Participation Type
Experiential Presentation
Session Title
Saving our Heritage: Mapping the Future
Session Abstract or Summary
In this session we will present voices from Southeast Ohio and discuss our efforts to save its heritage while mapping our road to the future. As community activists and educators, we aim re-stitch to our seams by finding common ground and celebrating our shared origins and values. Each of the four presenters will address an issue that is of special significance to our region. We will first discuss past and current efforts to reclaim the lost heritage of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds microregion, including the unique racially integrated history of Rendville, a historically significant mining community that was the cradle of five important African American leaders. Through historic preservation efforts of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council and the Rendville Historic Preservation Society we seek to not only preserve our history but also develop a road map to our future through conservation efforts to save historically important structures, including a museum, making local presentations to raise awareness, organizing an Emancipation Day celebration, and organizing civic heritage tours. Next we will discuss how our region continues to face environmental challenges due to acid mine drainage as well as most recently fracking. Fracking and the disposal of its waste in injection wells, is a controversial environmental issue which provides multiple teaching opportunities. As we prepare the next generation for the future, we will discuss how K-12 teachers in our public schools and instructors in institutions of higher education address these challenges.
Presentation #1 Title
Saving the Little Cities
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
In the first presentation, John Winnenberg will present past and current efforts by Sunday Creek Associates to reclaim the lost heritage of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds microregion. Through historic preservation efforts in the Little Cities and annual community events Sunday Creek Associates, through its Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council, seeks to build community in the microregion and promote sustainable economic development through civic heritage tourism.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
John Winnenberg is a Lead Staff Associate with Sunday Creek Associates, a nonprofit organization located in Shawnee, Ohio, that seeks to build community in the Little Cities of Black Diamonds by organizing among others the Little Cities of the Forest, the Little Cities Archives, the Little Cities of Black Diamonds Day, the Appalachian Spring Festival, and The Winding Road: Ohio's Rising Appalachia history bus tours.
Presentation #2 Title
Saving Rendville
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
In the second presentation, Frans Doppen will highlight efforts by the Rendville Historic Preservation Society to rediscover and preserve the lost history of Rendville, a historically significant mining community that cradled five important African American leaders. The Society seeks to save historically important structures, including converting a former miner's house into a Little White House museum, making local presentations, organizing an annual Emancipation Day celebration, conducting historical research, creating publications, as well as partnering in civic heritage tours with Sunday Creek Associates.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Frans H. Doppen is a Professor of Social Studies Education and Chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Ohio University. He also serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Rendville Historic Preservation Society, a non-profit organization that seeks to preserve the unique racially integrated history of this former mining town.
Presentation #3 Title
Controversial Environmental Issues
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
in the third presentation, Matt Hollstein will discuss how hydraulic fracturing (fracking) is a controversial environmental issue, notably in Southeast Ohio, which provides multiple teaching opportunities at both the K-12 and university level and assumes that teachers and students believe fracking to be a controversial environmental issue that is worthy of academic exploration in the social studies. His teaching, research, and work with preservice and classroom teachers indicates that a misconception exists surrounding what does and does not constitute a controversial environmental issue and whether or not it has a place in the classroom. He will argue that controversial environmental issues are useful and belong at every level of social studies education.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Matt Hollstein is an Assistant Professor of Social Studies Education in the Department of Teaching, Learning, and Curriculum Studies at the Stark Campus of Kent State University in North Canton, Ohio. His teaching and research focuses on controversial environmental issues, including fracking in Appalachian Ohio, in K-12 and college settings.
Presentation #4 Title
Mapping the Future
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
In the fourth presentation, Loraine McCosker will discuss how her seminar seeks increase the environmental literacy of her graduate students as they examine environmental history, policy, and innovation to expand environmental literacy and understanding through an Appalachian Ohio lens.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Loraine McCosker is an Instructor of Environmental Studies in the Voinovich School at Ohio University. She hold a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies and serves as an Outreach Coordinator and organizes the Sustainability Film Series at the university. She is also an advocate of sustainable economic development and a community activist focused on protecting the environment.
Conference Subthemes
Diversity and Inclusion, Economic Development, Education, Environmental Sustainability
Saving the Little Cities
In the first presentation, John Winnenberg will present past and current efforts by Sunday Creek Associates to reclaim the lost heritage of the Little Cities of Black Diamonds microregion. Through historic preservation efforts in the Little Cities and annual community events Sunday Creek Associates, through its Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council, seeks to build community in the microregion and promote sustainable economic development through civic heritage tourism.
