This project was conducted as part of the CIS 650 (Applying Diversity Leadership Theories and Praxis) class during summer 2023 that involved assessing the web information (and more) provided by the Kingsley Plantation property of the Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve located in Jacksonville, Florida with a focus on African American populations. On this page, I analyze a similar park to see how they cater to African American youths. For my case study I will be examining Cane River Creole National Historical Park that tackles the subject of slavery at a former plantation site. I will be examining the programs, events, and educational materials that are provided at this site. The analysis is geared towards finding which of their resources is considering African American youth who visit the park.
1. Collections:
Cane River Creole National Historical Park offers finding aids related to Magnolia Plantation records and Oakland Plantation records. These finding aids list all of their archival materials related to specific sites within the National Park. Archival materials include letters, personal papers, and newspaper clippings. Although there are extensive materials, there is little material about the lives of enslaved peoples.
2. Resources:
Cane River provides a multitude of resources. They provide educational, historical/cultural, and youth resources geared towards African American history. Under their historical/cultural resource page, the website provides Creole history/culture, enslaved people of Oakland, and enslaved people of Magnolia Plantation. One of the best resources provided for youth is their junior ranger booklet. The booklet includes a timeline activity, a Venn diagram to place activities into the past, present, or past & present and a page describing Creole culture
3. Assigned Role related to diverse population:
The Black youth that visits the park are descendants of enslaved people, possibly of Creole descent, or researchers. The youth that visits parks are the future of what parks are protected and which get left behind in history.
4. Strategic Representation:
Cane River Creole National Historical Park. states their purpose within their foundational document: "Cane River Creole National Historical Park preserves and protect Oakland and Magnolia Plantations and in partnership with Cane River National Heritage Area and its living communities, preserves the resources of the Cane River region and enhances the understanding of it's peoples and traditions through research, interpretation, education, and technical assistance." . Educating the youth on their own or other cultures can teach empathy and understanding themselves better.
5. Internal Department/Unit:
Cane River Creole National Historical Park's foundational documents, cultural landscape inventories, historic structure reports, and oral history interviews can all be found on the NPS library website. Researchers are able to view the course of actions taken by Cane River to promote the diverse stories that make up their park.
6. News and Events (Internal):
Media releases provided by Cane River Creole National Historical Park includes articles on youth outreach, illuminated memorial services, and updates on historic buildings. One article that demonstrates their youth outreach efforts announced the winner of the "Name Depot Street" student essay contest.
7. News and Events (External):
KTBS 3 News Station released an announcement on an event hosted by Cane River Creole National Historical Park. The event is an opportunity for parents to get their kids outdoors and participate in nature activities. This allows the youth to do arts and crafts related to the outdoors. The National Park also hosts a Kids Craft Day event.