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.

Unless otherwise noted, all events are free and open to the public.

Note: the following event listings are organized by region.
 

• Northeast
• Southeast
• Central
• West
• Northwest
• Sponsors

Northeast

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Forks of the Delaware Chapter 14

Event: William Schindler of Temple University will give a presentation entitled “Middle Woodland Exploitation of Migratory Fish in the Delaware Valley.”
Date: Thursday, 6 October.
Time: 8 PM
Contact: Philip Perazio, Phone: 570-421-9525, Email pperaziokar@sunlink.net
Description: The migratory fish resource seems to have been an extremely valuable component of the prehistoric diet.  This presentation reports on recent research which investigated the possible technologies involved in the procurement, processing, and use of migratory fish and the corresponding social changes in the Delaware Valley during the Middle Woodland period by utilizing a combination of ethnographic, ethnohistoric, and experimental archaeological evidence.  Directions can be found at Chapter 14's web page at the Siftings web site - www.siftings.com.

Southeast

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - John Shrader Chapter 21

Event: Hay Creek Valley Historical Association’s (HCVHA) Apple Festival
Location: Joanna Furnace, Route 10 near Morgantown, Berks County
Date: Saturday, 8 October
Time: 7 AM-4 PM
Contacts: Cathy Spohn, President, Chapter 21 Phone  610-678-1274 (home) or 610-205-6711; Email cspohn@state.pa.us Charles Jacob – Phone 610-469-9530
Description: John Shrader Chapter 21 will have an information stand at HCVHA’s annual Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace.  Chapter members have been actively engaged in the archaeological investigations and restoration of Joanna Furnace over many years.  SPA members will provide information on archaeology, the role of the SPA, and the various projects Chapter 21 members    have been involved with in addition to our work at Joanna.
We will  have an exhibit of the archaeological research and field schools held at Joanna Furnace.  The current excavations at the hot blast engine area and wheelwright shop will be open for visitors to see.  Admission is free and parking is on site.

SPA Chapter 21 will also have an information stand at HCVHA’s annual Fall Festival that runs from Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11, 2005, also at Joanna Furnace.  Admission is $5 per person over age 12 on Friday and $7 per person on Saturday and Sunday.  Passes for $10 for two are available through the contacts listed above.  Besides the archaeological exhibits, there will be nineteenth century crafts, antique cars and agricultural machinery, a Civil War encampment, music and other attractions.  The funds raised go to sponsor archaeology and restoration at Joanna Furnace.

Central

The PHMC Commonwealth Archaeology Program and the City of Harrisburg

The public archaeological program at City Island in Harrisburg, that had for a number of years been a central event in Pennsylvania’s Archaeology Month, is again suspended this year. Federal and state funding shortfalls have resulted in budget cuts in the PHMC and consequent loss of field/lab staff in the CAP program, as well as loss of funds to use consultants when needed. As a result, the PHMC can afford neither the monetary expense nor the staff time necessary to successfully conduct the City Island program. However, we hope that this situation will turn around for the better over the next few years.

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology - Bald Eagle Archaeological Society

Time: Sunday September 18, 2005, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Milbrook Marsh Nature Center, on Puddintown Road, east of State College.
Event: The society will offer artifact identification, general information, and an archaeological demonstration, as part of the annual Spring Creek Day, which is hosted by the ClearWater Conservancy.

 

West

Beaver County Historical Research and Landmarks Foundation

Event: Apple Butter Day at the Vicary House with an Archaeology Display and Excavation
Location: Vicary Mansion, Feedom, Pa.
Date: October 15, 2004
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Contact: Amanda Valko, AVALKO@mbakercorp.com or Brenda Applegate, rbappleg1@comcast.net
Description: Tour the stone mansion built by Capt. William Vicary circa 1826.  Learn how apple butter is made the old fashion way over an open wood fire.  There will be archaeology displays including artifacts excavated from within the house.  Watch archaeologists uncover the buried mysteries of the Vicary House.

Northwest

Department of History/Anthropology, Edinboro University of PA

Event: Open House, Fort LeBoeuf Museum
Location: Waterford, PA
Date: Every Saturday and Sunday in October
Time: Noon to 4 PM
Contact: Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, (814) 732﷓2570 or wolynec@edinboro.edu
Description: Archaeological displays at the museum include remains from the beaver trade, WPA excavations in the late 1930s, and Eagle Hotel excavations conducted by Edinboro University Archaeological Field Studies from 1975 through 1987.  Of special local interest is a replica of the only known original of Celeron’s lead plate and a highly detailed model of an Iroquois village.  There is no admission charge.

Department of History and Anthropology, Edinboro University of PA

Event: Lecture - “The Archaeological Past in Jeopardy”
Location: Hendricks Hall 126, Main Campus, Edinboro University of PA, Edinboro, PA
Date: Wednesday, October 26
Time: 6 PM to 7:15 PM
Contact: Dr. Renata B. Wolynec, 814﷓732﷓2570   or wolynec@edinboro.edu
Description: The discussion and activities will center on videos which show the destruction of archaeological sites.  There is no admission charge.

Experience Children's Museum

Event: After school activities focusing on archaeology
Location: Experience Children's Museum, Erie, PA
Description: As part of a partnership with the Erie School District, the Experience Children's Museum will spend one week in October on activities which focus on archaeological themes.  This event is not open to the public.

Archaeology Month Sponsors

Many organizations and businesses have made financial contributions to the Archaeology Month Fund. Their assistance is gratefully acknowledged.

There are numerous websites where you can find further information about archaeology in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Archaeological Council            
Bureau for Historic Preservation
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission  / PennsylvaniaArchaeology.com
PennArchaeologyMonth.org