The Piscataway Cultural Landscape Initiative - a portal for building connections through large landscape

With its convening of a scholarly colloquium in 2008 called Heart of the Piscataway World, the Accokeek Foundation embarked on a journey to find ways to interpret the history and culture of the Piscataway
people at Piscataway Park. This journey led to the Piscataway Cultural Landscape Initiative, an effort to connect people to the environment through interpretation of the the cultural significance of the
landscape that makes up this national park on the Maryland shore of the Potomac River.

Originally preserved because of its identity as the view that George Washington enjoyed from his estate at Mount Vernon, the park landscape encompasses the sacred homeland of the Piscataway people and
an indigenous presence which goes back thousands of years. After working with scholars and representatives from the three Piscataway bands to develop an interpretive brochure and posters focusing on Piscataway history, the Foundation recognized the need for a deeper understanding of the
contemporary Piscataway experience. Oral history interviews were conducted with Piscataway elders on their connection to the landscape of Southern Maryland. This presentation examines how these stories fit into the larger landscape of conservation, interpretation, and public engagement.