact Bradford at 918-444-3220.