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.

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2008 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 EDUCATION
Six-week field school at Jamestown, June 2 - July 11. 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. Tonia Deetz Rock , APVA , 1365 Colonial Parkway, Jamestown, VA 23081, 757/229-0412.

COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG / WILLIAM & MARY
Two sessions of field school, May 27 - June 27 and June 30 - August 1. Participants must register for the program through William and Mary. Contacts: Marley Brown, Andrew Edwards, or Meredith Poole, Department of Archaeological Research, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, P.O. Box C, Williamsburg, VA 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. While this proved true, there was also evidence for an Early Woodland occupation. This overlap is important in any understanding of the evolution from the more moblie Early Woodland populations to those (MW) seemingly more prone to shellfish harvesting and anadromous fish runs. During the 2008 field school, excavations will continue at 44SY162. A series of 5’ square units will be used to further investigate the Early and Middle Woodland occupations building on the STPs and 3 units excavated in 2007. In addition, study will begin in the form of an STP regime at a second nearby prehistoric site 44SY163. 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 particiapted in 2007. 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 Thursdays 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

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 was discovered in 2006. Contact Curt Breckenridge, Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, Mount Vernon, VA 22121, 703/799-6314. Mount Vernon

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 19 - 31. Participants must enroll through George Washington University. Call GW Summer Sessions at 202/994-6360, or go to: Alexandria Archaeology Fieldschool or Alexandria Archaeology Fieldschool

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

FREDERICKSBURG / RICHMOND AREA

Archeological Society of Virginia
Field school, May 10 - 18, at Kittiewan Plantation, Charles City Co. Hours satisfy field school, excavation and lab requirements. Participants must be ASV members. Reservation deadline May 2.

Contact Patrick O'Neill Kittiewan Field School

FERRY FARM / KENMORE / UNIVERSITY SOUTH FLORIDA
Volunteers and certification students are welcome for both excavation at the Washington Family plantation and lab work year-round with survey opportunities available. There is no charge for non-credit participation during the field school May 27 - July 3, 2008.

Contact Dave Muraca at: 540/372-0732, Kenmore, 1201 Washington Ave., Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Kenmore Field School

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 on the second and fourth Fridays and Saturdays through May. Individual arrangements can be made for other days during spring and summer. Contact Dee DeRoche at 804/367-2323 x. 134

UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON
Please contact Doug Sanford , University of Mary Washington College, Department of Historic Preservation, 1301 College Ave., Fredericksburg, VA 22401. 540/654-1314.

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 / CRI / GEORGE WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST / ASV / STAFFORD COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS / USDA FOREST SERVICE PASSPORT IN TIME
Field school, March 31 - April 13, in advance of school construction at the site of a Civil War, Union Army winter encampment, 1862/63. The work will satisfy certification program requirements. Participants must be Passport In Time members and the minimum age is 12 (accompanied by an adult). Please contact Mike Barber 540/857-6341 Stafford Field School

CENTRAL VIRGINIA

POPLAR FOREST
Field school at Poplar Forest June 1 - July 4. $400 for non-credit participation. Additional fee for housing. Contact UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies 434/243-5319.

Volunteers are accepted year-round except during the field schools. Field work this season will focus on an early 19th-century site containing architectural and landscape elements and a high density of domestic artifacts located adjacent to JeffersonÕs ornamental grounds. Contact Jack Gary, Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest Field School, P.O. Box 419, Forest, VA 24551. 434/534-8105 Sponsored by Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest.

MONTICELLO
Field school focused on understanding the greater Monticello plantation complex, June 2 - July 11. Free for ASV certification students willing to participate in the complete program. Volunteers needed year-round for various projects. Frasier Neiman, Monticello Archaeology, Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 316, Charlottesville, VA 22902. 434/984-9812.

MONTPELIER / JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY / SUNY POTSDAM
Field school, May 12 - June 12 with James Madison University, and July 1 - 25 with SUNY Potsdam. Non-credit participation is free for those willing to enroll for at least three days.

One-week, work / study programs occur throughout the year, fee charged, lodging provided, certification students encouraged to attend.

Earthwatch excavations throughout the year. These 2-week sessions include housing and food, participants must register with Earthwatch.

Information about the work / study and Earthwatch programs:

Volunteers are welcome at Montpelier year round for both field and lab work Contact 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 6th season at Wintergreen Resort, Nelson County, for field survey and testing of prehistoric and historic sites, and artifact analysis. Meets Certification Program requirements for field survey and laboratory. June 2008. Contact Carole Nash, JMU (540)568-6805

WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY
ASV Certification students can work in the laboratory with historic artifacts from 19th-c. valley kiln sites, late 18th-c. Liberty Hall Campus, and 19th-c. Longdale Iron Mining Community. Hours 10 - 2, Wednesdays in Fall, Winter, and Summer months. Participants below the age of 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Must make an appointment in advance. Contact Laura Galke at 540-458-8574

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 July 2 - 27, the first two weeks mapping an African American cemetery in Radford with the second half working at Keyser Farm. Non-credit volunteers are encouraged, especially for the mapping portion. Participants must contact Cliff Boyd, Dept. Sociology and Anthropology, Radford, VA 24142. 540/831-594 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. 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

NORTH CAROLINA

Passport in Time Passport in Time program focusing on labwork, analysis and curation, dates to be announced. In October there will be a Passport in Time program on Croatan, specific dates to be announced. Please contact Joel Hardison at 910/576-6391 (ext. 109). Click on: Passport In Time