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Preserving the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage

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A photo of the massive amount of archived material the FTA curates

The Archive is renowned for its pioneering efforts to rescue, preserve and showcase moving image media. It is dedicated to ensuring that film history is explored and enjoyed for generations to come.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation recently posted an article detailing the preservation efforts of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission.

It was L.A. Rebellion filmmaker Julie Dash’s film Daughters of the Dust (1991) that first introduced many Americans to the vibrant Gullah/Geechee culture, that of African Americans living in coastal and sea island areas of South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina and Florida. 

While Dash’s film called attention to a little-known culture at risk using film, the commission’s new preservation plan aims to increase “public recognition of the culture and history of the Gullah/Geechee” through “education, economic development and documentation/preservation.” This will include focusing on establishing heritage centers and implementing signage along the corridor to highlight historic sites and help brand the area. Together these efforts will work to ensure that a rich cultural tradition survives and that the contributions of a people are not forgotten. 

To read the full article, visit the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

For more information of the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commision, please visit their site