On July 25 and 26, get down and dirty with Maryland history at Tidewater Archaeology Weekend, at Historic St. Mary’s City. Discover what it’s like to be an archaeologist at one of the nation’s most beautiful, and best preserved, colonial archaeology sites.
This summer’s excavations focus on the back yard of the Calvert House, built by Maryland’s first governor, Leonard Calvert, in the first few years of the settlement. It served as the first state house and the largest inn, or ordinary, in St. Mary’s.
In 1645, the house was the headquarters for a rebellion against Lord Baltimore and a fort, named Mr. Pope’s Fort, was built around it. When Governor Calvert retook the colony in 1646, he regained the house and filled in the fort ditch. Calvert died in the house in 1647.
Archaeologists are exploring an unusual feature uncovered in the backyard– a circular trench about 21 feet across that dates from the time the house was used as an ordinary. They are looking for the north wall of Pope’s Fort and chasing out the fence lines that define the colonial landscape.
At Tidewater Archaeology Weekend, visitors can see excavations and discover how archaeologists read stains in the soil. Take a walking tour with HSMC’s director of research and see how archaeologists found the center of Maryland’s first capital and solved the mystery of the vanished Brick Chapel.
These one-hour tours of Town Center and the Chapel will start at the Gazebo at 2 p.m. each day. Work a screen alongside the experts, sifting excavated soil, recovering artifacts, and find out how archaeologists identify these bits of the past.
Although the Calvert House site is shaded, archaeology can be hot, dirty work. Chill out at the St. John’s Site Museum, open all day, or in the lab, which can be visited during the event. Sign up for lab tours at 11:00, 1:00, 2:30, or 4:00 at the Visitor Center located at 18751 Hogaboom Lane.
Excavations will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Living history sites and the St. John’s Site Museum will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Throughout the weekend, special activities are included in museum admission, which is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students and only $3.50 for children ages 6 to 12 year. Younger children may visit for free.
For more information about the museum, archaeology, or this event visit www.stamaryscity.org or call (240( 895-4990 or (800) SMC-1634.