When I took my summer job in commercial archaeology, I waited about a week to recieve my work schedule. When I did, I was surprised to find that between the end of June and the first week of July, I had a substantial break during which I would have to move out of my company provided hotel room and move well, anywhere else. In an ideal and regular world, I would head home. There are days when I do miss home greatly. However, with the virus and the daily possible exposure I've recieved thus far, I felt uncomfortable returning home without testing and a negative result. After dwelling on what to do for some time, I came to the conclusion that it's unlikely I'll be in the American south for a substantial period of time in the conceivable (or even long term) future. That realization is what fairly quickly led to my forming this personal project, website, and plan. While this will not be my last substantial trip, it will be my first and most extensive. In this posting, I'll go through the place by place plan I've made to fill up that time and briefly describe some of the locations I'll visit.
I'll begin my journey by driving from Hot Springs Arkansas to Dallas. After making the drive, I'll be heading to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary's Tandy Archaeology Museum. This visit will be interesting not only because it will offer a glimpse of one of the largest Biblical Archaeology Collections in the country, but also because of the school's recent decision to cut their substantial archaeology program entirely. My visit will thus offer the opportunity to ask about the future of archaeology at Southwestern Baptist and the future of their archaeological collections. I will be met at the museum by one of the seminary's professors.
The next day, I'll be heading to the Creation Evidence Museum and the Museum of Biblical Art. As my first creation museum, the Creation Evidence Museum will provide a helpful glimpse into current creationist thought which will guide and prepare me for future visits. The Museum of Biblical Art has few archaeological artifacts, but as a speciality museum certainly has important truths to reveal about the role of the Bible in the contempory American consciousness . In particular, I am looking forward to seeing some of the recreated facades including the museum's Via Dolorosa sculpture garden.
From Dallas, my next major drive will take me to New Orleans. Along the way, I'll stop at the small Naranjo Natural History Museum. While the museum has relatively few artifacts on display, it's perfectly on the way, and sometimes small collections hold larger truths. From my discussion with a figure at the museum over the phone, the artifacts from the Holy Land at the museum were the product of a singular collector's interest in their Biblical connection. I'm certainly very excited to see this small collection as it is one of many such small collections most of which are not advertised or shared with the public.
Once in New Orleans, I'll be visiting the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Museum of Archaeology and the Bible. While I expect the collection to be largely similar to many other purchased collections, I am looking forward to the opportunity to meet with a professor from the seminary who will certainly add tremendously to my understanding of the museum and its mission. Time permitting, I'll be able to follow this up with a visit to Palestine Gardens, an outdoor scale model of the Holy Land based on the 19th century "Palestine Park" scale recreation which may still be visited in Chautauqua New York (I will certainly be visiting on my way back.
Next, I'll be heading on to Atlanta, Georgia where I'll be visiting the Biblical History center, a recreation village with actors and activities. Fascinatingly, the center's museum is also one of 8 institutions in the United States that recieves a collection of artifacts on loan from the Israel antiquities authority. I'm still trying to get in touch with figures from the museum in order to ask them about this fascinating means of antiquities acquisition. In particular, I'm curious about their interpretation of why the Israel Antiquities Authority selected their museum to recieve artifacts and the way they portray these artifacts. One wonders whether the fact that they're coming from Israel and could return at any point means they're valued more than biblical artifacts in "owned" collections.
Heading back North to Tennessee, my next stop is at Southern Adventist University to visit the Lynn H. Wood Archaeological Museum. Here too I'll be meeting up with someone from the museum to learn about their collection.
After a few days break in Nashville, I'll head towards my last stop in Eureka Springs, Arkansas where I'll be seeing the "Great Passion Play."This large scale outdoor play includes over 150 actors and is apparrently America's #1 Outdoor Drama. The play takes place in a larger outdoor theme park of sorts, which also includes a Bible Museum and a recreation village. As such, the "Great Passion Play" will truly encompass and encapsulate many of my prior visits, giving me the opportunity to compare and draw larger conclusions about my trip as a whole.
I'm looking forward to the trip, though I would be lying if I said I was looking forward to the driving. Well, I guess that's what it takes to see Biblical America.
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