Field Schools and Volunteer Opportunities
Each summer, the Archeological Society of Virginia sponsors, participates in or has information about several field schools. The field schools are usually conducted by another organization, such as the United States Forest Service or a College or University, such as Longwood College. The field schools are a great opportunity to learn more about excavation, artifact identification and processing, as well as the historic or prehistoric time period during which the archeological site was occupied.
In addition, several chapters have on-going training digs, surveys, artifact processing and analytical projects that need participants. Contact the Chapters nearest your area for details.
Click here for scenes from past year's ASV/PIT field school.
2009 FIELD SCHOOL AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES BY REGION
TIDEWATER
DHR TIDEWATER REGIONAL OFFICE
Volunteers are accepted for a variety of activities. Willing to work with certification students. David Hazzard 757/886-2820.
APVA / JAMESTOWN REDISCOVERY / UVA CONTINUING AND PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
Six-week field school at Jamestown, June 1 - July 10. The field school offers both the untrained and experienced student the opportunity to learn the practical skills of excavation and recording, identification and interpretation of features and material culture at the site of James Fort, the first permanent English settlement in North America. Applications, additional information and tuition &
Volunteers are needed year-round to help interpret the site. Tom Patton , APVA , 1365 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, VA 23081, 757/229-0412.
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG / WILLIAM & MARY
Two sessions of field school, June 1 - July 3 and July 6 - August 7. Participants must register for the program through William and Mary. Contacts: Marley Brown, Andrew Edwards, or Meredith Poole, Department of Archaeological Research, 23187, 757/220-7330
CHIPPOKES PLANTATION STATE PARK, SURRY COUNTY
Background
Field School from October 26 to November 1, 2008. Chippokes Plantation State Park is located on the bank of the James River in Surry County, Virginia. Background: Chippokes Plantation is among the oldest working farms in the nation. Captain William Powell received a land grant for 550 acres along Chippokes Creek in 1619. In 1646, the plantation was expanded to 1403 acres. The center piece for the state park is the brick Italianate plantation house built in 1854 and open to the public. The plantation was palced on the National Register in 1969 and the park was created in 1977 when the General Assembly voted to create a foundation to establish, administer, and maintain the model farm. Chippokes Plantation retains a extensive array of original plantation outbuildings, slave quarters, and farm buildings. The 28 recorded archaeological resources include a Native American Late Archaic camp, Woodland Period encampments, early 17th century dwelling sites, second half 17th century colonial farm steads, second quarter 18th century domestic structures, and 19th / 20th century farm related sites. This extensive array of archaeological resources provides both opportunities and challenges for management. Extensive interpretation is a component of park management including house tours, a Farm and Forestry Museum, and a visitor center as well as offering research opportunities of diachronic change through time. Management also retains a strong preservation element with sites avoided in impacting projects, protected from natural erosion, and policed for illegal metal detecting and/or artifact collection.
Field School
The ASV/DHR/State Parks/USDA-Forest Service passport in Time partnership began with the 2007 field school. A prehistoric site, 44SY162, which is located on a high bluff above the James, was tested due to erosional threats. The site was predicted to contain evidence for Middle Woodland occupation in the form of a hunting/gathering encampment for a mobile pre-horticultural society. In 2009, a second prehistoric site in proximity to 44SY0162 will be tested with STPs and 5.0'€™ units. Chronology and function are predicted to be similar to 44SY0162s.
The 17th century Colonial site, 44SY0253, is also of high interest. Tested in 2008, recovered artifacts include smoking pipe fragments, lead shot and sprue, English flint, and case bottle fragments along with a low frequency of period ceramics. Occupation seems to be in the ca. AD 1620 - 1640 period. Site function, then, was smoking, drinking, and shooting things, a male-oriented site. Numerous brick "crumbs" and nails may point to some temporary structure on-site. The site will be revisited in 2009.
