Cypress/West Oakland Historical Archaeology Project

The Cypress Archaeology Project in West Oakland started in the wake of a devastating earthquake, but through research and public outreach has brought attention to a long-neglected neighborhood. In Chapter 1 we explain the origins of the project, its goals, and the methods used to achieve them. One of the most important aspects of the project has been community involvement through oral history, public exhibits, non-technical reports, and even a video. Gertrude Blake’s family were West Oakland pioneers, with ties to the neighborhood that stretch back to the 1870s. Here Mrs. Blake shows off her genealogical research at the opening of an exhibit about the Cypress Archaeology Project at the West Oakland Public Library.

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