Dec 20
Barbara HinesUncategorized Captian James M. Tucker, Civil War, Florida Archaeology Month, Scuba Diving, ship wreck, Snorkling, steamboat, Suwannee River, The Madison, Troy, Troy Spring State Park, Troy Springs
The lower ribs of the steamship, Madison, in Troy Spring Run at Troy Spring State Park.
The remains of the steamship, Madison, are located within the boundaries of Troy Spring State Park in Troy Springs, Florida. The Madison was originally constructed sometime between 1844 to 1854 for Captain James M. Tucker. It was named for Tucker’s hometown, Madison, Florida and it originally served as a floating mail service and trading post. In the 1850s, there were few road going into or out of Troy, and those that existed were often in poor condition. Additionally, the railroad had not yet arrived. For transportation, commerce and basic necessities, area residents relied on the service of Captain James M. Tucker and the steamboat Madison.
In 1861, at the beginning of the Civil War the Madison was used by the Confederates as a privateer and jerry-rigged gunboat. Lafayette county was a known refuge for Union sympathizers and Confederate deserters. This put Captain Tucker at odds with many locals. In 1863 it was scuttled and set on fire in the spring run at the request of Captain Tucker in order to prevent the Union from taking it over. Today some remains of the Madison are still visible in the spring run, mainly metal spikes, the keel and lower ribs.
Troy Spring State Park is a recent addition to the Florida State Park system. The 70-foot deep, first magnitude spring offers opportunities for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Troy Spring State Park is located off of County Road 425, 1.3 miles north of U.S. 27. While we are on the subject, this is a great opportunity to remind you that the theme for Florida Archaeology Month in March 2012 is the Civil War. What a perfect excuse to check out Troy Spring and explore the Madison! Please remember the old scouting motto though, “take only pictures, leave only footprints” (or in this case, bubbles!). We want everyone to be able to enjoy their scuba or snorkel adventure on the Madison, now and long into the future!
Nov 09
Barbara HinesUncategorized Archaeology, FAS, Florida, Florida Anthropological Society, Florida Archaeology Month, Florida Public Archaeology Network, Mission San Luis, Panhandle Archaeological Society, PAST, Tallahassee
This month I have been to so many festivals, and many people come to my booth wanting to know how they can become involved in local archaeology. So I thought it would be great to blog about this topic! I always recommend getting involved with your local Florida Anthropological Society (FAS) chapter. FAS provides those interested in archaeology and professional archaeologists a formal means to come together in a way that is mutually beneficial. FAS is open to anybody that is willing to abide by the FAS statement of ethics. The organization promotes the study of Florida’s past and brings attention to the general public and the appropriate governmental agencies the need for preservation of archaeological and historical sites within Florida. Members of FAS also receive the quarterly publication, The Florida Anthropologist, which provides readers with a great variety of articles detailing various aspects of Florida archaeology. It is always a great read!
The 2011 PAST Kick Off Meeting and Potluck!
There are sixteen FAS Chapters currently operating in the state. The Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee (PAST) is probably the closest chapter for many of the people that live within the North Central region. This FAS Chapter was first established in 1999 and holds a variety of activities and events throughout the year. By joining PAST you will have the opportunity to work alongside professional and avocational archaeologists on a variety of projects. Currently they are working on two field projects, where members may have the opportunity to assist with excavation, artifact curation and much more! Additionally, the Society hosts guest speakers from around the region to speak at their monthly meeting. PAST meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the B. Calvin Jones Center for Archaeology at the Governor Martin House (1001 De Soto Park Drive).
PAST has the unique honor of hosting the 2012 Florida Anthropological Society’s Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held at Mission San Luis in Tallahassee from May 11th to May 13th. There will be paper and poster sessions, various workshops, behind-the-scenes tours and fieldtrips. It is sure to be a great meeting and a wonderful opportunity to learn about Florida’s archaeology! To fit with the meeting’s setting, there will be Spanish food at the reception and banquet as well! Yummy! FPAN, PAST and FAS will provide more information about the meeting and how to register as it becomes available, so be on the look out!
Each March is Florida Archaeology Month (FAM). Every year has a different theme. Many of you may remember last year’s theme, “Native Plants, Native People”. Each year a poster with information about the theme is printed and given out at various FAM events. Additionally, book marks with similar information are made available to the public. The 2012 theme will relate to Florida’s involvement in the Civil War. This is to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. It is a great time to get out and learn about Florida’s history and archaeology as there are always many events that are taking place to celebrate FAM! FAM has become an important program for school children in Florida and many educators take advantage of FAM information to teach about the history and prehistory of Florida. Some FAM events are specifically designed for school children or field trip groups. The Florida Park Service is a great supporter of FAM, displaying the posters in park entrance stations and other high traffic areas. State Parks throughout Florida are also host to a wide variety of events during FAM. Various private museums and public libraries display the posters and make bookmarks available for students of all ages to promote stewardship. An interactive FAM website
PAST members pose for a photo after maintaining an archaeological site they have adopted.
is also in the works and will provide the public with even more information about Florida archaeology!
