Subj: [E-TX-R] Volunteers Preserve Local History Date: 4/13/02 10:16:30 AM Central Daylight Time From: <A HREF="mailto:schs@panola.cc.tx.us">schs@panola.cc.tx.us</A> To: <A HREF="mailto:EAST-TEXAS-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com">EAST-TEXAS-ROOTS-L@rootsweb.com</A> Sent from the Internet (Details) VOLUNTEERS PRESERVE LOCAL HISTORY What is PIT? Passport in Time, also known as “PIT”, is a volunteer program, inviting the public to share in the thrill of discovery through archaeological and historic research. Forest Service Archaeologists and Historians guide volunteers in activities ranging from building restoration to rock art recording to archaeological site excavation. PIT is a national program comprised of over 40 “excavation oriented” projects from Alaska to Florida per year. One project was located in Shelby County on a recently discovered "lost" cemetery found on US Forest Service land just off FS 147 near Toledo Bend Reservior. Some 60 people from all over the United States spent the last week and a half clearing brush, taking measurements, photographing, recording field notes, using ground penetrating radar (GPR) and researching courthouse records on this lost cemetery now known as the Eddins Cemetery. Last Tuesday evening, the group enjoyed a BBQ chicken dinner with all the trimmings hosted by the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. Martha Rushing, Tourism Committee chair, cordinated the arrangements along with John Warner for an enjoyable supper and evening in historic downtown Center. PIT volunteers were also treated to gift bags and free movie passes to the RIO Theater donated by the Shelby County Historical Society and Texas Forest Service. For further information on this project or the PIT program visit the Shelby County Historical Society's web site at www.panola.cc.tx.us/~schs.