PennsylvaniaArchaeology.com

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

Northcentral

Southeast

Central

Southwest

Northeast

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – Frances Dorrance Chapter 11

"River Bend Park Clean-up Project" - A Susquehanna River location between the Cross Valley Bridge and Pierce Street Bridge, Kingston, Pa. Numerous and varied volunteer groups such as River Watch and Frances Dorrance Chapter 11 members are involved. Work is on-going and expected to run through October.

"Walk Way Through Our Past"- River Front Park, Pittston, Pa. Outdoor demonstrations and displays to be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 4, 2008. The public is encouraged to visit and learn more of the history and activity associated with this Susquehanna River Area. The local Frances Dorrance Archaeology Chapter 11 - SPA will be featured amongst others with display material.

"Open House and Picnic at Research Site 36LU169" - Coxton Rail Yards, Duryea, Pa. Frances Dorrance Archaeology Chapter 11 - SPA invites community groups and the general public to visit on October 19, 2008 between 10 a.m.and 3:30 p.m. Contact Ted Baird, baird@verizon.net or Edythe L. Gozdiskowski, elgozdiskowski@ yahoo.com for up-date information on current road situations. Other visitation dates are available by appointment. The site is worked Sundays by volunteers and chapter members. Note same time as above applies.

Frances Dorrance, Chapter 11: monthly public meeting at Duryea Municipal Building, Duryea, Pa. Time: The last Tuesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

"Everhart Fall Community Day" - Everhart Museum, Scranton, Pa. Date: November 9, 2008 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. All activity and special displays will be held inside in connection based on the up-coming museum exhibit OF "TOOLS IN MOTION" and the re-opening of the "ROCKS ROOM". The Frances Dorrance Archaeology Chapter 11- SPA will be exhibiting.

Northcentral

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – Northcentral Chapter 8, Lycoming County

Event: Archaeology Day at Muncy Heritage Park
Date & Time: Saturday, 11 October, 9 AM to 1 PM
Location: Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail, 600 block of Pepper Street, Muncy, PA. www.PennArchaeology.com and www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org
Contact: Robin Van Auken, Phone: 570-916-0026, E-mail: RobinVanAuken@gmail.com

Description: Celebrate Archaeology Month and participate in a real archaeology dig at the Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 11, 2008. Since 2005, thousands of visitors and volunteers have helped to investigate history and identify and preserve the natural resources at the 11-acre park. The upcoming event will include demonstrations by Lycoming College archaeology students and guided tours of the historical site. The first 100 children will receive “Hands-On Archaeology Kits,” which contain brochures, an artifact identification chart, a magnifying glass and a toy canal boat. Archaeology is a hands-on way to introduce individuals and families, including children, to history and the importance of preservation. Artifacts recovered are used for research and in exhibits developed by Muncy Historical Society's Museum of History. Lycoming College has used its archaeology site as a field school and Penn College of Technology's students have learned hands-on lessons in forestry management. Other students from a variety of schools, colleges and universities have worked at the park on independent research projects.

Northcentral Chapter 8 Meeting -- Tues. Oct. 14, 7:00 pm
Location: Lycoming County Historical Society, 858 W. Fourth St., Williamsport, PA.
Guest Speaker: David Kagan, local historian and author, is the featured speaker and will discuss his book, “Pine Creek Villages” (Arcadia, July 2008). More information about the local chapter, Northcentral 8, also is available online at www.PennArchaeology.com, or by contacting Robin Van Auken, RobinVanAuken@gmail.com, 570-916-0026.

Southeast

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – John Shrader Chatper 21

Exhibit at Apple Festival at Joanna Furnace, Berks County
Saturday, October 11, 2008

Chapter 21 will have an exhibit at the Apple Festival held at Joanna Furnace in Berks County. The exhibit will include artifacts from our 25 years of work at the Furnace, plus
demonstrations and artifacts from the collections of several members. Weather permitting, Chapter members will be digging at the Wheelwright Shop, the site of our current efforts at Joanna. We have tours of the historic buildings, including the newly restored office-store. There will also be children's activities, a flea market and all kinds of apple-related foods, including a wonderful apple pancake breakfast that starts at 7 AM. Other activities start at 9 AM and go until 3 PM. Parking is on site, and admission is free, although we do ask for entry donations. For information, contact Cathy Spohn at (610) 678-1274, or at cspohn@state.pa.us.