The last site tested in 2008 was a slave quarters associated with the nearby Walnut Valley Plantation which was built in the 1740s. Dendrochronology indicated and initial building sequence in 1814. The one-room dwelling with loft is within 50 yards of the plantation and the area directly in front of the structure and was tested with 5.0' units as were 2 other areas of high artifact concentration. In addition, a series of STPs was dug between the quarters and the main plantation house in order to test for other structures. Additional test units will be excavated in 2009.
The 2008 Chippokes Field School meets the Certification requirements for excavation andsurvey. Camping for volunteer participants will be provided free for those participating for 3 days or more. A bunkhouse is also available with priority given to those who participated in those in the Certification Program. Click here to get the PDF file application.
Contacts:
Mike Barber(540 857-6341)
Department of Historic Resources
2801 Kensington Ave., Richmond 23221.
Passport In Time:
Mike Madden (540 265-5212)
George Washington & Jefferson National Forests
5162 Valleypointe Parkway
Roanoke, Virginia 24019
Certification Program:
Carole Nash (540 568-6805)
Geographic Science Program
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Bruce Baker (804 561-0420)
10290 Reed Rock Road
Amelia, VA 23002
FAIRFIELD FOUNDATION, GLOUCESTER COUNTY
Volunteers and certification students are welcome year-round to assist in the excavation of Fairfield Foundation , the 17- and 18th-century plantation of the Burwell family in Gloucester County. Volunteers are also needed year-round to complete lab work and historical research. Lab nights Tuesdays from 6 - 9 pm at the Rosewell Visitor Center. Some survey opportunities possible. Contact Thane Harpole or David Brown, Fairfield Foundation, P.O. Box 157, White Marsh, VA 23183. (804) 694-4775.
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
NORTHERN VIRGINIA
DHR NORTHERN REGIONAL OFFICE
Volunteers are accepted for a variety of activities. Willing to work with certification students. Contact Robert Jolley at 540/722-3442.
ALEXANDRIA ARCHAEOLOGY
Field school in Alexandria, May 18 - 30. Participants must enroll through George Washington University. Contact: Alexandria Archaeology Fieldschool at 202-994-6360>
Volunteers always welcome in a variety of activities both in the lab and in the field. Call Ruth Reeder, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314, 703/838-4399. Alexandria Archaeology, Contact them at Alexandria Archaeology
MOUNT VERNON
Very willing to work with certification students. Volunteers accepted year-round for both lab and field projects. Volunteers needed for historic lab work. Excavation (April - Dec.) will focus on the Upper, or Flower Garden, where evidence for 18th-century garden beds is detailing the layout of the space. Contact Curt Breckenridge, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, 703/799-6314. Mount Vernon
FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY ARCHAEOLOGY
Volunteers are accepted for both field and lab projects. Ongoing lab work occurs Tuesday evening (Cactus Hill). Prehistoric and historical field and lab opportunities are available Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. at 202-994-6360>
Contact them at Aimee Wells 703-534-3881 x407 or Mike Johnson 703-534-3881 x409
FREDERICKSBURG / RICHMOND AREA
UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON/STRATFORD HALL
Field school at Stratford Hall Plantation May 18 - June 19. Participants must enroll through UMW. Please contact Doug Sanford , University of Mary Washington College, Department of Historic Preservation, 1301 College Ave., Fredericksburg, VA 22401. 540/654-1314.
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES, RICHMOND
The Collections Section accepts certification students and volunteers to help with a variety of collections management, artifact processing, and outreach activities at DHR's Richmond office at 2801 Kensington Ave. Individual arrangements can be made to volunteer on weekdays. Contact Dee DeRoche at 804/367-2323 x. 134
DHR CAPITAL REGIONAL OFFICE (Richmond)
Volunteers are accepted year-round for a variety of activities that include artifact processing, identification, and analysis. Certification students are encouraged to participate. Long term interns or volunteers are encouraged to apply for assistance with collections management and analytical projects in the conservation lab. Please contact Chris Stevenson at 804/367-2323 x. 132
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES / GOLDEN BALL TAVERN, PETERSBURG
Volunteers are also needed for the archaeological excavation of the Golden Ball Tavern, Petersburg (June 17-July 19, 2009). Please contact Chris Stevenson at 804-367-2323 x132 for application instructions prior to the May 1 deadline.
