(Sept. 7, 2017) Retired professor Dr. Clara Small is continuing research for a volume examining the history and cultural dynamics that have shaped Snow Hill.
In the pursuit of some clarity regarding the birthplace of a local baseball legend, the town contacted Small, two years ago, to write a research book that incorporated and preserved memories from community elders.
Prior to retiring in 2013, Small spent four decades teaching African-American history at Salisbury University, as well as authoring several books delving into the history of ethnic groups on the Eastern Shore.
Trish Goodsell, assistant town manager, anticipates Small’s current book project will unearth historical context unfamiliar to many readers.
“From back to the time of the Underground Railroad … [there is] lots of history that is going back all the way to the Colonial period to present day,” she said.
Small said her intent was to explore the tri-cultural relations between African-Americans, indigenous peoples, and European settlers in Snow Hill.
“It takes time to get this together [and] try to put into perspective how groups worked together, but also had conflicts,” she said. “Some were oppressed, some were dominant and, at the same time, some basically were assimilated into society – whereas some others were not.”
To this point, Small has been consumed with researching state, local and university archives that include “Everything that has ever been written about the settlers, the Native Americans and African-Americans,” she said. “I can’t give any definitive answers until I can say I turned over every leaf and every rock.”
What Small finds fascinating about history is the importance of appreciating the oppressive, yet interdependent, relationships between ethnic groups.
“If you understand the dynamics of history and the dynamics of cultural groups coming together, you understand how they’re different, but sometimes they need to depend upon each other for survival.”
Small said the next phase of research would involve interviewing residents of Snow Hill.
“I’m trying to feel the pulse of the community,” she said. “Some of their memories and what they remember from their parents, grandparents and great grandparents.”
Despite her enthusiasm to engage directly, Small said preparation was key to elicit vital information and memories.
“In order to do that I’ve got to have all my background stuff ready and that way I can ask pointed questions,” she said.
To get an unfiltered historical viewpoint, Small said it’s vital to understand how events personally impacted people of that era.
“That’s when you really get to understand the dynamics of the town [and] the dynamics of what was going on the country as well,” she said. “Sometimes what was happening on the local level may have been different than the impression people had on the national level.”
Goodsell said while the completed book would bring value to Snow Hill, and open many younger eyes to local history, it would also preserve memories that might otherwise be lost.
“I don’t think there’s really going to be anything that can compare to the stories she’s going to be able to get from the people who lived it,” she said. “If you don’t document it now there’s a strong chance that you would never have the chance to.”
Although just beginning her public outreach, Small encourages anyone willing to share Snow Hill memories to email clsmall@salisbury.edu or call 410-430-7135.
“That makes a difference in today [and] it would be good to hear their comments,” she said. “When they pass on, that’s an encyclopedia that’s gone. That’s information that’s lost and you can’t get it back.”
In the pursuit of some clarity regarding the birthplace of a local baseball legend, the town contacted Small, two years ago, to write a research book that incorporated and preserved memories from community elders.
Prior to retiring in 2013, Small spent four decades teaching African-American history at Salisbury University, as well as authoring several books delving into the history of ethnic groups on the Eastern Shore.
Trish Goodsell, assistant town manager, anticipates Small’s current book project will unearth historical context unfamiliar to many readers.
“From back to the time of the Underground Railroad … [there is] lots of history that is going back all the way to the Colonial period to present day,” she said.
Small said her intent was to explore the tri-cultural relations between African-Americans, indigenous peoples, and European settlers in Snow Hill.
“It takes time to get this together [and] try to put into perspective how groups worked together, but also had conflicts,” she said. “Some were oppressed, some were dominant and, at the same time, some basically were assimilated into society – whereas some others were not.”
To this point, Small has been consumed with researching state, local and university archives that include “Everything that has ever been written about the settlers, the Native Americans and African-Americans,” she said. “I can’t give any definitive answers until I can say I turned over every leaf and every rock.”
What Small finds fascinating about history is the importance of appreciating the oppressive, yet interdependent, relationships between ethnic groups.
“If you understand the dynamics of history and the dynamics of cultural groups coming together, you understand how they’re different, but sometimes they need to depend upon each other for survival.”
Small said the next phase of research would involve interviewing residents of Snow Hill.
“I’m trying to feel the pulse of the community,” she said. “Some of their memories and what they remember from their parents, grandparents and great grandparents.”
Despite her enthusiasm to engage directly, Small said preparation was key to elicit vital information and memories.
“In order to do that I’ve got to have all my background stuff ready and that way I can ask pointed questions,” she said.
To get an unfiltered historical viewpoint, Small said it’s vital to understand how events personally impacted people of that era.
“That’s when you really get to understand the dynamics of the town [and] the dynamics of what was going on the country as well,” she said. “Sometimes what was happening on the local level may have been different than the impression people had on the national level.”
Goodsell said while the completed book would bring value to Snow Hill, and open many younger eyes to local history, it would also preserve memories that might otherwise be lost.
“I don’t think there’s really going to be anything that can compare to the stories she’s going to be able to get from the people who lived it,” she said. “If you don’t document it now there’s a strong chance that you would never have the chance to.”
Although just beginning her public outreach, Small encourages anyone willing to share Snow Hill memories to email clsmall@salisbury.edu or call 410-430-7135.
“That makes a difference in today [and] it would be good to hear their comments,” she said. “When they pass on, that’s an encyclopedia that’s gone. That’s information that’s lost and you can’t get it back.”