Celebrate Pennsylvania Archaeology Month 2011

David Orr

This USA button, dated 1777, was found in excavations at Valley Forge. Similar but undated buttons have been excavated at sites in Independence National Historical Park.

Explore Philly's Hidden Past

Celebrate Pennsylvania Archaeology Month!
History lives beneath your feet!

Meet Philadelphia archaeologists and learn about the latest historical treasures discovered in and around Philadelphia during the past year.

Saturday, October 1, 2011, 10AM–3:30PM

Place: National Constitution Center (Kirby Auditorium)
Corner of Fifth and Arch Streets, Philadelphia (See directions below)

This day-long event is free and open to all. No reservations necessary.

Sponsors:
Independence National Historical Park
Philadelphia Archaeological Forum
Host: The National Constitution Center

See Program Schedule below

archmonth11

Program Schedule

DIGGING IN AND AROUND PHILADELPHIA
10:00	Welcome
10:15	Archaeology in Philadelphia: Year in Review The President of the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum gives a whirlwind tour of projects and other notable developments in Philadelphia archaeology that have occurred over the past year. (Douglas Mooney)
10:30	The Mystic Chords of Memory: Archaeology at the African American Community of Timbuctoo This presentation highlights the continued investigation into the African American community of Timbuctoo in Burlington County, NJ. Founded in the 1820’s, the community served as a station on the Underground Railroad and continues to be inhabited by descendants. Community descendants, archaeologists, and volunteers are working together to create a more holistic representation of Timbuctoo using archaeological evidence, written records, and oral history sources. (Christopher P. Barton, Mary Weston, Guy Weston)
10:45	A “Bonus” Site At the Muhlenberg House in Trappe A new excavation on the east side of the Henry Melchior Muhlenberg House in Trappe, PA is exploring the location of a Pennsylvania-German redware kiln. The kiln operated between 1720 and about 1750 and produced utilitarian pottery — the “Dixie” cups of the era. This talk reports on the first field season which uncovered two fireboxes and provided clues to what happened to the kiln stones after pottery production ended. (Louis Farrell, Temple University and The Archaeology Club)
11:00	Indians on the Waterfront and Glass Makers at Gunner’s Run This year, archaeological research undertaken as part of I-95 road construction work explored areas of Richmond Street in the Fishtown and Port Richmond neighborhoods of the city. Among many other findings, these excavations discovered thousands of Native American artifacts from campsites dating back 3,000 years or more, and just recently uncovered well-preserved sections of the Dyottville Glass Works beneath existing city streets. (Douglas Mooney)
11:15	Uncovering the Wheelwright Shop at Joanna Furnace, Berks County For the past six years, volunteers from the John Shrader Chapter 21 of the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology have been excavating the remains of the Wheelwright Shop at Joanna Furnace. This presentation focuses on the results of the excavations and the role of students and nonprofessionals in uncovering the history of this iron-making site. (Cathy Spohn)
11:30	OLD SITES REVISTED AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES Three-Minute ‘Lightening Round’ Talks (LR#1) Archaeology — 27 Stories Up! Digital animation, 3D modeling, and the PECO Crown Lights Marquee bring the message of Pennsylvania Archaeology Month to the public. (Hannah Winograd, Mathew Haas, Mark Petrovitch, Geoff Oxholm, Glen Muschio, and Patrice L. Jeppson). Stenton (Debbie Miller) — To be Announced *Is there an Independence Park Doppelganger* Site? Several hundred buildings were demolished in the making of Independence Mall in the 1950’s. Was buried archaeological evidence carted away along with the demolition rubble? Oral history and documentary evidence suggest that some of Philadelphia’s archaeological record might be reburied along the banks of the Susquehanna River. (Patrice L. Jeppson) Entering the Holodeck Age: The future of Philadelphia's past Archaeologists may excavate the past but archaeological site interpretations make use of cutting-edge technology and futuristic digital devices in presenting research results. One example is the Microsoft Kinect motion control system which will let people experience archaeology in their own homes by virtually handling artifacts and walking through virtually recreated environments. (Mark Petrovitch Jr.) Lightening Round #1 Questions/Discussion**
Noon	Lunch Break
ARTIFACTS FOUND IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Port Richmond, Northern Liberties, Old City
1:30	Welcome
1:40	Where We Stand: The National Constitution Center Site Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow Between 2000 and 2003, archeological excavations were conducted on the site where the National Constitution Center now stands. The more than one-million artifacts recovered during the dig are shedding light on thousands of years of Philadelphia's history: from early Native American inhabitants to the residents of a long forgotten 18th and 19th century neighborhood. This presentation reviews the site’s history and the on-going research. (Jed Levin)
