Next steps at Beulah

Internship Week 6

Currently we are all done with recording data at Beulah! The next steps for the project is to input the data into an excel spreadsheet. We also have gps tracking and pictures left to do. As of today, my internship will be officially over! This is a very bitter sweet moment for me. I had a wonderful time working as FPAN's summer intern. I was able to learned extremely valuable skills in such a short period of time. Although the graded portion of my internship has come to an end, I plan on continuing my work until Beulah is completed. My ultimate goal with this project is presenting my findings. There will be a conference early next year and I plan on submitting our work to it. 

Once again, I would like to thank all the volunteers that have come out and helped us during the recording process. The weather has been an obstacle this summer but we have been able to overcome it for the most part. I would also like to thank Kevin Gidusko for giving me this wonderful opportunity.

If anyone is interested in helping with input data into an excel sheet and scanning marker forms please contact me through the project's Facebook page. There you will also find the next days we will be out at the cemetery.

Continue reading →

Recording Progress

Internship Week 5

Recording Day # 1

Monday June 29th was our first date recording with the volunteers. Sadly, we had to finish early due to thunderstorms in the area but we were able to record quite a few markers. 

          

Photos by: Kevin Gidusko
Collage by: Glenda Vaillant

When we record we play close attention the inscription on the marker, the marker material, and any grave goods around the marker. The inscriptions on the marker give clues to the characteristic of the deceased, such as age at death and religious affiliation.

We have becoming out every Monday in the month of July. We had lots of volunteers help out with this project. Thanks to them we have been able to make lots of progress. We are almost done recording!

Photo by: Kevin Gidusko

This particular gravestone caught our eye when recording on Monday. With a little research I was able to find that Mrs. America Keen had other family members at Beulah. He father Andrew Jackson Dunaway was a Confederate soldier and the first person to be buried in Beulah. The Civil War has left a mark in Florida's history, with a large population migrating to Florida after the war. 

Photos by: Kevin Gidusko
 Collage by: Glenda Vaillant

On our second day of recording a reporter from the West Orange Times came out and interviewed the volunteers.

Photos by: Glenda Vaillant Cruz
Collage by: Glenda Vaillant Cruz

On our the third and latest recording date we got a lot of help from our wonderful volunteers! We were able to record more than half of Beulah! While recording we came across a marker with several different types of grave goods. When we find marker like this we are reminded of why the preservation of historic cemeteries is so important. Historic cemeteries serve as a remembrance of those who are no longer with us, but they also remind us of our beginnings. There is so much to be learned from what others have left. Moving forward with this internship I examine what can be learned from Beulah. 

If you are interested in volunteering at Beulah please check out the Orange County Historic Cemetery Recording Project Facebook page. We will post the upcoming recording dates, as well as more information about this project.

Continue reading →

Cemetery Recording Safety Preacuations

Internship Week 4 

When recording cemetery data there are several safety precautions that are necessary take in order for the successful completion of a project. It is important that surveyors protect themselves from the elements.

Being exposed to excess amount of heat can cause extremely harmful health issues. When recording during summer months it is important that everyone takes the heat in consideration. Simple safety measures such as wearing sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats can make a huge difference.

According to OSHA, or the Occupational Safety & Health Administration, wearing tightly woven clothes can help block harmful UV rays that lead to skin cancer. Sunscreen should be of at least SPF 15 as it helps block more than 90 percent of UV rays. UV absorbent sunglasses provide the best protection from the sun's rays. Surveyors must take extra precaution between the time of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as this is when the rays are at it's strongest. Drinking plenty of water, taking breaks, and resting in the shade help reduce the possibility of heat related injuries from accuring. As the temperature increases, so does the risk of heat injury. If there is a steep raise in temperature increase safety measures.

It is vital that all surveyors understand heat related injuries and their signs.

Heat Rash

• Red "rash" appears throughout body most commonly neck and chest.
• Area of skin affected must be kept dry.
• Move into a shaded, cooler area if possible.

Heat Cramps

• Pain and muscle spasms in legs, arms, and abdomen.
• Rest in shade.
• Drink plenty of water.
• If symptoms last, seek medical attention.

Heat Exhaustion

• Excessive sweating.
• Headache.
• Nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and lightheadedness.
• Weakness, thirst, and irritability.
• Heart beating uncontrollably fast.
• Move to a cool, shaded area immediately.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Seek medical attention if symptoms do not improve.
• Do not continue to work for the rest of the day.

Heart Stroke

• Seizures, fainting, and confusion,
• Excessive sweating.
• Abnormally high body temperature.
• Call 911 immediately.

It is important that surveyors understand the predicted weather patterns of the work day. Before commencing work check local weather listings. In the occasion of possible rain storms, check weather patterns throughout the work day. All work must come to an end if lightning is spotted. Surveyors should seek shelter indoors in the occasion of thunderstorms. The safety of surveyors is extremely important and should be handled with care.

Sources

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/heat_illnesses.html

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/heat_index/heat_emergencies.html

Continue reading →

Beulah Cemetery

Internship Week 3

I will be collecting cemetery data at the Beulah Cemetery, a historical cemetery located in Winter Garden, FL. The cemetery is currently being maintained by the Beulah Baptist Church. The term Beulah is the Hebrew word for married. The term is occasionally used to reference Jerusalem in biblical text. The area of Beulah within Winter Garden was once home to the Reaves family's settlement. Although, the area was originally settled by the Reams family in 1860.

Family Portrait of the Reaves Family. Taken by an unknown photographer at an unknown date.

The small community of Beulah was originally referred to as the Reaves Family Settlement. The family settled into this area of Winter Garden after the Civil War. Three generations of the Reaves family now rest in the Beulah Cemetery. The area was renamed Beulah after the small Beulah Baptist Church which opened in 1946. Descendants of family continue to live in West Orange County till this day.

