Indigenous Memories and Parklife Launch “Common Ground in Orange County” Timeline with America 250 NC Grant
New interactive online exhibit explores the untold histories of Indigenous and enslaved communities in Orange County, N.C.
ORANGE COUNTY, N.C. – (July 11th, 2025) – Indigenous Memories, an Orange County, North Carolina-based nonprofit dedicated to preserving and amplifying the histories of marginalized communities, and Parklife, a creative agency headquartered in Charlotte, today launched “Common Ground in Orange County,” a new interactive online timeline that uncovers the often-overlooked histories of local Indigenous and enslaved communities.
Made possible by a grant from the America 250 NC initiative, the project provides a crucial new perspective on freedom and independence before and after the American Revolution, challenging traditional narratives ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The timeline is available to the public for free at https://www.indigenous-memories.com/timeline.
“Common Ground in Orange County” grew from research on a series of Indigenous burial mounds that predate European settlement and an enslaved cemetery at the historic Hardscrabble Plantation.
Through an innovative digital interface, the project uses article pop-outs, short videos from scholars, drone footage of burial grounds, and photos of historical artifacts to explore the central question, "When are we us?" The timeline examines how the fight for American independence had profoundly different, and often devastating, consequences for people of color, challenging viewers to consider whose freedoms were won and whose were lost.
"This project is about making hidden histories visible and accessible," said Beverly Scarlett, co-founder of Indigenous Memories. "These burial grounds are sacred spaces that hold the stories of communities whose voices have been systemically overlooked. By sharing their stories, we honor their memory and provide a more complete understanding of our shared past – addressing how freedom meant something entirely different for Indigenous and Black communities during the nation's founding."
Brian Castle, Founder and CEO of Parklife, said he was honored to partner with Indigenous Memories to bring this vital history to life.
“Bringing our team’s creative skills to bear in the area of historic preservation has been transformative for Parklife,” he said. “When we stand alongside Indigenous and Black community members to make sure their stories receive a proper airing, and with dignity, it’s a powerful legacy we’re having a hand in creating."
“Common Ground in Orange County” was funded by a grant from America 250 NC, which is led by the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026.
The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources’ America 250 NC initiative recently dispersed nearly $900,000 in grant funds across 34 counties in the state. The grant program is designed to spark commemoration programs and activities on a local level.
For more information about the “Common Ground in Orange County” project and to view the timeline, visit https://www.indigenous-memories.com/timeline.
For more information about America 250 NC, visit america250.nc.gov.
About Indigenous Memories: Indigenous Memories is an organization dedicated to preserving and amplifying the histories and cultural legacies of Indigenous and other marginalized communities. Through research, digital projects, and community engagement, it seeks to foster a more inclusive and accurate understanding of our collective past.
About Parklife: Parklife is a full-service creative agency composed of problem-solvers and marketing experts committed to serving entrepreneurs, social innovators, and thought leaders. Founded in 2009, the agency specializes in bringing ideas to life through a wide range of services, including public relations, video production, animation, and design.
Media Contact:
Brian Castle
Parklife
919.360.9690
brian@parklifecomm.com
