DERWOOD, MD—April is Maryland Archaeology Month and the Montgomery County Department of Parks is celebrating with a post-April event—its annual Archeology Day, May 10, this year at Needwood Mansion, 6700 Needwood Road in Derwood, from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm.
“Traces of the past remain all over our landscape, especially in our parks,” said Department of Parks Archaeologist Heather Bouslog. “For instance, at Needwood Mansion, which dates back to 1856, there are plenty of artifacts from the 19th century slave quarters that once stood on its grounds.”
During Archaeology Day the public is invited to join parks archaeologists for a public dig. The day’s activities will also include tours of the Needwood Mansion, storytelling by Mr. Robertson who lived at the mansion during the Civil War, old-time games and crafts. The cost is $8 per person and $15 per family. Participants are reminded to bring a bag lunch and wear their digging clothes.
“Archaeology Day is really an introduction to archaeology for all ages, with something for everyone,” added Bouslog. “Previous Archaeology Day participants have found antique toys, pottery pieces, animal bones and other artifacts.”
This month, Department of Parks archaeologists have been doing field work at Needwood Mansion and throughout the year parks archaeologists, with its team of dedicated volunteers, have been digging around Darnestown Square Urban Park, the Civil War camp at Blockhouse Point Conservation Park, a prehistoric campsite near Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park and helping parks historians and cultural resource managers date The Riley Farm/”Uncle Tom’s Cabin” through archaeological investigation.
“First-time participants at Archaeology Days gone-by have often found themselves with a new career or brand new hobby,” added Bouslog.
The department’s archeology program offers volunteer opportunities year-round and summer camps for both children and adults. Also, parks archaeologists host numerous county school groups throughout the year for special projects and excavations, including special events such as last year’s Dig-a-Thon enjoyed by the archaeology clubs at Magruder and Richard Montgomery high schools.
This is the fifth year of the parks Archaeology Day event. The Department of Parks has held Archaeology Day previously at Oakley Cabin in Olney, Dowden’s Ordinary in Clarksburg and last year’s event also at Needwood Mansion. The Mid-Potomac Chapter of the Archaeology Society of Maryland is an Archaeology Day sponsor.
For more on Maryland Archaeology Month, including a list of other area events in and post-April, see www.marylandarcheology.org and for more on the Department of Parks Archaeology program, including volunteer opportunities and information on summer camps, visit www.ParksArchaeology.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866
