Reflecting on the Past
Of your place
“The past is at its best when it takes us to places that counsel and instruct, that show us who we are by showing us where we have been, that remind us of our connections to what happened here.” ~ William R. Chapman, Preservation Architect, quoted in the book Wisdom Sits in Places
I can hardly believe that we are entering the final month of Seeing your Place 2022. No matter how engaged you were, I think that simply reading the emails might affect how you engage with your place. For this month, let’s take the time to reflect on how our relationship with our place has shifted and hopefully deepened, and how we want to engage moving forward.
The key to knowing yourself and living wisely comes from a deep understanding of the land where you live and how you’re connected to it, especially through its history. This week, let’s look at what you learned about the past in your place, whether that be from the land itself, the stories of previous inhabitants, or your own stories and encounters of place.
The Past is Present
During the first month of this project, we focused on the past - the people, the climate, and the landforms that shaped our place to make it the way it is now.
In one of the earliest emails, I wrote “Part of this year’s project is realizing that we humans are not the only participants in the drama unfolding around us.” The culture of a place is unique, shaped by the people, the landforms and climate, and by what happens there. We expanded our ideas about the inhabitants of a place, to include not just humans but other species, flora and fauna, and even the water and trees and rocks that form the foundation of our place. Many of these inhabitants were there long before us and will be there long after.
We also recognized our human ancestors, the people who came before us and shaped the culture of our place, beginning with Indigenous peoples, and followed by other settlers and immigrants. It’s important to remember and honor those who came before, through storytelling, memorials, rituals and festivals.
Reflect
Consider the following questions and please share any insights in the comment section.
What did you learn about the history of your place that you didn’t know before? What strikes you most about your place’s history?
For me, the unique geology of my place, and how melting glaciers created the Great Lakes and exceptional agricultural soils, is its most important attribute, and what most needs to be valued and protected.
How do you remember and celebrate the past? Who or what has been forgotten or whose stories need to be told?
I realized that the stories of European settlers dominate the historical conversation, even through the names of the streets I walk every day. The stories of the original Indigenous peoples, the Black immigrants escaping slavery, and those who came to build the canals and railroads, also need to be told.
How do you learn from the land and its stories? What more do you need to learn?
I need to continue to develop an intimate relationship with and knowledge of the more than human inhabitants of my place - the rocks, water, and flora and fauna, as they are constantly changing. I do that by walking and listening, paying attention, and learning about the geological and cultural history.
Please share your thoughts or answers to the questions in the comments. I’ve paused billing for this project and everyone can participate.
Resources
Post: Wisdom Sits in Places, about the book by Keith Basso