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Maryland Archeology Month

-April 2008-

Stories of Liberty
Archeology in Annapolis

Maryland Archeology Month is a celebration of our shared archeological heritage - created by Maryland's diverse inhabitants over the last 12,000 years. Protecting this irreplaceable archeological heritage provides opportunities to discover and learn from the past. We invite you to "Get Involved!" in Maryland's past by attending as many events as you can, and by exploring this web site's gallery of archeological mysteries!

Archeology Month Events:

Events by Location

Events by Date

Pre-April / All Month / 1-5 April / 6-12 April / 13-19 April / 20-26 April / 27-30 April / Post-April

Pre-April Activities

Month-Long Activities

1-5 April 2008

-3 April 2008-

Lab Work: Processing Artifacts from the Bill Grieb 17th Century Site Project
Description: The Maryland Office of Archeology is offering volunteer opportunities at the Crownsville Artifact Processing Laboratory. The Bill Grieb 17th Century Site Project will involve cataloging, identifying, drawing and photographing material from an important colonial site just off the Chester River.
Sponsor: The Maryland Historic Trust, Office of Archeology
Location: The Crownsville Artifact Processing Laboratory is located in the basement of the Peoples Resource Center, Crownsville, Maryland.
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fee: None. Registration is required.
Contact: For more information and/or directions call or email Bruce F. Thompson at 410.514.7663 or bthompson@mdp.state.md.us.

-6 April 2008-

Lecture: Symbols Set In Stone: Bald Friars Petroglyphs
Description: Maryland State Terrestrial Archaeologist Charlie Hall presents the story of local rock art.
Sponsor: Havre de Grace Maritime Museum.
Location: Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, 100 Lafayette Street Havre de Grace, MD 21078
Time: 2 p.m.
Fee: Free for museum members, $2.00 donation suggested for others.
Contact:Havre de Grace Museum, 410-939-4800.

6-12 April 2008

-10 April 2008-

-11 April 2008-

Lecture: Spirited Encounters: American Indians Protest Museum Poicies and Practices
Description: Karen Coody Cooper will give a presentation about her recently published book that chronicles Native protests of museum policies. Based on her work at the Smithsonian in the National Museum of the American Indian museum training program, Ms Cooper provides insight into American Indian concerns, American Indian and non-Indian relationships, and how museums have evolved.
Sponsor: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Location:Visitor Center, 10515 Mackall Rd., St. Leonard, MD 20685
Time: 7 p.m.
Fee:None
Contact: Michele Parlett, 410-586-8501

-12 April 2008-

Symposium: Annual Spring Symposium on Archeology: Town Founding in the Chesapeake.
Description: The Symposium topic will be the process of town founding in the Chesapeake region. Lectures will cover a wide range of subjects within this topic.
Location: First Presbyterian Church, 165 Duke of Gloucester St., Annapolis MD
Contact: Jim Gibb
Time: 9 a.m. - 3:15 p.m.
Fee: ASM Members: $5.00, Non-Members: $7.00.

13-19 April 2008

-13 April 2008-

Workshop: Artifact Identification Workshop
Description: Learn how to identify, research, and preserve family treasures and unique finds. There will be NO appraisal services provided.
Sponsor: Havre de Grace Maritime Museum.
Location: Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, 100 Lafayette Street Havre de Grace, MD 21078
Time: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Fee: $5.00 for museum members, $7.50 for non-members. Family rates available.
Contact:Havre de Grace Museum, 410-939-4800

-17 April 2008-

-17, 18 & 19 April 2008-

Field Investigation: Archeological testing of the Pine Valley Park Prehistoric Site
Description: ASM members and the general public are invited to assist in the excavation, screening and troweling of shovel tests and one-meter test squares in the exploration of a pre-ceramic prehistoric archeological site. To date, a small assemblage of stone tools, likely associated with a small resource procurement camp in the Archaic Period, has been recovered. The archeological testing involves the documentation of an open field archeological site located in the town of Manchester in Carroll County, Maryland.
Sponsor: Chapter and the Board of Directors for the Manchester Parks Foundation
Location:Northern Carroll County, Maryland
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Directions: Directions and what to bring to the archeological site will be provided to the individuals who pre-register.
Fee:None
Contact: Stephen Israel at ssisrael@verizon.net, (410) 945-5514 or Benton Watson at (410) 857-4970.

