|
HST 401/501—Topics in American History: Field Methods in Community History Research
Special Session 13: July 9-August 4, 2007
Instructor: Christine L. Ridarsky
Accommodations
During the first two weeks of this course students will be required to reside “in the field” – in the area where we will be conducting our research. Campsites will be provided to students for free in Smith Park in the Town of Hector, Schuyler County. Students must provide their own tents or make arrangements to share tent space with other students. We will be cohabitating with students enrolled in the Anthropology Department’s Archaeological Field School (ANT 442/542), and it may be possible to share tent space with these students as well as with other history students. The instructor can help to facilitate this upon request.
In addition to tents, students will need to provide their own sleeping bags, pillows, towels, toiletries, and other necessities for outdoor living. Keep in mind that weather conditions in the Finger Lakes region in July can vary from hot and humid to cool and rainy. As far as clothing, casual wear (jeans, shorts, t-shirts, sweatshirts, etc.) is generally fine, but you will want to make sure that your choices allow you to present a clean, neat, and semi-professional appearance when visiting historical records repositories and conducting oral history interviews. Plastic snap-top storage bins (such as Rubbermaid) work well for keeping clothing and other items clean and dry in tents.
Meals
Students are responsible for their own meals. In the past, students have organized communal cooking, contributing approximately $10 per week for groceries and taking turns preparing meals (including packed lunches for daily excursions). A propane cook stove, charcoal grill, and basic cooking supplies (pots, pans, and utensils) will be provided.
Smith Park
Smith Park is located on the shores of Seneca Lake off Route 414 in the Town of Hector, eight miles north of Watkins Glen, in the heart of Finger Lakes wine country. The waterfront park features a swimming beach, picnic areas, a boat launch, and hiking trails. The campground has bathroom facilities – toilets, sinks, and showers – although they definitely do not provide all the luxuries of home. Contact information: 5640 State Route 414, P.O. Box 73, Hector, NY 14841-0073. Phone: 607-546-9911 or 607-546-4467.
Directions
From Brockport, take Route 31 east to Route 531 east to Interstate 490 east. Follow I-490 to its end and take Interstate 90 (NYS Thruway) east to Exit 42 – Waterloo (Toll $0.95). Follow signs for Route 96 south. Stay on Route 96 south through the Village of Waterloo, the Town of Romulus, and past the former Seneca Army Depot. Near the old depot, Route 96 intersects and runs in conjunction with Route 414. Continue south on Routes 96 and 414. When the two routes split, follow Route 414 south through Ovid, Lodi, and Valois to Hector. The entrance to Smith Park is on the right not far past the Dandy Mart and the Hector Presbyterian Church and before the Stone Cat Cafe. The specific location of our campsites will be provided to enrolled students prior to the start of classes.
Go Back to Field Methods 2007 Main Page
