On Wednesday, February 6, The Heritage Society presents a lecture on African Roots in American Soil: Archaeology of African American Culture The lecture begins at 6:30 p.m. in The Heritage Society museum gallery, located at 1100 Bagby Street in downtown Houston. A 6:00 p.m. reception precedes the lecture. The cost is $10 for non-members, $5 for Heritage Society members.
Kenneth Brown, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Houston, will speak about his research at the Levi Jordan Plantation in Brazona County.
In 1850, Levi Jordan came to Texas with his family and 95 slaves. His plantation became one of the largest sugar and cotton plantations in the state.
Today, as a result of the archaeological work done by Kenneth Brown, this plantations story tells us about the lives of those who helped build the American South. Despite living in extremely oppressive conditions, the Africans and African Americans who lived on this plantation maintained and continued to develop a rich and vibrant culture, Dr. Brown said. These people used the knowledge and beliefs brought with them from Africa in order to survive and flourish in Texas.
The excavation of the Levi Jordan Plantation has revealed such things as an African style healers kit, cooking utensils and other personal items. In addition, the site has provided archaeological evidence of the beginnings of the African-American Christian church in South Texas. Celebrate Black History Month with this insightful lecture by Dr. Kenneth Brown. For more information or to make a reservation for this lecture, please cell The Heritage Society at 713-655-1912.
