Archaeology Month is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, the Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology, Inc., and the Pennsylvania Archaeological Council. Its purpose is to increase awareness of the important historic and prehistoric archaeological sites in the Commonwealth. These sites are part of the heritage of all Pennsylvanians. Everyday, archaeological sites are destroyed. We hope that through the Archaeology Month events, more Pennsylvanians become aware of this part of our history and work to protect our endangered resources.

Note: the following event listings are organized by region.
 
 

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Frances Dorrance Chapter 11
Event:  Excavations at The Conrail Site, 36Lu169, Coxton Rail Yards - Duryea, PA.
Date:   Every Sunday until December, except certain holidays.
Time:   10 AM to 4 PM - call ahead.
Contact:   Dawn Griffiths at 570-829-0152 or Audrey Collier 570-457-4377.  See our web page, Frances Dorrance Chapter 11.
Description:   The Conrail Site is a Multi-Component prehistoric site dating from approx 340 AD to 8990 BP. Hundreds of features and diagnostic projectiles recovered. Open to the public as well as groups - students, scouts, special interest. Directions available by calling either contact person.  Credit field school course available though Wilkes University 570-408-5000 ask for  Mr. Henry Stueben-Continuing Education Department.
 

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Forks of the Delaware Chapter 14
Event:  Chapter Monthly Meeting.
Date:   Thursday, 5 October.
Time:   7:30 PM
Contact:   Philip Perazio, Phone: 570-402-7330, Email: kittarch@sunlink.net.
Description:   Program of archaeological interest. Details and directions can be found at Chapter 14's web page at the Siftings web site  - Forks of the Delaware Chapter 14.

Event:  A trip to the City Island excavation in Harrisburg will be organized.
Date:   Saturday, 30 September.
Time:   All day. Departure time 8:30 AM.
Contact:   Philip Perazio, Phone: 570-402-7330, Email: kittarch@sunlink.net.
Description:    A trip by rented van and/or carpool will be organized to visit the Archaeology Month excavations at City Island (see PHMC announcement, below). Assembly point will be the Palmer Township Municipal Complex (see Chapter 14's web page for directions).
 

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Schuylkill Valley Chapter 21
Event:  Information stand at the Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace.
Date:   Saturday, 14 October.
Contact:   Dr. Catherine Spohn at (610) 678-1274 or Charles Jacob at (610) 469-9530.
Description:   Schuylkill Valley Chapter 21 will have an information stand at the Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace along Route 10 near Morgantown, Berks County, Pennsylvania.  The festival is sponsored by the Hay Creek Valley Historical Association.  Chapter members will provide information to visitors on archaeology, the role of the SPA, and the various projects Chapter 21 
members have been involved with.  There will also be an exhibit of archaeological investigations over the years at Joanna Furnace, and the current excavations in the hot blast engine area will be open for visitors to see.  Admission is free.

Event:  Artifact Laboratory with Keith Doms of the University of Delaware.
Date:   Saturday, 21 October.
Contact:   Park Superintendent Tom Waters, Phone (610) 383-3812.
Description:   Hibernia County Park will sponsor an artifact laboratory with Keith Doms of the University of Delaware.  Keith will help identify and classify artifacts uncovered in the Park, which contains the remains of an iron furnace as well as workers' housing and two mansions.  The park is located on Cedar Knoll Road in West Caln Township, Chester County.
 
 

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Conejohela Chapter 28, SPA, Inc.
Event:  Petrogylph Day.
Date:   Saturday, 14 October.
Contact:   Paul Nevin, Phone 717-252-4177 or Email  - Susquekal@aol.com.
Description:   Come and see the wonders of the Susquehanna River. There will be a tour to 
the Petroglyphs which are located below the Safe Harbor Dam.

Event:  Susquehannock Day.
Date:   Saturday, 21 October.
Contact:    James Allen, Phone 717 -285-0355 or Email conejohela@aol.com
Description:   Come out and enjoy a hay ride through the majestic land of the Susquehannocks.  Learn about the many places of Washington Boro that date back to 1550 to 10,000 years ago.

Event:  Chapter Monthly Meeting.
Date:   Sunday, 22 October.
Time:   1:00 PM.
Contact:    James Allen, Phone 717 -285-0355 or Email  conejohela@aol.com.
Description:   All are invited to CONEJOHELA Chapter 28's monthly Chapter Meeting.  Located at the East Prospect Fire Hall in Wrightsville, PA

Event:  Pottery and Pipe Restoration Day.
Date:   Saturday, 28 October.
Contact:   Reynold Schenke, Phone 717 - 768-7208.
Description:   Come out and learn how to restore a pottery vessel or pipe.  Sign up classes are forming up already.  For up to date information check out our Chapter Web Site which can be found at, Conehohela Chapter 28.
 
