DHR

King William Dig Day
2024-10-24 10:00 - 16:00 UTC | King William Courthouse, 227 Horse Landing Road, King William, VA, 23086, United States
The public is welcome to join us in our excavations at the historic King William Courthouse, where we uncover the remains of a tavern. These excavations occur every second and fourth Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"The Lands Whereon I Now Live:" A Summary of the Findings from the Archaeological Data Recovery at Barnesfield Plantation
2024-10-22 12:00 - 14:00 | Virtual
Archaeologists Lauren Gryctko and Kaitlin LaGrasta will virtually present on the complex archaeological investigations which were conducted as part of the Johnson, Mirmiran, and Thompson/Parsons Brinkerhoff Joint Venture (JMT/PB JV) project in advance of the construction of the Governor Harry W. Nice Memorial/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge Replacement Project. The presentation will focus on the archaeological data recovery at Barnesfield Plantation (Archaeological Site 44KG0171) in Dahlgren, King George County, Virginia. Site 44KG0171 is comprised of a Woodland shell midden and an eighteenth to nineteenth century plantation house and associated outbuildings. The archaeological data recovery explored the following themes: Architecture, Socio-Political Status, Subsistence, Civil War, and Woodland Shell Midden. As over 60,000 artifacts were recovered and analyzed for this project, this presentation will highlight objects that yield important information about 44KG0171, including pre-contact pottery, lithics, historic ceramics, personal items, military objects, archaeobotanical remains, and faunal remains. Overall, this presentation will analyze pre-contact and eighteenth- and nineteenth-century lifeways apparent at archaeological site 44KG0171 to interpret the site within the general pre-contact and historic context of the region.

Slip Into the Past
2024-10-19 11:00 - 15:00 | Alexandria Archaeology, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
Experiment with 19th-century pottery slip designs, like marbling and dendritic patterns, and apply your own temporary tattoo in the style of transfer printed ceramic. While supplies last. This event coincides with the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Art Safari event happening throughout the building.

Friday Field Days with Poplar Forest Archaeology
2024-10-18 13:30 - 15:30, 2024-10-11 13:30 - 15:30, 2024-10-04 13:30 - 15:30, 2024-09-27 13:30 - 15:30 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 1776 Poplar Forest Pkwy, Lynchburg, VA
Join Poplar Forest’s Department of Archaeology and Landscapes every Friday at 1:30 PM through November 22 for an in-depth look into their current excavations and what they are learning about the people who lived in and around the 1857 Slave Dwelling. While the 1857 Slave Dwelling was built after Jefferson’s lifetime, it is historically important as it is the only original dwelling built for enslaved people still standing on the property. As part of the 1857 Slave Dwelling Restoration Project’s efforts to stabilize, research, and restore this structure with the community, we invite you to visit our archaeologists to see what they are finding and learning about the people who lived here.
Friday Field Days are included with regular admission which includes either a docent-guided or self-guided tour of Jefferson’s retreat home, access to exhibits in the lower level and wing of offices of the villa retreat, and outdoor exhibits throughout the property.

Behind the Scenes Tour -- Archaeology at Germanna
2024-10-18 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-11 10:00 - 11:00, 2024-10-04 10:00 - 11:00 | Historic Germanna, 2062 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove, VA, 22508
Join Archaeology Staff for a personalized tour of the active Germanna Sites (the Enchanted Castle, Gordon Farm, and Courthouse Sites). Chance to see the sites, get updates, and ask questions of the archaeologists.
Schedule your tour at https://germanna.org/

Lab Nights at the CAPE
2024-10-15 18:00 - 21:00 | The CAPE, 6783 Main St., Gloucester, VA, 23061
Want to learn what an archaeologist does when they’re not digging? Feel free to join us to clean and process our current excavations’ artifacts!

Archaeology Behind the Scenes Tours
2024-10-12 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-12 11:00 - 12:00, 2024-10-11 14:00 - 15:00, 2024-10-11 11:00 - 12:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 1776 Poplar Forest Pkwy, Lynchburg, VA
An amateur archaeologist known to have studied Native American material culture, Thomas Jefferson would surely be fascinated by the more than 300,000 artifacts found on the Poplar Forest grounds since 1986. Join Poplar Forest’s archaeologists for a walking tour focused on the latest archaeological dig sites and discoveries on the plantation, including a rare up-close look at some of the artifacts in the Poplar Forest Archaeology Lab. Admission is $30; reservations are encouraged as spots on the tour are limited.

