For Immediate Release  
November 30, 2006
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“Power of Place” Summit Brings together African American Leaders, Historians and Citizens to Expand Research on Heritage Sites

Waterford, Virginia – The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership and the Afro-American Historical Association of Fauquier County hosted “The Power of Place” workshop in November for African American organizations and heritage sites to discuss the Journey Through Hallowed Ground’s efforts to document African American heritage along the four-state historic corridor.

According to Beth Erickson, event organizer and JTHG Director of Communications, the summit provided an opportunity for African-American historical societies, heritage areas, civil rights and community based organizations to explore new research avenues and source material and to identify new ways to expand the understanding and visibility of African American heritage along the Journey. “Over 75 people from four states traveled to the summit and we were so impressed by the enthusiasm and support in the room. These folks plan to work together to bring the amazing stories of African Americans along The Journey alive for visitors, residents and future generations. We have already scheduled our second meeting which will take place at the end of January.”

“The Power of Place” project, funding for which is funded in part by a grant by The Virginia Foundation for the Humanities to the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership, will achieve several goals:

• Research and identify African American sites along the JTHG, interpret them and ensure that this critical element of our American heritage is integrated into the educational and outreach materials of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership.
• Support the creation of a database of sites and develop itineraries that will encourage visitors to experience history in a more tangible and meaningful way, supporting interest in African American heritage tourism and genealogy.
• To expand the number of sites related to African American History along the Journey and enhance the interpretation of African American history for existing sites, and include stories of "People in the Places" who helped create history.

Keynote speaker Robert Stanton, former director of the National Park Service, said “I truly enjoyed my time with the many fine citizens in attendance who are dedicated to the noble cause of celebrating our rich and diverse resources for this and future generations. I applaud The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership for its vision and leadership.”

Other speakers included Dr. Deborah Lee, consulting historian to JTHG who is spearheading the research grant; Cate Magennis Wyatt, president of JTHG, who provided an overview of the partnership goals and objectives; Deborah Daniels from American Legacy Magazine who addressed marketing opportunities for African American heritage organizations; and Christina Draper from the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities who discussed grant opportunities for African American heritage sites.

The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership is working closely with Senator George Allen and Congressman Frank Wolf to educate the public about the proposed legislation to create The Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area. According to partnership officials, there is strong grass roots support for this and other JTHG initiatives. Cate Magennis Wyatt said “The Partnership has a growing list totaling over 150 partners in four states, representing leading businesses, citizens, policy groups and elected officials. For example, over 74 registered, elected organizations, each of whom has chosen to consider the facts, deliberate in open forums, and then chosen to support proposed the Journey’s proposed National Heritage Area designation as well as an effort to achieve National Scenic Byway designation.

Terrel Delphin, a speaker representing the Cane River National Heritage Area in Natchitochas, LA spoke to the summit participants about the benefits of a National Heritage Area: “For too long, minorities have been left out of the discussion of our heritage. Heritage areas provided us the opportunity to define and tell our own history and through the representation of different cultures we’ve become a larger community.”

Those in attendance showed their support of the creation of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area by drafting and signing a letter to John Nau, Chairman of the President’s Council on Historic Preservation, urging him to support the legislation. Attendees included, among others, representatives from Lincoln Cemetery, Scrabble School Preservation Foundation; Prince William County; Friends of the Thomas Balch Library; Harpers Ferry; Monticello; Montpelier, and Manassas National Battlefield.