The History Workshop
Since the early years of the company, Brockington and Associates has developed public education programs as part of impact mitigation for archaeological sites and historic properties. In 2004, we launched The History Workshop, a formal division of the company devoted to public education.
Federal and state agencies often include public education elements along with their general impact mitigation actions. Not coincidentally, agencies also frequently have public education as an integral part of their overall mission. For our private clients, public education elements can also serve as attractive enrichment features.
The History Workshop can create exhibits, displays, brochures, books, websites, interpretive tours and trails, documentary videos, interactive kiosks, curriculum guides for teachers, and artifact reproductions. In addition, we can: develop concepts and master plans; plan and design museums; support and write applications for grants; train docents; and organize public appearances. We do this work with our in-house staff of interpreters, designers, cinematographers, ceramists, historians, archaeologists, and educators.
War of 1812 Exhibit Exemplifies Public-Private Collaboration
We recently installed Forgotten Invasion, an exhibit in St. Marys, Georgia. Brockington and Associates archaeologists discovered a War of 1812 fort during excavations undertaken for Land Resource Companies. The History Workshop collaborated with archaeologists to develop the exhibit, which includes display panels, artifact cases, mannequins, and a documentary video. The exhibit is an exemplary collaboration between private industry and government agencies. As U.S. Representative Jack Kingston said at the exhibit opening, “This is the type of public-private partnership we’re all looking for.”
Highlighting Georgetown’s Multicultural Heritage
The History Workshop created five new exhibits at The Rice Museum in Georgetown, South Carolina. Display panels, artifacts, ceramic reproductions and two interactive kiosks highlight Georgetown’s multicultural heritage, including the story of Joseph Rainey, who was America’s first Black U.S. Congressman, as well as Ruby Forsythe, who taught African-American children in a one-room schoolhouse for 53 years. The Plantation Footprints exhibit reveals details of life at two antebellum rice plantations near Georgetown through historic documentation and archaeology. Additional exhibits recreate a turn-of-the-century hardware store and office. Museum director Jim Fitch received the 2005 Heritage Tourism Award for his leadership in the restoration of the historic Kaminski Building, which houses the exhibits.
Drawing Visitors to National Historic Landmark
At the National Historic Landmark U.S. Snagboat Montgomery in Pickensville, Alabama, The History Workshop designed and installed interpretive panels and an interactive kiosk in the visitor center. The kiosk provides four video presentations that can be used by all visitors. It is especially beneficial to visitors with disabilities, since the Montgomery is not wheelchair-accessible. A full color card brochure draws visitors to the Montgomery, while a new interpretive brochure enhances the tour experience. The Montgomery’s website provides a history of the boat, maritime tours, and educational PDFs for visiting classroom groups.
Enriching Education While Meeting Cirriculum Guidelines
The History Workshop created educational materials for The Ford Plantation, in Bryan County, Georgia. These materials provide Bryan County’s fourth- and sixth-grade teachers with a series of lessons about the archaeology and history of Henry Ford’s former plantation. Lessons include PowerPoint presentations, a plantation history booklet, lesson plans, student handouts, teacher answer sheets, and a complete bibiography. Supported by a set of classroom books about archaeology and plantation life, the materials meet many of the objectives required under Georgia’s social studies and science curriculum guidelines.
More information about The History Workshop and a portfolio of our work can be found at http://www.thehistoryworkshop.com/
Archaeologist Patrick Severts involves kids in the making of earthenware pottery, letting them know also how families lived and worked in the past.
Senior Project Manager Carol Poplin shows Mr. Dan Bowen, former Cultural Resources Officer for Naval Air Station Pensacola, one of the display cases The History Workshop created at the Naval Air Station Pensacola Library.
