Opening remarks were delivered by local businessman Michael Sullivan who assisted Dr. King and her group of students.  He said they had discovered “Southern Maryland’s holy grail”.

“We were happy to see such a great turnout,” Sullivan said.  “To have such a nice interest in this endeavor, we’re very proud of what’s happened today.”

Sullivan spoke to the audience about the discoveries made, not just the discovery of Zekiah Fort, a 17th century settlement Piscataway Indian settlement, but also the first Governor’s home and the first County courthouse.

The fort was established in 1680 by Gov. Charles Calvert, third Baron Baltimore (1637-1715) for the protection of the Piscataway Indians and other Maryland Indian tribes.  The Piscataway Indians were being targeted by the Susquehannock and Seneca warriors.

The distrust of the Piscataway began when Col. John Washington, grandfather of first American President George Washington, sieged the Susquehannock Fort on the Potomac.  Five chiefs had come out to negotiate but were executed.  This caused distrust and anger because the Piscataway were seen as allies of the Maryland British.

In the mid-1690s, the Piscataway abandoned Zekiah Fort and returned to what is now Prince George’s County.

Piscataway tribes exist in Southern Maryland, though not in a way that is consistent with stereotypes, to this day.

Archeologists and historians have sought to find the Zekiah fort for some eight decades.  The search for the Zekiah Fort began in 1934, during the 300 year anniversary for the State of Maryland.  William B. Marye began the search.  Several archeologists searched as well, but turned up no trace of the fort.

This summer, after 80 years of searching and frustration and after three years of searching, the Zekiah Fort was found just east of Waldorf near Piney Branch.  The team was assembled by Mike Sullivan, who also poured a lot of funding in to the project, and led under St. Mary’s College Professor and Archological Project Leader Dr. Julia A. King.

“This is a landmark effort,” St. Mary’s College of Maryland President Joseph Urgo said.  “Zekiah Fort is a contact zone and this is still bringing us together.”

“This truly is a special day,” College of Southern Maryland President Bradley Gottfried said.  “CSM is about working to make Southern Maryland better.  We let Mike Sullivan use CSM facilities.  Sullivan has ties to the community.  Students from CSM worked with SMCM students and Dr King.

“Dr. King has so much knowledge about archeology and cares about Southern Maryland.  We love to support Laura and Mike Sullivan as well as Mt. Victoria.”

“Colonial history is important not just to Maryland history but to national history,” Dr. King said.  “Zekiah Fort represents a complicated history.  Artifacts we discovered were able to maintain identity and they were as evident as they were 300 years ago.

“History is everywhere we go in Southern Maryland, and this really is the next generation.”

Three tribal chiefs of modern Piscataway tribes spoke, but none more passionately than Natalie Proctor, Chief of the Cedarville Band of Piscataway Indians.

“Piscataway people are extremely hard working,” Proctor said.  “We are blessed to work with the people of Southern Maryland… it is important that stereotypes be abolished!  We still exist, we are still alive!”

Maryland Senate President Miller said the discovery of the Zekiah Fort was “the most important archeological discovery in 50 years.”

Three Piscataway tribes worked with Dr. King and students, sharing their knowledge of Pisca