MAPPING HISTORICAL TRAUMA IN TULSA 1921-2021
Mapping Historical Trauma in Tulsa, 1921-2021 is a collaborative research project exploring the history and legacy of the Tulsa (Oklahoma) Race Massacre. Led by two archaeologists who were born and raised in Tulsa –– Dr. Alicia Odewale (University of Tulsa) and Dr. Parker VanValkenburgh (Brown University) –– the project brings together students and a diverse group of community partners to recover and critically evaluate the material traces of the 1921 Massacre and its aftermath. Through digital mapping, collaborative archaeology and the curation and public presentation of research results, we hope to create new, critical sites of memory for Tulsans to examine this dark moment in our shared history and consider its legacies and echoes in the present day.
We are currently accepting volunteers for our 2022 field season. Learn more below and fill out the form here:
https://forms.gle/gAPoDFmLsi2ix9Dt8
MHTT’s 2022 Field Season
The Mapping Historical Trauma in Tulsa from 1921-2021 project will be conducting an archaeological survey in select locations within Greenwood from June 13 to June 24th, 2022, seeking to document the remains of historic structures in the district. To expand the impact of our program, we are excited to provide free archaeological skills training to college and high school students in the greater Tulsa area. In total, we have 15 spaces available for student volunteers. Over the course of the program, students will learn about best practices for archaeological data recording, field survey using high resolution GPS, the history of Greenwood, and approaches in archaeology to highlight both the documentation of anti-Black violence and Black resilience in the 20th century. Students who are unable to participate in the full program are welcome to join us for shorter portions of the research program, but the orientation is required. Spaces are open to all but preference will be given to students from historically underrepresented groups, those with ancestral ties to the Greenwood community, and students with previous experience in archaeology.
The project’s research schedule is as follows:
June 9th & June 10th Virtual Orientation
June 13th Tour of Black Wall Street
June 13-June 17th Archaeological Survey Field Research
June 18th Trip to Juneteenth Festival in Greenwood
June 19th – June 24th Artifact Documentation and Laboratory Work
If you are interested, please fill out the student interest form here by Friday, May 20th and please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions to alicia [DASH] odewale [AT] utulsa [DOT] edu and parker [UNDERSCORE] vanvalkenburgh [AT] brown [DOT] edu
