Make Your Plans to Dig in 2010
Fall colors recently splashed the Montpelier landscape, but the Archaeology team is already thinking ahead to 2010. In fact the 2010 Archaeology Expeditions and Excursions schedule just came out. These week-long programs allow people at any experience level to unearth history side-by-side with Montpelier’s staff archaeologists.
Area south of mansion--Stable Quarter Complex
Next season, we will focus on the area between the Visitor Center and the mansion’s South Yard. During the early nineteenth century, this area housed several outbuildings including the Madisons’ stable and at least one slave quarter. Previous surveys show several promising spots to excavate. The team will hit the dirt in this area starting in March 2010. We expect to locate structural features and artifact concentrations including ceramics, glasswares, and iron tools. We’ll also uncover the yards the Madisons’ slaves used for daily work activities. Next year’s work will contribute to Montpelier’s efforts to interpret the lives of all of the Montpelier Community members.
The Montpelier Archaeology Expedition Program began a decade-and-a-half ago. In fact many of the same participants return year after year. We are always looking to add new faces to the program. Participants gain actual excavation experience on an archaeological site. Our staff of eight archaeologists works with participants both in the lab and in the field. This allows participants to work on sensitive features, artifacts, and deposits that are not normally available to the public. In addition to the archaeology experience, guests attend special lectures, take tours of various archaeological sites on the property, and of course get a tour of the newly-restored mansion.
Session dates are:
- Session 1: March 28-April 2
- Session 2: April 11-16
- Session 3: April 25-30
- Session 4: August 1-6
- Session 5: August 8-13
- Session 6: August 22-27
- Session 7: September 5-11
- Session 8: October 3-8
- Session 9: October 17-22
For more information on the program shedule, or to learn more about the Archaeology Expedition and Archaeology Excursion, programs please click on the following link on Montpelier’s main website: Archaeology Programs 2010.
Tags: Montpelier Community, Slaves and Slavery, South Yard