1:55	Three-Minute ‘Lightening Round’ Talks (LR#2) Tea Time? This talk reports on a teacup recently excavated from one of the Philadelphia riverfront neighborhoods. Though produced in England, the cup is decorated with American patriotic symbolism. The outside surface features a variation of the Great Seal of the United States on an urn. This is an example of a decorative motif designed for ceramics exported to the new American market. (Nina Shinn) Witch Balls: Beginning to End Round glass objects called witch balls were recently recovered during excavations in the Fishtown neighborhood of Philadelphia. This talk presents these unique and rather beautiful household decorations and explains their uses and meanings. (Andrew Stanzeski) That’s my house!: Chinoiserie with a Twist Archaeological evidence provides clues to how Philadelphians decorated their homes and even set their tables. This same evidence provides insights into the fashions and styles of an earlier age. Artifacts excavated from Philadelphia neighborhoods indicate that European potters and decorators were combining one popular Asian style of decoration — Chinoiserie — with Western architecture and landscape imagery. In an expanding world, this brought the popular Eastern aesthetic closer to home. (Erin Broadhurst) Lightening Round #2 Questions and Discussion
2:10	Three-Minute ‘Lightening Round’ Talks (LR#3) *The Snappers’ Wake: Late 19th-Century Philadelphia Bakery Vents* A set of decorative cast-iron bakery vents were recently found during archaeological excavations in the Port Richmond section of Philadelphia. An identical set of vents once adorned the front of Philip and Frederick Becker’s bakery at 714 New Market Street in Northern Liberties — a property which had formerly housed, from 1840-1871, the notorious and infamous Northern Liberty Hose ‘volunteer fire’ company. This talk explains how bakery vents mark important transitions in Philadelphia’s history. (Thomas Kutys) Stairway to Heaven Archaeological excavations in the Fishtown neighborhood recovered a range of decorative glass objects including a Jacob’s Ladder. Not just your average whimsey, the Jacob's Ladder whimsey combines a biblical symbol with the light-hearted pastime of whimsical glass blowing to create an unusual ornament. (Carolyn Horlacher) What do a Seamstress, a Chairmaker, a Factory Worker, and a Policeman have in common?: The Archaeology of the People of 124 & 126 Elfreth’s Alley As the oldest, continuously occupied residential street in the country, Elfreth’s Alley in Old City Philadelphia has a rich, 300 year history filled with the stories of the diverse people who lived (and live) along the narrow street. This talk reports on recent archaeological tests conducted in the back lots of two residences in an effort to better study and explore the lives of the past inhabitants. (Deirdre Kelleher) Lightening Round #3 Questions/Discussion
2:25	Urban and Un-refined: The Story of Colonoware and Buried Identity Colonoware is a type of pottery thought to be associated with Native American, African American, and other lower economic scale peoples living along the southeastern coast of North America. However, Colonoware has recently been discovered at urban archaeological sites in Philadelphia. What ethnic and social meanings might these objects hold for Philadelphia’s early residents? This talk discusses these clues to social identity that have remained buried until now. (Keri Sansevere)
2:40	DISCOVERIES IN THE HINTERLANDS: Brandywine, Marcus Hook, Berks County, Bucks County Three-Minute ‘Lightening Round’ Talks (LR #4) *"Ask and you may receive" — more than you ask for!* Recent research into an old excavation near Berks County's first building has rediscovered both lost artifacts and forgotten archaeological history. (Gene Delaplane) Time is Money: 18th Century Coins at the Marcus Hook Plank Log House Oral tradition in Marcus Hook, PA has long held that the Plank Log House was the counting house for the street market it once faced. Usually coins are rare on 18th century archaeological sites, which is why the nine coins excavated from next to the Plank House are a very exciting find. The coins found are from several countries, including Britain and Spain, and were minted in cities all over the world. ( Katherine Cavallo.) *“Bound for Cuba, Gosh Darn YER!”:* Uncle Sam marches off to war. A recent archaeological project in Bucks County has recovered a number of pins produced during the Spanish American War. The pins depict “Uncle Sam” marching with backpack and rifle. The image of Uncle Sam going off to war was a common symbol on a wide variety of war related pins and other patriotic materials produced during this 10 week conflict in 1898. (Kenneth J. Basalik) Lightening Round #4 Questions/Discussion**
2:55	Taverns and Meetinghouses — Backyard Battlefields — Discussion on Revolutionary War Battlefields in our backyards and a call for preservation From New England through the Mid-Atlantic to the Southern colonies, the American Revolutionary War was fought on land and sea. Many sites of these now famous victories and defeats have disappeared, lost to residential and commercial development. Here in the Delaware Valley communities have come together in a tireless effort to preserve the landscapes of these great struggles. In some cases only a monument remains but in others the battles are still being waged. (Kevin M Donaghy)
3:10	Ask the archaeologists — Questions and Answers about Philly Area Archaeology
3:30	Forum Ends