Beulah Baptist Church Photo by: Jim Crescitelli

The Beulah Cemetery has a very unique and rich history. The history of the small surrounding community of Beulah lies in the cemetery, with many of its founding residents resting within its grounds. Several of those resting within the cemetery are veterans of the Civil War. The War left devastation throughout the country after it's conclusion. Historic cemeteries give a glimpse of the impact of the war. When I begin conducting my data collection I want to pay close attention to the grave sites of Civil War veterans. I want to then use my data to infer how the War affected the area of West Orange County. I would also like to focus on the founders of Beulah whose graves lay within the cemetery, since they've left a big influence in the community of Beulah.

Beulah Cemetery Photo by: Mary Pitman

Crescitelli, J. (2013). Inside... a Visit to Some Small West Orange Communities. Retrieved June 9, 2015.  

Continue reading →

Internship Week 2: Research

Internship Week 2

For the research period of my internship I was assigned two readings about historic cemeteries. The first reading was an excerpt from American Antiquity by Edwin Dethlefsen and James Deetz, titled "Death's Heads, Cherubs, and Willow Trees: Experimental Archaeology in Colonial Cemeteries". The journal illustrates the use of symbolism and common motifs in the colonial cemeteries in the New England. The three main motifs that were discussed in this journal were Death's Heads, Cherubs, and Willow Trees. These three symbols were commonly placed on gravestones during the colonial period. They are referred to as the universal motifs and they give insight into the culture of New England during the colonial period.

"Universal Motifs" from American Antiquity

The first image showcases the Death's Head motif. This is the oldest symbol to be found on New England gravestones. Cherubs begin to appear on headstones around the middle of the 18th Century. Both the Death's Head and Cherubs become more simplified over the years. It can be inferred that societal changes caused the simplification of the folk art. Lastly, the Willow Tree motif were used in the end of the 18th century. It was the last of the three styles to be used. 

"Cherubs Designs" by Lamson Family of Charlesdown, Massachusetts seen in American Antiquity

The journal also goes into detail on how cultural changes affected the art featured on the gravestones. Originally, the afterlife and resurrection were not themes presented on the colonial gravestones. However, during a period of cultural change, beliefs of resurrection became popular and began showing on folk art. The image above clearly shows the change in art styles through the 18th century. The first gravestone, labeled A, shows an elaborate design with many features. While gravestones B and C become less decorative. Ultimately, the gravestones lose most of the features shown in the first gravestone and become extremely simplistic. The ways name were written on the stone exhibit the culture's gender roles and bias. At times the way names were written showed a fraternal bias, while other times a maternal bias, and occasionally it showed neutrality. 

When I am conducting my personal research of historic cemeteries I have to keep in mind that culture affects folk art. As a society's ideas change, so does what they present on their gravestones. There is always a correlation between society and art. A lot can be learned about a society by dissecting the themes they utilize on their gravestones. I must look for common themes and do research to see their societal meaning. I have to look at all aspect of the gravestones so I can fully understand the stories of those resting in the cemetery.  

Works Cited

Dethlefsen, Edwin. and Deetz, James. (1996)  Death's Heads, Cherubs, and Willow        
         Trees. American Antiquity, Vol. 31, No. 4, pp. 502-510

Continue reading →

About My Internship

Internship Week 1

My name is Glenda Vaillant Cruz and I am currently at Valencia College. As of I am now done with my first year of college and I am set to graduate next May. I am planning to transfer to the University of Central Florida to finish up my undergraduate studies. My academic goal is to obtain my PhD. After I receive my bachelor degree I would love to travel and teach English through various parts of the world.

I am interested in teaching anthropology at a college level. Through my internship, I would like to learn about different fields that anthropologist work in. I became interested in anthropology during middle school when I began researching prospective career paths. I have always been fascinated with history, world cultures, and biology. As I discovered the issues going on in North Korea, I began to want to want to create social awareness and change in this area of the world. My desire to create social impact brought me closer to anthropology. Anthropologists have the power to decipher the world in a way that brings the human race closer together. Through their research they are able to bring upon positive social improvement on both a local and global scale.

For my internship, I will be learning about how research archaeology is able to bring social awareness within a community. Throughout this internship, I will be expected to perform tasks related to the recording of historic cemetery data. I will be keeping track of data for one historic cemetery in the Orange County area. I will be using individual marker forms to keep detailed accounts and descriptions of each grave within the cemetery. With these marker forms I will be doing  data analysis. I will be using the data collected to bring insight into Florida's past. I will document what I have learned through this blog directed towards the public. Lastly, I will be presenting the knowledge I have gained through the internship to members of the academic community. I will be working on this project for a period of approximately three months. The beginning period of the project I will spend conducting research about historic cemeteries through examining published works. Then, I will begin to apply what I have learned through the data collection and analysis of the cemetery. Finally, I will be showcasing my personal research.  

There are several reasons why historic cemeteries must be recorded. Foremost, a lot of historic cemeteries are being surrounded by new buildings and developments. If they are not documented new structures could be built on top of the resting grounds of many individuals. Secondly, historic cemeteries shed light into the lives of individuals living in Florida throughout various points in the state's history. Through the study of historic cemeteries a plethora of information can be inferred about the culture of people in Florida within a particular time period. Social issues also can be addressed through this research. For example, comparisons can be made between predominantly black, and predominantly white cemeteries that allows us to better understand the relations between these two ethnic groups in the past. Understanding their relations in the past can create better relations between them in the present. Ultimately, the understanding of historical cemeteries in Florida provides many useful knowledge that can be applied to provide outreach within communities in the state. 

Continue reading →