First and foremost this is a community led and supported project. Although we use the typical methods to identify rural dispersed communities – maps, census records, encyclopedia entries, etc., the project’s success is dependent upon community liaisons that introduce us into the community and serve as a central contact within the community for the project. The community liaisons are individuals with whom we have worked on previous projects, friends of friends, recommendations by colleagues, or simply the result of fortuitous meetings. Like many other public history projects, Voices from Small Places is a collaborative project that addresses the public’s needs (record their stories, research historic resources, digitize archival collections, etc.) while providing an opportunity to access primary sources, deepen our understanding of the rural community history, and examine the means by which communities retain their sense of place and identity although the physical and social landscapes have changed dramatically.
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Arcadia, Shelby County, TexasLocated in Shelby County in deep East Texas, Arcadia was once a thriving town serving the surrounding area. Founded in 1887, at its peak Arcadia had a population of approximately 400 and a diverse commercial district, including multiple business, mills, schools, and churches. (2014-2016)
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Murvaul Creek Communities, Rusk & Panola Counties, Texas
Located in southwestern/southern Panola County and southeastern/far-eastern Rusk County, the Murval Creek area was settled throughout the 1850s and 1860s. (2015-2017)
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In the Future....
We are looking for our future partner.
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