Oakwood symposium addresses discovery, remembrance

A free public symposium on the archaeological findings at Oakwood Cemetery Chapel will feature nationally renowned anthropologist Dr. Michael Blakey among other speakers. All Together Here: A Community Symposium for Discovery and Remembrance will be broadcast online and through live social media channels. The event is divided into two themes: Day 1 sessions, on Friday, Oct. 9, will address the archaeologist’s report and what it means; while Day 2, Saturday, Oct. 10, covers “the historical context of the people who were found and how the context expands our understanding of 19th-century Austin, cemetery history, and cultural expressions of grief and reverence of ancestors.” Dr. Maria Franklin, an associate professor in UT’s Department of Anthropology, said, “This is an innovative symposium that bridges research, community engagement, and a collective conversation on how to best honor the men, women, and children who were recently discovered at Oakwood.” Register on Eventbrite. Afterward, the recorded sessions will be posted on the parks department’s YouTube channel.