S.C. Archives and History Foundation holds workshop for church historians
By Rachel Haynie

A diverse group of Church historians will gather Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007, at the S.C. History Center, 8301 Parklane Road for the third time.

Following registration and networking between 10 and 10:30 am, the group will gather in the auditorium from 10:30- 11:45 am for a general session on the importance of collecting oral history, how to use and preserve it, and how to present and make it accessible.

According to steering committee member Karen Kuehner, church historian at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, Ridgeway, the morning's agenda will be a presentation led by Dr. Kent Germany, assistant professor of history and African American studies at USC.

Germany will provide an overview about the dynamics of oral history, then will answer specific questions from the floor. This is Germany's first teaching year at USC after relocating to South Carolina from New Orleans. Germany studied at Louisiana Tech and earned his Ph.D. from Tulane University.

Next, Josh Mabe, an archives and records management/electronic records staff member at the S.C. Department of Archives & History, will speak briefly about using technology in collecting oral history and presentations.

After lunch, from 12:25 to 1:25 pm Sarah Clarkson will speak about church silver and from 1:30 to 2 pm, Maree Dowdey will speak about church textiles.

Church historians participating are invited to bring materials representing anniversaries, events, or other efforts in which their churches have been involved.

Steering Committee member Beryl Bledsoe will provide resources about oral history- taking that has been developed by the Baptist Convention. Copies will be available to participants. There will also be resource materials furnished by oral historian Nick Meriweather, director of the South Caroliniana Library.

Survey answers will guide the steering committee to choose appropriate programming topics for future meetings.

The meeting, hosted by the S.C. Archives & History Foundation, will adjourn shortly after 2 pm. For registration information contact Amy Kinard at 803-896-5729.