Directions

National Constitution Center
525 Arch Street, Independence Mall, Philadelphia, PA 19106 (215-409-6600)

Parking
Bus Facility

*Ask for a discount voucher for the NCC parking garage at the event sign-in desk.

By Car

From the South: Take I-95 North to Exit 22 for "Central Phila/I-676". Follow signs for Phila/Independence Hall/Callowhill Streets. Keep right at the fork in the ramp. Stay straight on Callowhill St. and turn left onto 8th Street. Take 8th Street to Race Street and turn left. Proceed through the light at 6th Street and turn right into the National Constitution Center parking garage.
From the North: Take I-95 South to Exit 22 for "Central Phila/I-676". Follow signs for Phila/Independence Hall/Callowhill Streets and make a right at the light at the bottom of the ramp. Stay straight on Callowhill St. and turn left onto 8th Street. Take 8th Street to Race Street and turn left. Proceed through the light at 6th Street and turn right into the National Constitution Center parking garage.
From the West: Take I-76 (PA Turnpike) to Exit 326 for "Valley Forge". Follow signs for Philadelphia I-76 East. Remain on I-76 East for about 25 miles until you see signs for Exit 344 "Central Phila" and take 676 East to the 8th Street exit. Make a right onto 8th Street and then a left onto Race Street. Proceed through the light at 6th Street and turn right into the National Constitution Center parking garage.
From the East: Take the NJ Turnpike to Exit 4. Take Rt. 73 North to Rt. 38 West to US 30 and continue on US 30 West over the Ben Franklin Bridge (Rt. 676), crossing into Philadelphia. Stay in the left lane and go straight through the light following the sign for "8th Street South/Chinatown". Take a left onto 8th Street, and another left onto Race Street. Proceed through the light at 6th Street and turn right into the National Constitution Center parking garage.

By Public Transportation

SEPTA offers a variety of options including subway, trolley and bus service throughout the city and area. The Market-Frankford subway line stops one block from the Center at 5th and Market Streets. Multiple bus routes run along Market Street as well. For additional information call the SEPTA Travel Information Center at (215) 580-7800 or visit www.septa.org.
PATCO Speedline is a quick way to travel from South Jersey into Center City Philadelphia. PATCO has 4 Center City stops, the closest being at 8th and Market Streets. For more information call (856) 772-6900 or visit www.drpa.org/patco.

By Train

Amtrak provides service to Philadelphia's 30th Street Station at 30th and Market Streets. Save 20% off the best available rail fare on Amtrak travel to Philadelphia between June 27 and September 17, 2003. Blackouts: July 3-7, August 29-September 3, 2003. Request discount code V707 when you book online at www.amtrak.com or 800-USA-RAIL. This discount is valid for travel in the Northeast Corridor on unreserved Regional trains. Travel on reserved Regional Trains, Acela Express, and Metroliners is prohibited. Other restrictions may apply.

For any additional directions, or for maps of the Philadelphia region, please visit gophila.com.