Date: Mar 19, 2010

Hofstra archeologists highlight Long Island’s African American history for Columbia University project

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY -  The Center for Public Archeology at Hofstra University has contributed profiles, video, pod casts, historic and images for 10 Long Island sites to the Mapping the American Past (MAAP) educational website hosted by Teachers College at Columbia University.

MAAP is an award-winning educational and archival project that features multimedia profiles of people and places of significance in the history of the African American community in the New York metropolitan area. The site provides instructional materials for K-12 teachers, including lesson plans that explain how to use the website's resources in the classroom. With easy to access information, maps and multimedia content, MAAP helps anyone learn more about New York history and even plan visits to many sites of interest.

The profiles contributed by Hofstra include the Amityville Bethel AME Church, which is considered the first black church on Long Island, Booker T. Washington's summer home in Fort Salonga, and Hofstra University, where Martin Luther King, Jr. was awarded an honorary degree and delivered the commencement address in 1965.

"By including historic sites from Long Island, teachers, children and community members can not only learn about the broader contributions to African American history, but also rethink the modern boundaries that divide us, racially and geographically," said Jenna Coplin, Director of Research and Outreach for the Center for Public Archeology.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate offerings in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students' interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future
                                                                                             ###