Cultural Connections

"When we love the earth, we are able to love ourselves more fully. I believe this. The ancestors taught me it was so." - bell hooks, Touching the Earth

The Freemans & Camp Orr
humans and nature are instrinsically linked.

Stories from the Land

Newman Wetlands Center and the surrounding land are rich in natural history. The land also holds deeply embedded cultural memories. Though we will never know all of what our land has witnessed, we believe it is essential for us to share the stories we know. This is especially true as much of Metro Atlanta is developed and cultural stories are lost along with ecosystems and their services. Below are a couple of our favorite stories to share. You may read it and/or watch the video linked on the yellow button above. 

The Freeman Family

Anderson “Pap” Freeman, Sr. was born in 1830 in Spalding County. He was enslaved and sold to a landowner in Clayton County. He lived and worked in Clayton County after he was emancipated. He fathered 13 children, several of whom bought land along Babb’s Mill Road and what would become Freeman Road. They homesteaded, growing food crops and cotton. Remnant farming equipment and terracing are visible from Boardwalk Trail. 

In 1906, Pap proposed that the family host the first annual Freeman family reunion, a tradition that continues today. The original homecomings happened nearby. A stone monument featuring the first two generations of Freemans stands at our entrance, honoring the family and their stories. Eventually, the Freemans sold most of their land holdings along Freeman Road, but their descendants continue to visit to reconnect with their ancestors and heritage. 

Grey scale photo of two Black men from the 1800s. Both were formerly enslaved. They're standing straight, looking at the camera. They're both in brimmed hats, coats, button-up vests, and pants. Neither smiles.
Austin (left) and Anderson Freeman
Descendants of Anderson Freeman Sr. at a homecoming celebration.
Jeremiah and Mary Freeman
Eddie "Doc" Freeman

Camp J. K. Orr

Camp J. K. Orr, a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Camp, opened in 1940 on the land just up the hill from Newman Wetlands Center. The camp was proposed by and named for local philanthropist Joseph K. Orr. Orr convinced his Masonic Lodge to donate the funds for the purchase of 541 acres of land so the BSA could build a camp for Black scouts in District 10. The camp was also used by local Black Girl Scouts for camping experiences each August. 

There was a lake, a kitchen, an obstacle course, and platform bunkhouses. Scouts learned to build fires, cook outside, shoot, swim, canoe, administer first aid, and more. At the time, BSA trained boys in skills that would make them useful as soldiers.

Camp Orr provided a safe, fun space for Black children to connect to the natural world, learn life skills, and enjoy the freedom to just be kids. This was remarkable given that access to nature, swimming, and knowledge was often restricted based on race during this time period. Camp Orr closed in 1964 when the Civil Rights Act passed and the BSA integrated another local camp. 

We plan to continue conserving the E. L. Huie site with hopes that generations to come can build their own relationship with this land. 

Camp J. K. Orr photos were sourced from the Edward Randolph Carter and Andrew Jackson Lewis Collection, Archives Division, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History, Atlanta-Fulton Public Library System. 

The Freeman family photos were graciously shared by Virginia Freeman.