So there you have it, a rundown of some of the more common archaeology acronyms in Florida (in addition to FPAN of course)! Many professions are full of acronyms, and unless you are in that field it can be somewhat confusing! But as a member of the public with an interest in Florida archaeology, these acronyms, or what they represent, may be of great importance to you! So if you are interested in becoming more involved and taking advantage of the archaeological opportunities in your community FAS might be the answer you have been looking for!
Oct 06
Barbara HinesUncategorized Archaeology, Blountstown, Florida Archaeology, Florida Public Archaeology Network, Living History Museum, Panhandle Pioneer Settlement, Public Archaeology Day
One of the many historic buildings on display for visitors at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement.
What is the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement you ask? Well, it is a great place to experience Florida history first hand! It is located in Blountstown, Florida in Sam Atkins Park.
Vendors were at the event selling replica artifacts.
The Panhandle Pioneer Settlement was established in 1989. It is a living history museum that brings to life the time period between 1840 to the beginning of World War II. Their mission is to acquire, document, research and restore buildings, tools and other artifacts that were used throughout Florida’s history. This awesome place was developed by a small group of citizens that donated time and energy to soliciting memberships, and writing grants to acquire funds for the historical preservation and reconstruction of the over 20 structures now located on this 42 acre piece of property. Each building provides a unique experience and is a testament to the great history of the area. The buildings are situated in a way that is reminiscent of an old agricultural community in rural North Florida. For a virtual tour or for more information about the living history museum you can visit their website.
Throughout the year the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement is host to a wide variety of events that will take you back in time. For example, in February there is a Sacred Harp
FPAN Intern, Tristan, takes time to interact with guests at the Public Archaeology Day.
Singing and in November there is a Sugar Cane Syrup-Making Day! In September you can enjoy a free Peanut Boil. This past September the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement added another event to their calendar as well. They partnered up with the Northwest
There were also flint knapping deomonstrations!
and North Central FPAN regional offices to offer a Public Archaeology Day. Visitors could bring their artifacts to have them identified by professional archaeologists. They could also enjoy the many historical and archaeological exhibits that were set up around the living history museum. And of course, while there they were encouraged to walk about and learn what life in Florida used to be like by interacting with living history interpreters that were in period dress! I think it is safe to say that the event was a huge success and fun was had by all! In fact, it was such a success that we have already set the date for next year’s Public Archaeology Day at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement. So get out your 2012 calendars and be sure to mark September 8, 2012 so you don’t miss next year’s Public Archaeology Day! However, don’t wait until next year to visit the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement! They are open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Tours and other hours are available by appointment as well, so give them a call at 850-674-2777.
Aug 31
Barbara HinesUncategorized Florida, Florida Public Archaeology Network, Governor Martin House, Hernando de Soto, Tallahassee
Hernando de Soto
Hernando de Soto has been viewed as a controversial figure in Florida and America’s history. In Spain and in some areas of the U.S. he is seen as a romanticized hero and adventurous explorer. However, many of the Southeastern Native American tribes would more likely view him as a monster or a destructive man. Either way you look at it, he was a product of his time and Medieval Europe. He was born around 1500 in Spain in the province of Extremadura. This province produced many of the Spanish explorers we study today, such as Francisco Pizzarro (among others). He was the second son of a minor Spanish noble, and therefore he had no claim to the family’s wealth. De Soto probably saw the riches and glory of the New World as his way to create his own wealth and reputation. At the young age of fourteen he sailed to Central America as an enlisted man. It was there that he learned the terrorizing skills that he would later use on the native populations in La Florida. Before that though, he would fine tune his skills as a member of Francisco Pizzarro’s army that successfully overthrew the Incas in South America. He returned to Spain with a wealth of Incan treasure and married the daughter of King Charles V. However, the privileged life of a Spanish noble and husband was not for him and he received a grant from the king for the rights to conquer and govern the new Spanish territory, La Florida.
In 1539 de Soto came to Florida and encountered the native inhabitants of the state. At the time these people were already experiencing cultural change, the mound building
A general map depicting Native American communities in Florida at the time of de Soto's arrival in 1539.
Mississippian culture had started to decline and new tribes were increasing their dominance over the land. In the North Central Region of Florida the Apalachee were becoming the dominant chiefdom in the area. Throughout Florida villages would trade, create alliances and battle with each other. Extensive trade routes had been established and stretched throughout Florida. When Hernando de Soto arrived there were nearly 3500,000 natives already living in Florida. Less than 20 years later many of the villages were found abandoned and the native populations had been scattered sparsely throughout the state. Many were killed by the Spanish or European diseases that the Spanish had brought with them.
