William Whitten
From my early youth I have held a high intrigue for American history and human migrations and have had a compelling passion in researching my family genealogy to include our Native American ancestry. As such, libraries and archives have become somewhat of a second home to me. When I decided to re-enter school I felt that Archival Research and Restoration (Public History) was the most logical choice for my major and have pursued that path while focusing on the possibility of a double minor in Native American Studies and Cultural Anthropology. Naturally, history and research have been a focus in my studies and though my passion for archival research remains, my direction has now changed to a major in Anthropology focusing on Archaeology with a double minor in History and Native American Studies. I have recently completed my Associate of Science Degree through Roane State Community College and will be transferring to Middle Tennessee State University in the Fall 2012 semester. My immediate goal is to achieve a Bachelors degree with intents of pursuing post-graduate work to possibly include a Doctorate. As such, my educational goals remain long-term. During my stead at RSCC, I also became the Vice President of the National Honors Society, Phi Theta Kappa. Involvement in PTK required me to complete Honors projects in addition to my regular studies. Though my education thus far has not included any formal archival courses, my first Honors project was the compilation of the accession of family files at the Cumberland County Archives and Family Heritage Center here in Crossville where I volunteer and work directly under the advisement of a trained archivist. Aside from that, I have also worked diligently to compile and archive the Cumberland County divorce records that are now on record. My volunteer work at the Cumberland County Archives and employment at the Homestead Tower Museum has propelled my immense respect for the study, care, and research of primary sources. Building upon the previous, my cultural heritage is American Mtis (mixed European and Native American). As such, recent developments in the museum community have given cause to reevaluate the direction in representation of the Native American culture by bringing into focus not only artifacts but important figures and events in the formation of the United States as an integral part of American history. With these trends of switching focus to a more definitive path, I believe opportunities are abound for me along my chosen course as I have devoted much of my time toward researching the Native American cultures including their heritage, traditions, and customs. In line with this, I am at the ground floor of taking steps to establish the Standing Stone American Indian Cultural Center (SSAICC) in Monterey, Tennessee. We have a Board of Directors and are chartered in Tennessee as a non-profit organization. Our goal is to become an educational resource through a broader perspective and understanding in American Indian history and culture for Monterey, Tennessee and the surrounding area. The SSAICC will concentrate its efforts on educating the local public, visitors, and schoolchildren in the ways of the American Indians of the past, present, and future, along with the rich history associated with the Standing Stone/Monterey area. By providing user-friendly technology, 3-dimensional displays, and educational programs, the SSAICC will interact in a personal way with all those who participate. Through events such as re-enactments and powwows, history will be brought to life in a way that is both entertaining and educational. In addition, the proper handling and housing of historic documents, photographs, and artifacts will help save the past for generations to come.
William Whitten of Crossville graduated from Roane State Community College. Roane State is a two-year college providing transfer curricula, career-preparation programs and continuing educatio...
July, 23 2012 - Verified by Roane State Community College