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Finding Solace in the Soil: An Archaeology of Gardens and Gardeners at Amache

Name: Finding Solace in the Soil: An Archaeology of Gardens and Gardeners at Amache
Price: 34.95 USD
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4.7 of 5 Stars: Archaeology - Finding Solace in the Soil: An Archaeology of Gardens and Gardeners at Amache

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Book Synopsis: Finding Solace in the Soil tells the largely unknown story of the gardens of Amache, the War Relocation Authority incarceration camp in Colorado. Combining physical evidence with oral histories and archival data and enriched by the personal photographs and memories of former Amache incarcerees, the book describes how gardeners cultivated community in confinement. Before incarceration, many at Amache had been farmers, gardeners, or nursery workers. Between 1942 and 1945, they applied their horticultural expertise to the difficult high plains landscape of southeastern Colorado. At Amache they worked to form microclimates, reduce blowing sand, grow better food, and achieve stability and preserve community at a time of dehumanizing dispossession. In this book, archaeologist Bonnie J. Clark examines botanical data like seeds, garden-related artifacts, and other material evidence found at Amache, as well as oral histories from survivors and archival data including personal letters and government records, to recount how the prisoners of Amache transformed the harsh military setting of the camp into something resembling a town. She discusses the varieties of gardens found at the site, their place within Japanese and Japanese American horticultural traditions, and innovations brought about by the creative use of limited camp resources. The gardens were regarded by the incarcerees as a gift to themselves and to each other. And they were also, it turns out, a gift to the future as repositories of generational knowledge where a philosophical stance toward nature was made manifest through innovation and horticultural skill. Framing the gardens and gardeners of Amache within the larger context of the incarceration of Japanese Americans and of recent scholarship on displacement and confinement, Finding Solace in the Soil will be of interest to gardeners, historical archaeologists, landscape archaeologists, cultural anthropologists, and scholars of Japanese American history and horticultural history.

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Discover a hidden piece of history with Finding Solace in the Soil: An Archaeology of Gardens and Gardeners at Amache. Unearth the untold story of the gardens at Amache, the War Relocation Authority incarceration camp in Colorado. Through a blend of physical evidence, oral histories, and archival data, this remarkable book unveils the resilience and community cultivated by gardeners amidst confinement.

Envelop yourself in the lives of former Amache incarcerees as they transform a harsh military setting into a thriving town. Delve into the botanical data, seeds, and garden-related artifacts found at Amache, expertly analyzed by archaeologist Bonnie J. Clark. Step into the shoes of these incarcerated gardeners, who leveraged their horticultural expertise to create microclimates, combat blowing sand, grow better food, and preserve a sense of stability and community during a time of unparalleled hardships.

Unravel the multifaceted layers of the gardens found at Amache and their significance within Japanese and Japanese American horticultural traditions. Witness the innovative and resourceful use of limited camp resources, as the incarcerees turned a barren landscape into a vibrant oasis. Experience the profound impact of these gardens, which were cherished as a gift by the incarcerees, and as repositories of generational knowledge – manifesting a harmonious relationship with nature through innovation and horticultural skill.

By framing the gardens and gardeners of Amache within the larger context of Japanese American incarceration, Finding Solace in the Soil contributes to the growing body of knowledge on displacement and confinement. This captivating book will captivate gardeners, historical archaeologists, landscape archaeologists, cultural anthropologists, and scholars of Japanese American history and horticultural history alike.

Embark on a journey through time and delve into the power of nature and community with Finding Solace in the Soil: An Archaeology of Gardens and Gardeners at Amache. Discover a legacy bridging the past and present, and be inspired by the resilience and innovation of those who sought solace in the soil.

To embark on this thought-provoking journey, purchase Finding Solace in the Soilhere.

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