FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pierce
Email: [email protected]
Historical Photo Session at Pierce Chapel African Cemetery on June 21, 2024
Midland, GA – June 5, 2024 – The Hamilton Hood Foundation is excited to announce a “Freedoms Legacy” Historical Photo Session at the Pierce Chapel African Cemetery on Friday, June 21, 2024. This special event, featuring the renowned visual artist and salt print photographer Hal Hirshorn, will offer a unique and meaningful opportunity to step back in time and honor the rich history of this significant site. Edward Lamboy, a respected local photojournalist, will also be present to capture the event as it unfolds, ensuring that the essence of the day is documented for future generations.
“Join us for a unique and meaningful opportunity as we step back in time at the historical Pierce Chapel African Cemetery,” says Yamona Pierce of the Hamilton Hood Foundation. “This event gives us an opportunity to engage the community during Juneteenth in a unique way. We aim to honor and preserve the rich history of the Pierce Chapel African Cemetery through three vivid re-enactment scenes, featuring members of our community who have a special interest in preserving the lesser-known history of this sacred place.”
Event Highlights:
Three Re-enactment Scenes: The photo session will feature three meticulously crafted re-enactment scenes, directed by Keith Patrick McCoy, artistic director, at the Columbus Springer Opera House, that bring to life the historical and cultural significance of the Pierce Chapel African Cemetery. These scenes will involve community members dedicated to preserving the cemetery’s history.
- Baptismal Scene: Located at the southernmost border of the cemetery at Flat Rock Creek, this scene will depict a traditional baptism ceremony, reflecting the spiritual heritage of the site.
- Perpetual Care Scene: This scene will highlight cemetery caretakers attending to the horticulture, showcasing the ongoing commitment to maintaining the cemetery’s beauty and sanctity.
- Funeral Scene: A solemn re-enactment of a historical funeral, paying tribute to those who rest within the cemetery and the traditions that honored their lives.
Although there were no photographs taken of the historic Pierce Chapel African Cemetery during its early years, artist Hal Hirshorn has imagined what this pre-emancipation sacred and cultural site would have looked like through the photographic techniques of the day, namely salt prints. These re-enactment scenes will be captured using this traditional method, bringing history to life in a visually compelling manner. The photographs will be curated and showcased in an exhibition later in the fall.
The Pierce Chapel African Cemetery, established circa 1827, is the final resting place of enslaved Africans and their descendants. As a cherished site for generations, it holds immense historical and cultural significance for the community and beyond. In recognition of its importance, the National Trust for Historic Preservation listed Pierce Chapel African Cemetery on its prestigious list of America’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in 2023.
Event Details:
Date: Friday, June 21, 2024
Time: 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Pierce Chapel African Cemetery, Harris County, Midland, GA
This event is part of the week of the Annual Juneteenth Commemorative Program, further enriching the celebration of freedom and heritage. We invite everyone to join us for this special occasion and be part of a historical moment that honors the past and inspires the future.
For more information, please visit our website at www.hamiltonhoodfoundation.org or contact us at [email protected].
About the Hamilton Hood Foundation:
The Hamilton Hood Foundation is dedicated to collecting, documenting, and preserving the shared history of minority communities across the United States. Through its programs and initiatives, the foundation highlights untold stories, cultural richness, and genealogical heritage, ensuring that these vital narratives are honored and remembered.
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For press inquiries, please contact:
Pierce
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (800) 367-1065