DEPARTMENT OF HISTORIC RESOURCES / CHIPPOKES PLANTATION STATE PARK
Field school at Chippokes Plantation State Park October 25-November 1, 2009. Please contact Mike Barber 540/857-6341
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
CENTRAL VIRGINIA
MONTICELLO
Field school focused on understanding the greater Monticello plantation complex, June 1 - July 10. Free for ASV certification students willing to participate in the complete program. Volunteers needed year-round for various projects. Contact: Frasier Neiman, Monticello Archaeology, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 316, Charlottesville, VA 22902. 434/984-9812.
POPLAR FOREST
Field school at Poplar Forest June 7 - July 10. $400. for non-credit participation. Additional fee for housing. UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies 434/243-5319.
Volunteers are accepted year-round except during the field school. Field work this season will focus on an early 19th-century site thought to be part of a complex of gardens, plant nurseries, stables and slave quarters. The site, located adjacent to Jefferson's ornamental grounds, contains architectural and landscape elements along with a high density of domestic artifacts. Contact Jack Gary, Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest, P.O. Box 419, Forest, VA 24551. 434/534-8105 Poplar Forest or Poplar Forest Field School
MONTPELIER / JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY / SUNY PLATTSBURGH
Field school, May 11 - June 12 with James Madison University, and July 19 - 24 with SUNY Plattsburgh. Non-credit participation is free for those willing to enroll for at least three days.
There are eight one-week, archaeology field programs throughout the year, fee charged, lodging provided, certification students encouraged to attend. Information about the field programs: Matthew Reeves, Montpelier, P.O. Box 67, Montpelier Station, VA 22957. (540) 672-2728 x. 160.
JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY GEOGRAPHIC SCIENCE PROGRAM / SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK / WINTERGREEN NATURE FOUNDATION
Volunteers are invited to participate in the 7th season at Wintergreen Resort, Nelson County, for field survey and testing of prehistoric and historic sites, and artifact analysis during June and July 2009. Field survey will also be undertaken at a variety of sites in Shenandoah National Park from May - August. Both projects meet Certification Program requirements for field survey and laboratory. June 2009. Contact Carole Nash, JMU (540)568-6805
WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY
No current projects but interested individuals can contact contact Sean Devlin at 540-458-4635
BRENTMOOR: THE SPILMAN-MOSBY HOUSE
Three-acre historic site on Main Street in Warrenton with an ongoing archaeology program, very willing to work with certification students. Volunteers needed for lab work year round; excavations May - Oct. Kay McCarron, John Singleton Mosby Museum Foundation, P.O. Box 146, Warrenton, VA 20199; 540/351-1600.
SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA
RADFORD UNIVERSITY
Field school May 18 - June 5, focusing on "Geophysical and Archaeological Search and Recovery." The course will be taught through the Physics department. We will use ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity and more traditional archaeological survey techniques on two or three sites. Participants must contact Cliff Boyd, Dept. Sociology and Anthropology, Radford, VA 24142. 540/831-5948 Radford Univ. Anthro Dept.
DHR ROANOKE REGIONAL OFFICE
Volunteers are accepted for a variety of projects. Will work with certification participants. Contact Tom Klatka at 540/857-6047
VIRGINIA MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
Certification students and volunteers needed to work in the archaeology department cataloguing, rehousing, labeling and photographing artifact collections and working in the department library. The focus of work in the lab for 2009 will be primarily on prehistoric lithics as we process a large volume of material from the Brook Run Site. Volunteers interested in zooarchaeology can assist with ongoing research projects and learn the basics of faunal identification and analysis. Contact Elizabeth Moore at 276/666-8634 or the VMNH and follow links to the archaeology lab blog.