 

The PHMC Commonwealth Archaeology Program and the City of Harrisburg
Event:  Archaeology Month on City Island 2000
Date:   Friday, 22 September through Friday, 6 October.
Time:   9:00AM to 4:00 PM daily.
Contact:    See below.
Description:   Come join us for the Mid-State's annual celebration of the buried past on City Island, in downtown Harrisburg.  This year's program will be open to the public from Friday, September the 22nd through Friday, October the 6th, from 9:00AM to 4:00 PM daily.  Some evening hours and some special events are anticipated for 2000.  Excavations will continue in the 1999 excavation block, where we expect to find ample evidence of Native American occupations, and our experimental archaeology section will feature the construction of a Native American dwelling, an exhibition of cooking and food preparation, flint knapping, an authentic Native garden, and a wide 
variety of other activities. The project welcomes casual visitors, and formal tours for school groups can be arranged.  Much of our work is done by volunteers! If you're interested in volunteering, visiting the site, or arranging a school tour, please provide us with your name, address, phone, and email, and mail it to us at PHMC/BHP,  PO Box 1026, Harrisburg, Pa, 17108-1026. We will mail out information for the 2000 program in mid-summer.  See you on the Island!!
 
 

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Somerset Chapter 20.
Event:  Mountain Craft Days, Somerset Historical Center.
Date:   Friday - Sunday, 8-10 September.
Contact:    Brian L. Fritz,  Phone  814-893-5179 or email bfritz@shol.com.
Description:   Our chapter will man a booth which will display artifacts and literature about archaeology.  Members will demonstrate flint knapping and the making of atlatl darts.
 

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Ohio Valley Chapter 22.
Event:  Butler County Heritage Day Festival, Butler, PA.
Date:   Saturday, 9 September.
Contact:    Ginger Dlutowski, Phone  724-482-2105 
Description:   Chapter members will be excavating at the Shaw House near the Court House.  Dutch Wiley will do a flint knapping demonstration, while other chapter members talk about chapter activities. Information on the Junior Archaeologist Program, sponsored by the Butler County Historical Society, and chaired by Chapter 22 President, Edmund Dlutowski, will be available.

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Westmoreland Chapter 23
Event:  Day-long Seminar  "The Archaeology of the Contact Period".
Date:   Saturday, 14 October
Contact:   Greensburg Garden and Civic Center 724-836-1800 or Judy Duritsa at 724-836-0895, email andross@bellatlantic.net.
 

Carnegie Museum of Natural History - Pittsburgh, PA
Event:  "Archaeology Detectives"
Date:   Sunday, 22 October
Time:   1:15 to 2:45 p.m.
Contact:   To register or to find out additional information call (412) 622-3288
Description:   Using a pretend village, you'll look for clues to discover how the Monongahela people lived long ago in western Pennsylvania.  You'll search out the types of homes, food, tools, clothes, and jewelry these people used. Fee: Members: $12; Nonmembers: $14.

Edinboro University of PA
Event:  Open House - excavations at the Yellow House, Battles Farmstead Museum.
Date:   Every Tuesday and Thursday in October
Time:    9:45 - 11:45 am.
Contact:   Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, Project Director - (814) 732-2573 or (814) 454-1813.
Description:   Open House (weather permitting), excavations at the Yellow House, Battles Farmstead Museum, Girard, PA. Sponsored by the Edinboro University of PA Archaeological Field Studies Program and the Erie County Historical Society.

Event:  Open House, Fort LeBoeuf Museum.
Date:   Every Saturday and Sunday in October.
Time:   Noon - 4:00 p.m.
Contact:        (814) 732-2573.
Description:   Open House,, Fort LeBoeuf Museum, Waterford, PA., a project of the Department of Sociology/ Anthropology, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA. On display are archaeological remains discovered during WPA excavations in the late 1930's and Eagle Hotel excavations conducted by Edinboro University Archaeological Field Studies from 1975 through 1987. There is no admission charge.

Event:  "Studying the Past from Human Mortuary Behavior", lecture by Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, Edinboro University of PA
Date:   Wednesday, 4 October
Time:   3:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Contact:   (814) 732-2573.
Location: Hendricks Hall 126, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA.

Event:  "The Archaeological Past in Jeopardy", lecture by Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, Edinboro University of PA.
Date:   Tuesday, 24 October.
Time:    5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Contact:   (814) 732-2573.
Location: Hendricks Hall 126, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA.
 
 

Sawmill Center for the Arts, Cook Forest State Park
Event:  "Join the 'Spirit' of Logger, Jack Hains," portrayed by Richard Pawling
Date:   Saturday, October 7
Time:   8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Contact:   (814) 927-6655
Location: Sawmill Center for the Arts.  Cook Forest State Park, Cooksburg, PA.  Located about 17 miles north of Brookville on RT 36 off exit 13 on I-80. 
Description:   Join the 'spirit' of logger, Jack Hains, portrayed by Richard Pawling at the Sawmill Theater, as he sings the songs of the lumber camp, tells of his logging days in the mid-to-late 1800's and talks of log slides, splash dams, the 'lumberman's shave', Barnharts, Shays, and Heislers.  Learn of the products of the forests that were fueling and supporting the building, railroad, mining, tanning, and iron industries - as well as the different jobs in the lumber camps, the
tools of the trade, and the early logger's undaunted belief in the 'natural law of succession' of the forest.  To reserve a seat call the Sawmill Center for the Arts at (814)927-6655.  A $5 donation is suggested.

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