Thursday, July 11, 1:30 - 3:00pm
Archaeology in Collierville
Archaeology is the study of past cultures through the material remains people leave behind. Explore the basic principles of archaeological field work, learn about several digs conducted in Collierville, Tennessee, and discover the rich cultural heritage exposed through these excavations. Following the presentation, use air dry clay to replicate examples of Mississippian vessels unearthed in Collierville and proudly featured in the Morton Museum’s collection.
Neecole Gregory currently serves as the Collections and Special Projects Coordinator at the Morton Museum and has always held a deep love for the ancient world. Gregory earned a B.A. in Archaeology / Classical Studies from Randolph-Macon College and attended the Sanisera Archaeology Institute for International Field Schools before completing an M.A. and Museum Studies certificate at the University of Memphis in 2021. She has participated in international archaeological digs, both on the ground and underwater, in hopes of developing a deeper understanding of humanity's past.
Thursday, July 18, 1:30 - 2:30pm
Cemetery Law in Tennessee
Cemeteries serve as vital places for remembering and honoring those who have passed away, and as rich sources of historical information about our ancestors' lives. In this workshop, Graham Perry, of the Tennessee Historic Cemetery Preservation Program, seeks to inform Tennessee residents about the legislation protecting these sites and to empower them with the knowledge of their role in preserving these important cultural landmarks.
Graham Perry, Historic Cemetery Preservation Specialist at the Tennessee Historical Commission, is a native Tennessean, with roots in both Nashville and Memphis. He has a BBA from Belmont University, an MA in African American History from the University of Memphis, an MA in Education from Christian Brothers University, and had completed PhD coursework at the University of Memphis prior to returning to Nashville in 2008 to serve as the Curator of Social History at the Tennessee State Museum. Since 2019, he has been developing THC’s Historic Cemetery Preservation Program, the purpose of which is to provide information, education and other resources to help facilitate historic cemetery preservation throughout the state.
Thursday, July 25, 1:30 - 3:00pm
Collecting Folklife in Your Own Backyard
Folklife is the knowledge, expressions, and ways of living passed down through cultural communities around the world. In this workshop, cultural anthropologist Tony Kail shares his experiences collecting folklife during his fieldwork in the Mid-South. Kail will share his work collecting oral traditions, beliefs and material culture among different communities in the state. Following the presentation, participants are invited to create their own Story Journal - a space to inscribe personal experiences that cultivate their personal folklife.
Tony Kail is a cultural anthropologist and writer who has been involved in folklife research for more than thirty years. Kail serves as curator of the Humboldt Historical Museum in Humboldt Tennessee and teaches in the Anthropology Department for Southern New Hampshire University. He is the author of several books including “Fieldwork with the Saints: An Ethnographic Journey into Santeria in the American South” from AnthroFolk Research Associates (2024) and “A Secret History of Memphis Hoodoo: Rootworkers, Conjurers and Spirituals” from The History Press (2017).
