Preserving Emanuel AME’s tributes: “It’s part of our legacy”

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Beyond the iron gates of Emanuel AME Church is a basement with tributes from a tragedy.

There are sketches, sculptures and thousands of cards of prayer.

“Each knot represents a prayer that was said for you. September 2015,” said Maxine Smith, reading from a quilt someone made by hand.

These items and other symbols of unity of hope — many of which were left outside the church — now fill a fellowship hall where nine parishioners were gunned down during a Bible study. The church is now deciding how to preserve them even as more mementos continue to pour in.

“The church’s goal is to find a permanent museum at the church,” said Liz Alston, the church’s historian. “And that’s in the making as we speak.”
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During a forum at the College of Charleston Wednesday night, Alston and professional archivists talked about the process of preserving every hand-made memorial and keepsake that arrived at the church from across the country.

Members of the South Carolina Historical Society say they’ve documented about 400 shawls and quilts so far. While flowers couldn’t be saved they say very few items sustained damage from Charleston’s relentless heat and humidity.

“I think it brings home the idea that this was an historical event,” said Joy Vandervort-Cobb, associate professor of African-American Theatre. “And it’s being treated here in Charleston as history. As part of our history. Hopefully a history that won’t be repeated.”

More than a thousand feet of letters fill boxes, with more tributes arriving every day. Archivists and church members continue to count the volume and variety of each donation.

For now the keepsakes are stored at the church and the St. Julian Devine Community Center but space is limited.

Alston said the church would like to have an exhibit at the African-American History Museum in Charleston once it’s built.

“Rest assured that as long as we live these artifacts will be for our legacy,” Alston said. “It’s a part of our legacy.”