Explore Philadelphia's Hidden Past 2008: An Archaeology Month Celebration Saturday, October 11, 2008, 10 AM to 5 PM

Location: Independence Living History Center Archaeology Laboratory in Independence National Historical Park, Third Street between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia

Chapter 21 has been invited to have a table with displays and information at this yearly Archaeology Month event in Philadelphia, jointly sponsored by the Philadelphia Archaeological Forum and Independence National Historical Park. The event features illustrated talks, exhibits, films, tours, and interactive programs for children. It is free and open to the public. Members of Chapter 21 will also have an information booth at Independence Hall National Park at other Saturdays during Archaeology month.

Philadelphia Archaeological Forum and Independence National Historical Park

Explore Philadelphia's Hidden Past: An Archaeology Month Celebration, 2008.

Discover secrets of Philadelphia's past that lie hidden under our feet.
Hear fascinating stories about the archaeology in and around Philadelphia.
Visit a working archaeology lab.
Sponsored by the

Free Event. For ages 8-88.
Where: Living History Center, Independence National Historical Park, Third Street, between Chestnut and Walnut Streets, Philadelphia.

Telephone: 215 861-4956.
When: October 11th, 2008; 10 AM -- 5 PM
For more information go to: http://phillyarchaeology.org

Central

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – Cumberland Valley Chapter #27

A month long artifact display at the Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library in Greencastle, PA.

Artifact display at Tayamentasachta, A Center for Environmental Studies in Greencastle, PA during their Apple Festival on Saturday, October 11.

Ongoing excavation at the Ebbert Spring site in Greencastle, PA.

Dr. Marshall Becker will give a slide-illustrated lecture entitled "The Indians of Pennsylvania" with the focus being on the Lenape's adaptation to change on Tuesday, October 14, at 7 p.m. at Renfrew Museum and Park in Waynesboro, PA. Dr. Becker is Professor Emeritus of Anthropology at West Chester University and has spent 40 years researching the Lenape. He comes to us through the Commonwealth Speakers Program that is supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission as well as the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – North Central Chapter #8

Celebrate 2008 Archaeology Month at Muncy Heritage Park

October is Pennsylvania Archaeology Month and several events are scheduled statewide in celebration. Muncy Historical Society and Northcentral Chapter 8, Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology will host an Archaeology Day Open House from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008, at the Muncy Heritage Park and Nature Trail on Pepper Street along the West Branch of the Susquehanna River. In the event of inclement weather, the Open House will be relocated to the archaeology workshop and boat building facility in the 200 block of Pepper Street.

Tours of the historic West Branch Canal, the archaeology excavation and the site of the Last Raft Crash are highlights of the event. The master site plan for the park will be discussed and samples of the park's interpretive panels will be on display. Hot dogs and beverages will be available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The first 50 children will receive complimentary "History Kits" to interest them in local history and archaeology, and to promote the cultural heritage of communities along the Susquehanna.

The Muncy Historical Society excavation, now in its fourth year, collaborates with Lycoming College, serving as an academic field school, and with the Pennsylvania College of Technology. During the spring, summer and fall the supervised excavation site is opened to the public. More information is available at www.PennArchaeology.com and www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – Bald Eagle Chapter #24

SPA Chapter 24, Bald Eagle Archaeological Society, will have a information table and do a "dig and screen" activity for families at the annual Spring Creek Day Festival on Sunday, September 28, from noon to 5 p.m. The event will be held at the Millbrook Marsh Nature Center, 614 Puddintown Rd, State College. For information about the chapter contact Mary Alice Graetzer at 814-238-5239 or Melissa Diamanti at 814-466-6607.

Southwest

Society for Pennsylvania Archaeology – Allegheny Chapter #1

Saturday, October 4 and 18 - ongoing excavations at the Hatfield site in Washington County. Contact Jason Espino at jasonespino@hotmail.com or 412 - 828-6446 for more information.

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