Preserving some history in the Fourth Ward
Yesterday's Chronicle carried an interesting story about an archaeologist's efforts to find and catalog historical artifacts on the future site of two HISD schools, in the Fourth Ward:
If he could do things the way he wanted, McGhee said, he would assemble a team — a couple of fellow archaeologists and about 20 graduate students — and they would spend the next 10 years excavating the area by hand.
But he knows that would take too much money and postpone for too long the new buildings for the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and Gregory Lincoln School.
So his realistic goal, he said, "is to try to get archaeology done in this area in a manner that is scientifically acceptable while keeping within the realistic funding constraints that HISD has imposed ... We will not only focus on burials, we will focus on artifacts. There will be interpretation and analysis."
[snip]
HISD cleared structures from the land two years ago despite a written notice from the THC [Texas Historical Commission] that many of the buildings appeared eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
The site, portions of which were seized using eminent domain laws, also may contain a Civil War-era cemetery.
It sounds like a very worthwhile effort, and it appears to be fast-tracked, so the school construction can get underway soon. But today's Chronicle has this letter to the editor:
Regarding the flap over the proposed location of Houston Independent School District's High School for the Performing and Visual Arts: Why would the possibility of an old graveyard on the site make a difference? It was of little concern to the builders and buyers of homes in the area. I personally believe the dead would not be pleased if their corporeal remains impeded the growth and education of children.
GLEN BROOKS
Houston
That seems unduly harsh. Of course the dead could not care less what happens, but society does care and benefits when the time is taken to preserve and study history. Studying the past, besides being very interesting, can teach us a lot about ourselves, our society, and even our future. And it appears that HISD and the Texas Historical Commission have reached a consensus on how to expedite this important work. We should support that.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 10/24/04 06:34 PM | Print |
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