-19 April 2008-

Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum: 25th Annual Opening Day and Earth Day Celebration
Free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Numerous educational and environmental organizations will be on hand offering a wide range of activities. Some of the tours and other activities are listed below. Check our website at: www.jefpat.org for more information.

Walking Tour:From the Ground Up: Revealing Culture through Archaeology
Description: Come learn how archaeologist read the clues to discover the secrets of past cultures. All Ages.
Sponsor: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Location:Visitor Center, 10515 Mackall Rd., St. Leonard, MD 20685
Time: 11 a.m.
Fee:None
Contact: Eric Frere, Telephone: 410-586-8504

Walking Tour:A Point in Focus: A Detailed Look at the Facets of Archaeology
Description: Big pictures are made up of tiny details, come learn about some of the details. All Ages.
Sponsor: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Location:Visitor Center, 10515 Mackall Rd., St. Leonard, MD 20685
Time: 1 p.m.
Fee:None
Contact: Eric Frere, Telephone: 410-586-8504

Tour: Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab Tours
Description: The Maryland Archaeological Conservation Lab opens its doors to the public for free guided tours. This behind-the-scenes look at Maryland’s premier archaeology lab shows visitors how artifacts are studied, conserved, and prepared for permanent storage.
Sponsor: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Location:MAC Lab, 10515 Mackall Rd., St. Leonard, MD 20685
Time: 12 and 2 p.m.
Fee:None
Contact: Kathy Concannon, Telephone: 410-586-8562

Hands-on Program:Plates and Points: Identifying Antiques and Artifacts
Description: Bring in archaeological artifacts or antique ceramics and glass from home for identification by ceramic and glass scholar George Miller and park archaeologist Ed Chaney. Identification only, no appraisals offered.
Sponsor: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Location:MAC Lab, 10515 Mackall Rd., St. Leonard, MD 20685
Time: 12 - 4 p.m.
Fee:None
Contact: Kate Dinnel, Telephone: 410-586-8538

Children's Workshop:The Archaeology of Slavery
Description: Discover how archaeologists learn about the lives of the enslaved through hands-on activities. See 250-year old artifacts excavated from Maryland slave sites and learn what they can tell us about the past. Recommended for ages 8-11.
Sponsor: Reginald Lewis Museum
Location:Museum Classroom, 830 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Time: 2 - 4 p.m.
Fee:Free with museum admission.
Contact:Terry Taylor, Telephone: 443-263-1829 or 443-263-1875

20-26 April 2008

-21 April 2008-

Public Lecture: Carroll County Archaeology: Discoveries and Surprises, by Archaeologists, Stephen Israel
Description: The public lecture will cover and overview of Carroll COunty archaeology, the types of archaeology projects and Stephen Israel's own archaeological investigations in Carroll County.
Sponsor: Carroll COunty Genealogical Society
Location: Carroll COunty Public Library, Westminster Branch in the Dixon Room. 50 E> Main street, Westminster, MD 21157
Contact: Ann Horvath (410)526-4878.
Time: Monday April 21, 2008, 7 p.m.
Fee: None.

-24 April 2008-

Lab Work: Processing Artifacts from the Bill Grieb 17th Century Site Project
Description: The Maryland Office of Archeology is offering volunteer opportunities at the Crownsville Artifact Processing Laboratory. The Bill Grieb 17th Century Site Project will involve cataloging, identifying, drawing and photographing material from an important colonial site just off the Chester River.
Sponsor: The Maryland Historic Trust, Office of Archeology
Location: The Crownsville Artifact Processing Laboratory is located in the basement of the Peoples Resource Center, Crownsville, Maryland.
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fee: None. Registration is required.
Contact: For more information and/or directions call Bruce F. Thompson at 410.514.7663 or email him at bthompson@mdp.state.md.us.