Monticello Archaeology Open House
2024-10-12 10:00 - 16:00 | Monticello, 931 Thomas Jefferson Pkwy, Charlottesville, VA, 22902
Join us as Monticello’s Archaeology Department hosts its annual open house, featuring displays, exhibits on recent discoveries in the field and the lab, engaging activities for all ages, and walking tours of the vanished Monticello Plantation landscape. Archaeology staff members will be on hand to answer questions. Displays and exhibits are found in the Visitors’ Center courtyard outside of the Café.
Visitors can also take a ticketed walking tour with one of our archaeologists. This year’s tour will visit Site 30, an archaeological dig that is revealing important information about enslaved agricultural laborers at Monticello as well as the precolonial activities of Indigenous communities on this landscape.
Displays and activities in the visitor center courtyard and galleries are free to anyone in attendance. To join a walking tour and explore the mountaintop, ticket purchase is required. Visit our Archaeology Walk and House Tours page for more information: https://bit.ly/3OLggn4. Tours leave from the Bronze Plantation Model in the Visitors Center at 11 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm.

Arc-tober Fest
2024-10-12 10:00 - 14:00 | Sully Historic Site, 3650 Historic Sully Way, Chantilly, VA, 22151, United States
Mark your calendars for a celebration of history, discovery and hands-on learning at this year’s Arc-tober Fest, held at the Sully Historic Site on Saturday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free, family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to dive into the fascinating world of archaeology and learn about the incredible archaeological resources found throughout Fairfax County.
Arc-tober Fest visitors will engage in an array of interactive, hands-on activities guided by expert archaeologists. Here’s what you can expect:
Learn how to handle artifacts. Discover the do’s and don’ts when encountering historical objects in nature. Explore Fairfax County’s rich past and learn about the diverse history hidden beneath the soil in our local parks.
Meet the archaeologists who are digging into Northern Virginia’s past and hear their stories. See the latest archaeological tools and technology in action.
Learn about career opportunities in the field. Whether you’re a history buff, a student interested in archaeology or just someone curious about the past, this event is a great way to dig deep into the fascinating history of Fairfax County.

The Discovery of and Excavations at Eyreville. A 17th century Plantation Site on Virginia’s Eastern Shore
2024-10-10 18:00 - 20:00 | University of Richmond Department of Classical Studies, Jepson Hall, Room 109, 221 Richmond Way, Richmond, VA, 23173, United States
Lecture given by Michael Clem (Virginia Department of Historic Resources) in celebration of Virginia Archaeology Month and International Archaeology Day. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Richmond Society of the Archaeological Institute of America and the University of Richmond Department of Classical Studies.

Pop-Up Archaeology at the "Buried Ships of Robinson Landing" Exhibit
2024-10-04 16:30 - 19:00 | Alexandria Archaeology – Robinson Landing, 7 Pioneer Mill Way, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
Step inside the temporary Buried Ships of Robinson Landing windowfront exhibit for a special chance to see scale models of three 18th century vessel remnants excavated in 2018 on the same block. Talk with archaeologists and learn how these ships were used to create new land along the waterfront. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.alexandriava.gov/archaeology/archaeology-on-the-waterfront.

Behind-the-Scenes Walking Tours with Historic Germanna Archaeology
2023-10-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-10-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Historic Germanna, 2062 Germanna Highway, Locust Grove, VA, 22508
In celebration of Archaeology Month, Historic Germanna’s Archaeology team will host special behind-the-scenes walking tours on each Friday morning in October of Germanna’s archaeological dig sites located in Orange County, Virginia.The dig sites feature the ruins of the “Enchanted Castle” – home of Virginia’s Colonial Lt. Governor, Alexander Spotswood – as well as the potential sites of the 1714 Fort Germanna, which were constructed by the first German immigrants to Virginia, and the original Spotsylvania Courthouse. See and hear the latest findings including, uncovering the herringbone walkway of the Enchanted Castle. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience history in the making as the Germanna archaeological dig sites are not normally open to the public.Join the archaeological team for these exclusive walks each Friday in October at 10:00am. Event dates include: October 6, 13, 20, and 27.Learn more and RSVP at Germanna.orgAttendees should meet the archaeology team at the Historic Germanna Visitor Center at 10:00AM to follow the archaeologists to the dig site nearby. The Historic Germanna Visitor Center is located at: 2062 Germanna Highway Locust Grove, VA 22508. Guests are requested to dress for the weather and wear close-toed shoes. Event rain or shine unless severe weather.

