Root Down to Move Forward

Virginia’s Eastern Shore has a distinct way of living–and eating. And looking at the environment and economy of the Eastern Shore, there are some big changes on the horizon. Virginia Folklife Director Katy Clune digs in and asks: What are the cultural values of the region today? Scientists and policy makers talk about climate resilience. What about cultural resilience?

Jessica Taylor has been recording oral histories in Eastern Virginia for nearly two decades. She says the people she’s spoken to paint a picture of migration in the area. How do some families manage to keep their land and their roots while others are pushed out?

Tangier Island is the last inhabited island in Virginia that’s only reachable by boat. And because of rapid environmental changes, it’s becoming an increasingly difficult place to live. Lincoln Lewis first visited Tangier Island to study the crab houses used by fishermen there, but has since moved to the island. He’s studying how locals consider long-term planning for the island.