Monuments, Memorials and Plaques

Richard Berry Harrison
(1864–1935), actor. Harrison is one of many actors remembered for a single role. It was his interpretation of De Lawd in The Green Pastures (1930) which made that play so mesmerizing. He played the part nearly two thousand times before his death. Marc Connelly recalled him thus: “Topping his six foot height was a head of leonine gray hair. Below it, we saw a face that had managed to weather sixty five years of struggle and disheartenment. . . . He spoke with a voice like a cello's.” Harrison was the son of slaves who had escaped to Canada via the Underground Railroad. Moving later to Detroit, he studied elocution and then offered Shakespearean and other recitals on the L. E. Behymer and Chautauqua circuits. The Green Pastures marked his only professional appearance in a play.

I have become interested in Richard Harrison because of this plaque, which I noticed in Nelson Street Park when I first arrived in London. The plaque is not listed in Parks Canada (London, Ontario, Historic Persons) but there is a YouTube site with a video of the installation and the church ceremony. The information above is from Wikipedia. All of this is relevant to our discussion of historic site designation, memorials and nation building. It appears to me that this plaque was sponsored by a local group, having been overlooked by Parks Canada. I expect that there is a process and a political path to such things, but the erection of the plaque is what is important. Although not readable from the photo, this plaque is well-written and describes Richard Harrison's perseverence in following his acting ambition and using his talent. His challenges were stated clearly and as were his accomplishments. Now, I haven't taken the time to examine the details or research his life but it seems to me that there is more to this than the obvioius. The community that took action and erected this plaque are to be congratulated on their effort and the execution of their work.

Memorialization, commemoration, celebration and nation building are all important aspects of understanding who we are as a people. I believe that each generation has a responsibility to continue to memorialize, commemorate, celebrate and nation build. Although we enjoy the comforts of modern living it is all too easy to forget how that comfort is possible, which is why I followed the 1914-1918 memorial with interest and admiration. A similar example of neglecting would be a spender, bent on having material goods without having acquired the means. There is an assumed comfort level, unearned. So if the first attempts at memorializing and commemorating are slanted, political, not balanced or lack perspective, it seems to me that is forgiveable. Who or what isn't a work in progress? Continuing the exercise of remembering and honouring is the point. In Public History we are examining the methods and the result, by critically examining examples. Somewhere on this continum we find our own comfort level and preferences. I regard the examples with a questioning stance, at the same time efforts such as the plaque for Harrison are to be commended. It is simple, straight forward--he lived, he followed his dream, his work was well done, he met his challenges and he should be remembered. So that people like me, walking along a path in a quiet park in London will see, think and reflect on the life of a man I didn't know about, a fellow Canadian, who lived and died long before me will affect my life. I may need help remembering the details of his life in years to come, and without Parks Canada support that will be a bit difficult.

So the my last thought for this message has to do with memoralizing, commemorating and remembering in the future. It seems to me that the tools of the past are giving way to the tools of the present. For example the YouTube video of the Harrison plaque installation. R. H. Thompson, Paul Gross, and the organizations with whom they've collaborated to create their memorials, are forging a new method to reach a 'visual society.' The importance of collaboration, of utilizing artistic talent such as Jason Rip, writer/director of Grey Days Preferable, talent, interest and skill wherever it can be found. In the end, who reads those plaques--just the curious history student, walking through the park! Who seeks out historical markers or places on the Internet before they arrange their trip? I would contend that the general population is not out there looking for historic sites, to learn about their local history, their country's history or to be more knowledgeable of their heritage.

Why I am studying Public History!!!!