Elderwood Residents Visit African Exhibit at SRAC

Becky Benninger, Elderwood Senior Care

(WAVERLY, NY) Elderwood Senior Care Residents took a field trip to the Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) recently. The residents were seated in chairs and wheelchairs around a “camp fire” where SRAC’s Janet Andrus presented actual artifacts to them to handle and see up close. The residents held items from finely beaded jars to weaponry as they were told about the way of life of the people who made and used them in the harsh sub-Saharan desert environment of Eastern Africa.

SRAC’s cofounder and executive director, Deb Twigg stated, “Earlier this week, we had the entire 7th grade class from the Athens School district in and today we had the “elders” of our community in. In fact one of the Elderwood residents even climbed in the Somali hut to the amazement of us all! It makes us so proud that our Center is a great place for community members of all ages to enjoy.

Bob Vasliow, Elderwood Senior Care resident

In celebration of having the African Exhibit for Black History Month - we decided that we would not charge any child/student or the Elderwood residents anything for making the trip.”

The Susquehanna River Archaeological Center (SRAC) is located at 345 Broad Street in Waverly, NY, and is open Tuesdays through Fridays from 1-5pm, and Saturdays 11-5pm. The “Ordinary Objects- Extraordinary People” African Exhibit which represents the eight nomadic tribes of Eastern Africa was unveiled at SRAC February 4th and will be on display at the Center for only two more weeks in celebration of Black History Month. A donation of $3 is requested which will include both the SRAC Woolly Mammoth and Native American exhibit as well as the “Ordinary Objects- Extraordinary People” African Exhibit. SRAC members and students can visit the exhibit all month for free.