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Durham Graveyard Study

In this study, you will learn about the history of Durham, specifically Durhams
racial history, through examining artifacts at two Durham cemeteries.
Together you and your partner will complete the following:
1) Two eulogies, of one important historical figure from Maplewood Cemetery, and
another historical figure from Beechwood Cemetery
2) A one-page response to the following question: What did you learn about the

history of racial relations, including racial inequalities, in Durham?

Assignment #1: Eulogies


A eulogy is a speech given for someone at his or her funeral. While visiting Maplewood and
Beechwood, choose one important historical figure at EACH cemetery and write a one-page eulogy for
each person. You will perform your eulogy to the class as if you were speaking at their funeral.
Your eulogy should include:
date and location of birth, cause and date of death
relevant childhood or teenage experiences
educational experiences
important accomplishments that changed the city of Durham (economic, political, or
social)
character traits the person should be remembered for
Please pick one of the following historical figures whose graves we will visit during our study:
Maplewood Cemetery
Beechwood Cemetery
William T. Blackwell
John Merrick
Julian Carr
William G. Pearson
James Buchanan Duke
James E. Shepard
Washington Duke
Charles Clinton (C.C.) Spaulding
Bartlett S. Durham
James Whitted
Assignment #2: Racial Relations Paper
With your partner, write a one-page response to this question: What did you learn about the
history of racial relations, including racial inequalities, in Durham?
You should use your observations at the cemeteries as well as the research conducted on your
historical figures to answer this prompt. Questions to consider:
What do you notice about the quality of graves at Maplewood versus Beechwood?
What does this say about who had power and money during the times the people were
buried?
What do you notice about the locations and/or neighborhoods surrounding each
cemetery?
Conduct some research about modern-day burials at both cemeteries. What does your
research say about modern race relations in Durham?

Grading Rubric
Unacceptable
(D/F)
(0-20 points)
Eulogies are
incomplete,
inaccurate, or
missing important
information.

Acceptable
(C)
(20-25 points)
Eulogies provide
important
information but may
miss key details.

Target
(B or A)
(25-33 points)
Eulogies are
accurate, complete,
detailed, and give an
excellent picture of
the peoples lives.

Racial Relations
Paper

Paper is incomplete
or inaccurate,
and/or shows little
to no thought or
analysis.

Paper is complete
and thoughtful,
though could
provide more
insights and detail.

Paper is complete,
thoughtful,
analytical, detailed,
and uses strong
evidence.

Presentation

Papers have
numerous
grammatical
mistakes making it
difficult to read;
eulogy speech lacked
professionalism.

Papers have a few


grammatical
mistakes but not
enough to make it
illegible; eulogy
speech somewhat
professional.

Papers have very


few or no
grammatical errors.
Eulogy speech was
performed
professionally and
realistically.

Eulogy

Total: ________/100 points

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