|
Columbia Archives sponsors special programs periodically to showcase various aspects of Columbia history. All events are free. Reservations are encouraged to assist us with planning. Contact Columbia Archives at columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.com or 410-715-3103 for more information.
Sun, Oct. 3, 2010
1-4pm
Woodlawn Slave Quarters, 9258 Bendix Rd., Columbia, MD
Explore African American life on the farm in Howard County in the years preceding the Civil War.
Columbia Association restored the crumbling building in 2008. Now, for the first time, visitors will be able to see it as it might have been in the years preceding the Civil War (1850-1860). Artifacts on loan from the Howard County Center of African American Culture and the Howard County Living Farm Heritage Museum will bring history alive. There will be a libation ceremony, tours of the slave quarters, hands on activities and music.
This program is presented in cooperation with the Howard County Center for African American Culture.
with a Free Mini Course on Columbia
Session 1
Mon, Oct. 4, 2010 - 7pm
James Rouse - A Master of Words
Examination of Rouse speeches and his power to inspire.
Session 2
Mon, Oct. 11, 2010 - 7pm
Freedom of Speech
Columbia's response to the visit of George Wallace in 1968.
Session 3
Mon, Oct. 18, 2010 - 7pm
Putting Columbia Together
Little known stories of the land acquisition culled from the oral history collection.
Session 4
Mon, Oct. 25, 2010 - 7pm
Art in the Community
A history of commitment and individual passion.
Check back later for more details.
Tues, Nov. 30, 2010 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Come view the Columbia Celebrates Winter exhibit featuring photograph from the collection and the community. Books about Columbia will be available for sale. Check back later for more details.
Understanding history helps to shape the future. Columbia Archives celebrated American Archives Month in October 2009 with a mini-course on Columbia. In 1966 James Rouse, founder of Columbia, said “Here we are the most advanced society in the history of the world, with all of the knowledge that exists among doctors, teachers, ministers, psychologists, and psychiatrists about what works well and what works badly with man living with man, and none of this knowledge goes to work in the planning of a city. Well, we determined to put it to work and we did. . .” The recent mini-course explored how Columbia used that knowledge, built on it and continues to build on it by discussing the four goals of Columbia. “Going Green” presented a historical look at Columbia’s environmentally conscious planning. “A Place for People to Grow” showcased a panel of people who grew up in Columbia during the 1970s when Columbia itself was growing up. “A Complete City” looked back at the plan to provide all the essential elements of a city and then looked toward the future with ideas for development in the Town Center. “How Do We Measure Success” explored Quality of Life indicators and how Columbia measures up.
Prior to each session participants were invited to look through a variety of archival materials from the collection that related to the topic.
Videotapes of the “A Place for People,” “A Complete City” and “How Do We Measure Success,” as well a videotaped interview with Chick Rhodehamel, CA Vice President of Open Space, are available for viewing at Columbia Archives. Other materials such as the original presentation to Howard County officials, photographs of the 1964 model of Town Center, sketches, proposals and other documents related to the development of Town Center are always available for research. The staff is happy to help researchers understand the history of Columbia.
 |
| Evelyn Chisolm, the first person to pluck the poetic phrases for possible street names, recently helped the authors of “Oh, you must live in Columbia” tell the story of how Columbia’s streets were named. It was more than 40 years ago when Chisolm worked for The Rouse Company and was given the unusual task. At a talk in November, Chisolm recalled how much fun it was to be able to read through some of her favorite authors’ works and be part of the exciting process. |
|
 |
|
| Missy Burke, Robin Emrich and Barbara Kellner continue to promote the book through speaking engagements. The trio enjoys talking about the book, and they also are interested in hearing from people who have stories to share. At a recent event, they heard one resident’s saga of searching for the source of his street name and where it led him. Dick Bush, who lives on Treefrog, doggedly tracked down the source years before “Oh, you must live in Columbia” was published. He also grew quite fond of frogs, apparently, as he and his wife began acquiring frog artifacts, such as garden statuary, jewelry, T-shirts, pictures suitable for framing and a clock that signals the hour with authentic frog calls. |
|
|
If you have a story about your street to share please contact the Archives at columbia.archives@columbiaassociation.com. |
