Lynching to Liberation: Heritage Conservation & Descendant Advocacy

Eufaula, Alabama | June 2025

Organized by Eliza Jane Franklin through the Black Heritage Society of Eufaula, Alabama, the Lynching to Liberation Conference brought together descendants, historians, preservationists, and community members to examine the history and enduring impact of racial violence in Barbour County.

The conference incorporated historical research, public programming, community engagement, and a commemorative soil collection ceremony honoring victims of racial terror lynchings. Grounded in descendant-led preservation practices, the initiative emphasized the importance of documenting marginalized histories, engaging communities in the interpretation of their cultural heritage, and recognizing sites of racial violence as significant components of the historic landscape.

The project reflects Franklin's interdisciplinary approach to heritage conservation, integrating archival research, historical interpretation, community partnerships, and public history programming.