Friday Field Days
2023-10-27 13:00 - 15:00, 2023-10-20 16:00 - 18:00 | Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest, 1776 Poplar Forest Pkwy, Lynchburg, VA
The 1857 Slave Dwelling Restoration project is a community-engaged effort in collaboration with Poplar Forest’s African American Advisory Group to begin restoring a two-story brick building originally inhabited by enslaved and free African American residents of Poplar Forest plantation. Visit during September and October to learn about current archaeological work each Friday at 1 p.m.
Every Friday at 1 p.m. from Sept. 8- Oct. 27

Science Underground at Burke Library
2023-10-25 18:30 - 19:30 | Burke Library, 4701 Seminary Rd, Alexandria, VA, 22304
How do archaeologists study the past? Sort and identify artifacts. Recommended ages 4 – 7. Free, but limited to 20 participants.

Slip Into the Past at Art Safari
2023-10-21 15:00 - 19:00 | Alexandria Archaeology, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314
Experiment with 19th-century ceramic slip designs, like marbling and dendritic patterns, and apply your own temporary tattoo in the style of transfer printed porcelain, while supplies last.

New London Day
2023-10-21 14:00 - 19:00 | New London Museum, 672 Alum Springs Road, Forest, VA, 24551
Don’t miss New London Day 2023! Archaeology at Mead’s Tavern (1763) will be a feature.

Tour historic buildings with guides dressed in period clothing.
Catch up on the latest developments in the restoration of Mead’s Tavern and learn what we’ve discovered through archaeology and research.
Explore the historic African American Church.
Experience life in the Revolutionary War with our reenactors.
Witness 18th-century the handcrafting of the 18th century and learn about the remedies of a 19th-century doctor.
See and touch some of the equipment and small arms used in the World Wars.
Watch the children experience hands-on history and enjoy the petting zoo.
Enjoy a variety of music and new options for food.

All events are free of charge. Donations are welcome.Sponsored jointly by Friends of New London and the History Department at Liberty University.

Fairfield Fridays
2023-10-20 13:00 - 19:00 | Fairfield, 5777 Fairfield Lane, Hayes, VA, 23072
Come visit the Fairfield Archaeology Park! We will host tours at the structure where you can learn about a colonial site! Occasionally, we will have excavations during these Fridays, but predominantly guided or self-guided tours around the structure and the natural trail.

Lab Nights with Fairfield
2023-10-17 21:00 - 2023-10-18 00:00 | The CAPE, 6783 Main St., Gloucester, VA, 23061
The public is welcome to join us on lab nights at the CAPE. Lab activities cater to all ages, ranging from cleaning the artifacts, processing cleaned artifacts, and occasionally mending pottery! These are at the Center of Archaeology, Preservation, and Education (CAPE) in Gloucester, VA.

Sandusky Archaeology Laboratory Open House
2023-10-17 17:00 - 21:00 | Historic Sandusky, 757 Sandusky Drive, Lynchburg, VA, 24502
Historic Sandusky presents Virginia Archaeology Month Laboratory Open House. Our laboratory and museum are open for free to the public for Virginia Archaeology Month. Come interact with artifacts from local Virginia sites dating to the 18th & 19th centuries, and meet and mingle with our laboratory staff. The event runs from 1:00 – 5:00 PM and is entrance is free. Tours of the main house will also be available at regular cost.

The Surprise That Shouldn't Be: Archaeological Evidence of a Slave Occupation at the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace in Staunton
2023-10-16 22:00 - 23:30 | WWPL Archive & Research Center, 235 East Beverley Street, Staunton, VA, 24401, United States
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum is inviting the public to attend a presentation by Dr. Dennis Blanton, who will be discussing the work of students and researchers from the James Madison University (JMU) archaeology field school, which took place at the museum over the summer. An archaeological exploration of the rear yard of the Presbyterian manse at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library has revealed far more about the human history of the property, and of Staunton, than was anticipated. Powerful evidence of a slave-related occupation has been recovered in a portion of the property. The findings will provide rare archaeological perspective on the lives of enslaved persons in the Shenandoah Valley. Together with other evidence that reflects aspects of the lives of the ministers’ families who lived in The Manse, a more holistic interpretation of the property becomes possible.
Dr. Dennis Blanton
Associate Professor of Anthropology at JMU
For questions or more information, please contact Karen Dodson at kdodson@woodrowwilson.org, or call 540-885-0897 ext. 113.
