Artifacts are objects made by man and can act as representatives from eras long since gone. An artifact can be found anywhere, not just on shelves in a museum or in an archaeologist’s lab. They can even be found in cemeteries in the form of grave markers that commemorate the life of someone who passed on before us.
Occasionally, here at the Greene County Historical Society, we get to do some very cool things to help preserve artifacts and give these representatives of the past a new, and in this case, much younger voice.
Recently, Zack Patton, a history teacher from West Greene School District, and an active local historian submitted a classroom scholarship application for the Dr. Nancy I. Davis Memorial Scholarship for Educational Support through the Greene County Chamber of Commerce. The scholarship provides funding by the Greene County Historical Society in support of a historical learning experience within the county schools.
The scholarship was established in memory of Nancy Davis, a driven and hard-working person who, after having raised a family, decided to go to college and further her learning. It was her desire for EVERYONE to have the opportunity for an education, and this scholarship fund was specifically designed to help schools with tools, programs, and educational experiences that may not otherwise be covered in their operating budget.
Patton’s application was unanimously approved, and with the funding he hopes to engage students from the West Greene School District through the newly established History Club to help care for and repair several cemeteries throughout western Greene County. Patton’s enthusiasm for this project and history in general, cannot be understated and it is his strong hope that in teaching and working with these students to care for and maintain long forgotten cemeteries he may be able to provide them with a “rooted” sense to the county they call home.
Melody Longstreth of the Chamber of Commerce, and Matthew Cumberledge from the Historical Society both agree with Patton that the hands-on aspect of this project is something admirable, and something that will engage these young minds and build within them a sense of heritage and respect for those who have come before us.
Zack Patton already has a great deal of hands-on experience taking care of decaying graveyards in his free time and is hopeful that working with the students of West Greene might create a new wave of interest and enthusiasm in selfless, and community-based projects, especially those with an aspect of historical preservation.
As for us at the historical society, it was an absolute honor to be a part of this process, and a pure joy to see the love of history and the hands-on experience of caring for cemeteries and the gravestones within them be instilled in a younger generation.
In the future, please keep an eye out on our Facebook page, and the Greene County Chamber of Commerce’s social media for updates on this project, as no doubt we will all be excited to share as things progress, and, as always, it is a wonderful thing to see younger people have an opportunity to get hands on experience with history!