“What’s in a Name?
Exploring Place Names as Forms of Social and Geographic Storytelling”
This interactive workshop invites educators to explore the profound social, historical, and political meanings behind the names attached to places. Far from simple labels, place names, or toponyms, are power-laden expressions of a community’s identity, values, and ongoing struggles for recognition. Participants will learn how to map and critically interpret place names, using primary sources of geographical and historical data, gaining tools to engage students in critical inquiry about the past and present. Together, we will examine how naming practices function as forms of public storytelling, shaping our understanding of who belongs, whose histories are remembered, and how communities claim and contest space through names.
This project is made possible with a grant from
Summer Pre-Workshop Library of Congress Activities are due by 9/1:
- Watch the Geography and Map Division Virtual Orientation (recorded): Teachers respond to a Google Form
- Analyzing Primary Sources Module: Teachers provide a certificate
- Multiple Sources for Multiple Perspectives Module: Teachers provide a certificate
Time |
Monday, October 6th |
9:00 |
TGA Welcome, Daily Expectations, Q/A |
9:30 |
"What’s in a Name? Unpacking the Storytelling Power of Place Names" Derek Alderman (Introduces the idea that place names are not neutral location labels; they encode identity, memory, and narrative.) |
10:30: |
East Tennessee Historical Society: Tour and Talk Lisa Oakley, Vice President and Curator of Education, will guide participants through acquiring ETHS resources and guide them through the facility. |
11:30 |
"Mapping Meaning: Tools for Analyzing Place Names as Social Texts" Derek Alderman (Equips educators with methods to locate, research, and critically interpret toponyms using historical and geographical data.) |
12:30 |
Lunch |
1:30 |
Sectional Reveals of old maps: Brian Smith |
2:00 |
Tennessee State Library and Archives: Gordon Belt |
3:00 |
Story Map Introduction: Michael Camponovo |
3:45 |
Debrief |
Time |
Tuesday, October 7th |
9:00 |
TGA Welcome, Daily Expectations, Q/A |
9:30 |
"Whose Story Gets Told? Place Names, Identity, and Memory" Derek Alderman (Focuses on how place names reflect and shape who is recognized, valued, and made visible within a community.) |
10:30 |
“Kuwohi and the Power of Place Name Repatriation" Seth Kannarr (Explores the restoration of Kuwohi, formerly Clingmans Dome, in the Great Smoky Mountains using primary source analysis and mapping) |
11:30 |
"Teaching Place Names as Public Storytelling: Strategies for Student Engagement" Derek Alderman (Focuses on pedagogical approaches for bringing critical place-name inquiry into the classroom.) |
12:30 |
Lunch |
1:30 |
Analyzing Maps Activity: Brian Smith |
2:00 |
Knoxville County Planning Commission on Name Changes: Michelle Portier and Andrea Kupfer |
3:00 |
Story Mapping Development: Michael Camponovo |
3:45 |
Debrief |
We want to show support and thanks to our host.
