Welcome!

Since joining the team at Caddo Mounds SHS as the educator/ interpreter, I've spent time pondering the place of traditional Caddo stories in my work as liaison between the heritage represented at this site and the travelers who visit it. Within the world of parks resides a complex tapestry of stories that when told well, inspire, intrigue, and sometimes challenge our beliefs about our own history. As a park interpreter at Caddo Mounds, I have the privilege and the challenge of educating visitors about a rich history not entirely my own. Through narratives about history and culture, the local significance of this East Texas treasure is blended with the larger tales of our state and nation. Among others, this site holds the stories of the Caddo Indians who lived here, the invasion of the Spanish and French traveling down El Camino Real de los Tejas, American immigration to Mexican Texas, the Caddo people's relocation to Indian territory in Oklahoma, and the story of Texas Independence.

The magical thing about stories is that often their message transcends specific communities or cultures. Recently, I heard a museum colleague, describing the work of history museums as "bringing to life things that reside in memory." What a great job for stories!