Project Overview

Unearthing Duke Forest is a collaborative research initiative established in 2020 to explore the complex histories that have shaped Duke Forest. This interdisciplinary project investigates the intertwined narratives of displaced and enslaved peoples, land use, and scientific advancements, aiming to illuminate how these histories influence current ecological research and knowledge production.

Project History

Convened by doctoral students Kathleen Burns (English), Renata Poulton Kamakura (Nicholas), and Anita Simha (Biology), the project began as an FHI Graduate Working Group. In Spring 2021, it received a Duke Endowment grant for Reckoning with Race, Racism, and the History of the American South, with Prof. Kathleen Donohue (Biology) as the lead faculty PI. A key goal of Unearthing Duke Forest is to highlight the diverse histories of those displaced from the land and to evaluate the relationship between science and society through the lens of Duke Forest. 

The Unearthing Duke Forest Project built on decades of historical information gathered by staff and researchers in the Duke Forest including the current and past directors of the Duke Forest, Sara Childs and Judd Edeburn, respectively, and Duke faculty including, Drs. Nicki Cagle, Norm Christensen, Dan Richter, and others. Their collective efforts have provided a foundation for understanding the intricate histories of the land, enriching our exploration of the complex relationship between ecology and social justice within Duke Forest.

Goals and Objectives

• Visibility: Making the diverse histories of prior inhabitants visible, particularly those histories excluded or actively erased through systemic racism.
• Evaluation: Assessing the intersection of scientific research and social history, using Duke Forest as a case study.
• Public Engagement: Creating interpretive signage at the Robson Mill site to foster connections between visitors and the historical and ecological significance of the area.

Interpretive Signage

The interpretive signs will highlight themes such as:

• Nature as Archive: Understanding the landscape as a record of social history, including the significance of local flora and its connections to European settlement and indigenous practices.
• Social and Natural Histories: Exploring the Robson Mill as a site of enslaved labor and its implications for contemporary ecological research.
• Scientific Legacy: Showcasing the contributions of generations of Duke biologists and ecologists to national and international ecological knowledge.

As part of the project, we recruited undergraduate researchers to conduct studies on how scientists conceptualize their field research within the historical context of Duke Forest. This involves qualitative and quantitative interviews to understand the relevance of land-use history and socio-historical contexts in current ecological research.

Community Involvement

The current Unearthing Duke Forest Team, led by Principal Investigator Nicki Cagle and Sara Childs, Director of the Duke Forest, actively engages with descendants of individuals who lived on the land now known as Duke Forest. The team collaborates with Indigenous community leaders such as Johnny Blackfeather and Vickie Jeffries, the tribal administrator of the Occaneechee Band of the Saponi Nation, as well as historians and archaeologists from various institutions and government agencies focused on the histories of Durham and Orange Counties. This inclusive approach also involves past researchers and diverse stakeholders to enrich the project’s context and impact.

With Duke’s Centennial approaching, this project aims to integrate its findings into ongoing efforts to commemorate and reflect on the university’s history. Through the interpretive signage and related activities, Unearthing Duke Forest seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the intertwined legacies of race, ecology, and science.

Get Involved

We invite community members and stakeholders to engage with our project, share insights, and contribute to the ongoing exploration of Duke Forest’s rich historical tapestry.