The Medallion, Volume 49, Number 4, Fall 2011 Page: 8
15 p. : col. ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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wait on the table... I
thought they lived more
like man and wife and
that she had more
control over him than
I ever saw a lady have
over her husband or as
much so."
Hal Simon,
interpretive planner for
the THC's Historic Sites Division, notes that these types of
descriptions "paint a portrait of a very compelling individual."
With information like this becoming readily available
online, sites like Varner-Hogg, nearby THC property Levi
Jordan Plantation, and other heritage attractions representing
mid-1800s Texas are drawing visitors who express curiosity
about the lifeways of enslaved people. Simon adds that there
is also greater interest among African Americans, thanks to
improved access to information via online resources and
genealogical services.
"What's happening in contemporary society is that there
are now a couple of generations who haven't been raised
with the strongly defined color line that existed
somewhat easier to talk about difficult issues
that were too sensitive to discuss years ago."
Bryan McAuley, site manager at Levi
Jordan Plantation and San Felipe de Austin
state historic sites, agrees, adding that he's
witnessed a change in visitors' questions and
comments over the past several years.
"As the public evaluates issues, it's been
"'- --. a great opportunity to talk about the unique
stories of this site (Levi Jordan), especially
how racism affects a community," McAuley
says. "Visitors are transported to a different
time and have to put themselves in the
mindset of that perspective. Coming to
- terms with slavery is really difficult because
of its barbaric nature."
McAuley adds that from an interpretive
___.....___ perspective, one of his goals is to inspire
- - - .....- visitors and instill an interest to further
- --- --- - investigate historical elements of the
. . ., site or even reexamine their own
,s / .perspectives. As an example, he
cites a discussion with an AfricanClockwise from left: Varner-
Hogg's 1921 site foreman
building, known as Hal's House,
was used until 1968; the Levi
Jordan Plantation is undergoing
a major restoration project; a
Patton family gravestone on the
Varner-Hogg property.American
woman who
claimed she
wished the
Levi Jordan '__
plantation
been wiped 4 T
away-either
by neglect a
or a natural
disaster- since
it represented
a physical
reminder of
celebrating the
landowners
instead of the
people who
worked there.
"I reminded her that the house tells multiple stories,
especially the tremendous effort involved in its construction
that has allowed it to still stand," McAuley recalls. "What we
can do is share the stories and get out in the community to
tell others about what happened here so people have a better
understanding. It feels important to be a part of something
that makes people think beyond the surface and realize
how they can play a role in telling the story from a more
enlightened perspective."
Although Levi Jordan is in the throes of a major
restoration project-it's currently elevated above ground
while a new foundation is prepared-visitors are still
encouraged to come by on the first Saturday of each month
to engage staff members in discussion about the site's
development progress and the artifacts discovered during
recent archeological excavations.
www.thc.state.tx.us0
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Texas Historical Commission. The Medallion, Volume 49, Number 4, Fall 2011, periodical, Autumn 2011; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth253479/m1/8/: accessed April 30, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.