The Center's Archeological Field School
Mary Washington College's Tenth Annual
Field School in Historical Archaeology at Stratford Hall Plantation
May 20-June 28, 2002
This is last year's class, a new schedule will be coming soon.
In association with ongoing architectural, landscape and historical studies, Stratford Hall's long-term research program includes the archaeological analysis of the plantation's historical landscape and community. Stratford, the eighteenth-century home of the Lee family, is located in Westmoreland County on a 1,700 acre tract along the Potomac River, approximately 40 miles southeast of Fredericksburg, VA. Well known as the birthplace of Robert E. Lee, the Stratford mansion is one of the best known examples of Georgian architecture in America.
The field school allows participants to gain proficiency in excavation,
recording, and field interpretation, and will include instruction in
the method and theory of historical archaeology. Participants should
be able to engage in physical labor, often under hot and humid conditions.
This year field research will focus on domestic sites associated with
the plantation's former, large African-American community of slaves
and workers. These sites are interpreted in relation to the broader
plantation landscape of buildings, yards, gardens, and fields. The field
school's overall goal has been to examine the structure and evolution
of this landscape, as well as its cultural use and historical meaning.
The field school carries six hours of either undergraduate or graduate credit. Written permission must be obtained from the instructor in order to register. Tuition for in-state students is approximately $700 and about $1700 for out-of-state students. These costs include tuition and most class materials for Historic Preservation 465, Field Methods in Historical Archaeology. Housing costs (approximately $150) and meals are not included in this fee.
Enrollment in this course is limited. The application deadline is April
27, 2002.
Letters of application should be sent to Dr. Douglas Sanford, Field
School Director.
CO-SPONSORED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF AND THE CENTER FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AT MARY WASHINGTON COLLEGE AND THE ROBERT E. LEE MEMORIAL ASSOCIATION
For further information, contact:
Dr. Douglas W. Sanford, Field School Director
Department of Historic Preservation, Mary Washington College
1301 College Avenue, Fredericksburg, VA 22401-5358
540-654-1314; dsanford@umw,edu
For Further Information on the Field School
Stratford Hall Plantation Exhibit
Stratford Hall Plantation Website