Linda Derry

Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, Alabama Historical Commission, 719 Tremont Street, Selma, AL 36701, 334/875-2529 fax: 334/877-4253, cahawba@bellsouth.net

Description of past and current involvement in public education and outreach

Since the mid 1980s I have been the site director and site archaeologist for Old Cahawba, a developing archaeological park managed by the Alabama Historical Commission (SHPO). In this position, I undertake K-12 educational outreach alongside "general public" outreach activities including outdoor interpretive signs, trail brochures, traditional site tours, and a substantial amount of public lectures throughout the state. My research at the site involves extensive community outreach, especially with descendant communities.

I am certified as an Interpretive Guide by the National Association for Interpretation and teach workshops on interpretive theory and practice for archaeologists. In the early 1980's, I worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation where I directed an archaeological site where busloads of tourists were invited to observe and interact with archaeologists daily. I also helped train the interpretive staff at the foundation. My museum outreach activities started when as an undergraduate work-study student, I helped coordinate an avocational archaeology club for the Southern Illinois University Museum and completed an internship which involved planning and coordinating special events at state-owned historic and archaeological sites. Since then, I've worked in public archaeology in the state historic preservation offices of Alabama, Virginia, Massachusetts and Illinois.

I am an active member of the Society for Historical Archaeology's Public Education and Information Committee (PEIC) and since 1992, I have been a member of the Society for American Archaeology's Public Education Committee (PEC). For many years, I served as the PEC's Network Coordinator for the State of Alabama. In 2004, I taught a 4 hour workshop on interpretation sponsored by the PEC. I am also currently serving on the SAA's Excellence in Public Education Awards Committee.

For the last 20 years I have been an officer and board member of the Alabama Archaeological Society, whose membership includes both avocational and professional archaeologists. I created their annual public education grant program. I also help raise money for this worthy program and serve on their Public Education Committee. I am the Project Archaeology Coordinator for Alabama, and the co-author of Discovering Alabama Archaeology, Project Archaeology's state handbook. I have recently teamed up with educators and naturalists to develop and implement a Discovering Alabama's Heritage Teacher workshop which is linked to a popular Alabama Public Television series called Discovering Alabama which promotes exploration and understanding of local environment and heritage. A curriculum specialist is currently working with us to determine if these workshops can be developed into a statewide curriculum for gifted students.

Over the last few years, I have both co-organized and participated in several conference sessions on public archaeology in both the U.S. and abroad, presenting on theoretical issues, applied practice, and interpretative strategies. I have also published on these topics; the most recent example is a booklet published by SAA called Archaeologists andLocal Communities: Partners in Exploring the Past, a volume that I co-edited with Maureen Malloy. I was also recently named to the editorial board for American Archaeology, the Archaeological Conservancy's popular and colorful magazine.

Interest in PEC Membership

I hoped to benefit from fellowship with other practitioners of public archaeology and to be energized by their good work. Hopefully, my experience in community archaeology and heritage interpretation will benefit the committee. True Confession: When I personally discovered an archaeology that truly engaged the public, I had a conversion experience, and now I have a burning missionary zeal to go forth and turn others toward the light! I'd like to do my part to help the archaeological community acquire the tools and skills needed to inspire their publics to be good stewards of archaeological resources.

Area of interest: community archaeology, descendant communities, interpretive training

Target Audience: Other archaeologists