-26 April 2008-

Symposium: George’s Underground: Currant Archaeology in Prince George’s County
Description: This symposium on currant archaeology in Prince George’s County will feature presentations on the archaeology of American Indians, Colonial settlements, and enslaved and free African Americans. All presentations will be tailored towards the general public. Artifacts and the “tools of the trade” will be on display, as well as information on volunteer opportunities.
Sponsor: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC)
Location: College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Scott Drive, College Park, MD 20740, 301-864-6029, 301-927-6472 (fax), TTY: 301-699-2544, www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Fee: None.
Contact: M-NCPPC Archaeology Program, 301-627-1286, Don Creveling or Mike Lucas.

Display: Prehistoric Archeology of Dorchester County
Description: Join professional and avocational archeologists for this day-long conversation about the prehistoric archeology of Dorchester County (you don't have to stay all day!). The record of more than 12,000 years of human activity on this landscape can be appreciated though an examination of the artifacts left behind. Among the collections exhibited will be Darrin Lowery's Chesapeake Archeological Research Foundation prehistoric collection, and Charles Clough's collection of materials collected from the Sandy Hill Adena site. In addition to viewing, you can also talk to experts and learn about artifacts you have found.
Sponsor:Dorchester County Historical Society & the South Dorchester Folk Museum
Location: Robbins Heritage Center, at LaGrange Plantation, 902-904 LaGrange Ave, Cambridge, MD
Time: 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Contact: Terry Crannell at (410) 943-3870 or (410) 221-5122, email: osmisos@yahoo.com

Exhibit: Grand Opening of the Van Sweringen Exhibit at Hitoric St. Mary's City
Description: Garrett Van Sweringen was one of the more durable characters of St. Mary’s City during the period of the capital. A Dutch immigrant from Delaware, Van Sweringen operated an exclusive lodging house in St. Mary’s City which catered to the elite. Van Sweringen served as alderman and mayor of the city and was one of the most enterprising entrepreneurs in early Maryland. The new exhibit, on the actual archaeological site, tells the story of Van Sweringen and the history and archaeology that allow us to tell his saga. Ribbon cutting will occur at 1 p.m. and Dr. Henry Miller will present an illustrated talk in the State House at 2 p.m.
Location: Historic St. Mary’s City
Contact: Historic St. Mary's City, 1-800-SMC-1634 or 240-895-4990
Time: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fee: All activities FREE all day long.

27-30 April 2008

-28 April 2008-

Post-April Activities

- 11 April 2008-1 December 2008 -

Exhibit: 100 Years of Modern Roadbuilding: Maryland Highway Centennial 1908-2008
Description: This exhibit features a visual chronology of the past 100 years of Maryland road development including historical artifacts. The exhibit is part of a state-wide initiative by SHA to promote their anniversary at various sites along the interstate.
Sponsor: Maryland State Highway Administration and the Baltimore Museum of Industry
Location: 415 Key Hwy, Baltimore, MD 21230
Fee:$10 adult/$6 students & seniors/Free for museum members.
Contact: (410) 727-4808

- 10 May 2008 -

Hands-On Activity:Annual Archaeology Day at Needwood Mansion
Description: Archaeology Day at Needwood Mansion is an introduction to archaeology for all ages. There is something for everyone! Under supervision, participants will excavate, screen, and wash artifacts. There will be interpretive house tours by the "Robertsons" who lived here in the 1800's! Old-time games for kids of all ages and crafts.
Sponsor: Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Department of Parks and the Archaeological Society of Maryland, Inc. Mid-Potomac Chapter.
Location:Needwood Mansion, 6700 Needwood Road, Rockville, Maryland 20855
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fee:$8 individual/$15 family
Contact: Heather Bouslog, heather.bouslog@mncppc-mc.org or 301.840.5848, please make reservations!
Notes: Bring your lunch and digging clothes.

- 13 May-5 July 2008 -

Excavation:Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum: Public Archaeology Program
Description: You are invited to join Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum archaeologists this summer in the excavation of the 18th-century Smith’s St. Leonard Site plantation complex.
Sponsor: Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum
Location:(Location of Event)
Dates: The program will run Tuesday through Saturday, May 13 through July 5. Tuesdays and Thursdays are “Lab Days,” while Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays will be “Field Days,” weather permitting.
Fee:None
Contact:To volunteer, contact Ed Chaney at 410-586-8554 or by e-mail at echaney@mdp.state.md.us.