The St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail.
The Hernando de Soto Trail follows the path he took the first year of his historic expedition through Florida in 1539. Along this route there are 34 stops that mark significant points in his journey through the state. There are kiosks at each of these locations that discuss the cultural and environmental conditions associated with these sites and the historic events that took place there. Hernando de Soto traveled this route by boat, foot and horseback, but fortunately for us, all of these sites are easily accessed by car! On May 25, 1539 the ships anchored near the mouth of Tampa Bay and he traveled northward up through Florida. You are able to relive this historic trek through La Florida by following a map that can be found at any one of the 34 locations along this trail. In the North Central Region there are several sites that are part of this trail. The St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail, Kate Ireland Park, the Governor Martin House at De Soto’s 1539 Winter Encampment Site, Riley Palmer Construction, Lafayette Heritage Trail Park, the First Federal Sports Complex and Falling Creek Falls Park are just a few of the included locations in this region. If you would like to learn of more locations please stop by the Governor Martin House (1001 De Soto Park Dr., Tallahassee) during business hours to pick up your free map and brochure or visit any of the other previously listed sites to pick up a brochure. Additionally, you can follow @FPANNrthCentral on twitter. For the next few weeks, until we have gone through all 34 locations along the trail, we will be tweeting information (including websites) for each site pertaining to Hernando de Soto’s travels throughout the State of Florida. We will also post this information on our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/FPANnorthcentral. So be sure to follow us to learn more about this trail and kiosk locations in your area, and don’t forget to pick up your free copy of the map and brochure so that you have it handy for your next road trip through Florida!
Aug 10
Barbara HinesUncategorized Florida History, Florida Tourism, Friends of Suwannee Springs, Suwannee County, Suwannee River, Suwannee Springs
Last week I was contacted by a newly formed group, Friends of Suwannee Springs (you can find them on Facebook!). They were formed to preserve and protect this little known historic site. I say little known, perhaps because I
Look for this sign off of Hwy 129, right before you cross over the Suwannee River. It will be on your right.
was previously unaware of its existence. However, after meeting with them, I have come to find out that many people were previously unaware of its existence besides the locals. To the local population however, it has been a popular gathering place for generations and many of the people I spoke with grew up learning how to swim in this spring! I decided that in order to work with them, I needed to become familiar with this site, so a road trip was in order! The site is located approximately 7 miles north of Live Oak and a few miles north of I-10 off of Highway 129, and thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Suwannee Springs, the Florida Department of Transportation has recently posted a road sign pointing the way! The property is currently owned and maintained by the Suwannee River Water Management District. They have created a nice picnic area and a walkway overlooking the spring. There is a hiking trail and a swimming area on the Suwannee River as well. The area is open from 8:00 AM until 7:00 PM every day. No overnight camping is allowed, but the area is open to swimming, biking, hiking and fishing.
Historic ad for Suwannee Springs.
The history of Suwannee Springs goes back quite a ways, but in the mid- to late-1800s it was a popular notion that sulfur and mineral springs had unique healing qualities. It became popular for resorts and sanitariums to be constructed on or next to these springs. Often times the water was also bottled and sold. Suwannee Springs, thus, became a popular destination for tourists to the area. The water from the spring was also bottled and sold and was available for sale by druggists. A wall was constructed out of local limestone around the spring in the mid-to late-1800s. A hotel and approximately 18 private cottages were eventually also constructed at the site. It is important to note that the site passed through many owners’ hands and that several hotels were constructed at various times throughout its history. In all, three hotels were built at the site. Unfortunately, the reason so many hotels were constructed is because there were multiple structural fires that destroyed some of these buildings. The last hotel burned down in 1925 and up until sometime in the 1970s visitors would spend their summers in one of the private cottages near the spring.
Suwannee Springs was so popular as a vacation and convalescing destination that old advertisements for the resort can be found in newspapers from around the country. Many of these newspapers
Visitors can still enjoy the refreshing spring water today!
advertise the spring as a location with amusements, pleasant evenings, bathing, freedom from malaria and other ailments, and of course, the healing virtues of the spring water itself! It was
Old postcard of cottages at Suwannee Springs.
marketed as a sure cure for rheumatism and blood diseases, appetite loss and insomnia (among other ailments). The spring was also listed by the railroads as one of the best summer resorts. It could be reached via the Savannah Florida and Western Railway, Georgia Southern and Florida Railway and the Florida Central and Peninsular Railway.
Today all that remains of the site are the ruins of the spring wall and two dilapidated cottages. Apparently some of the other remaining cottages are held in private
Current condition of two remaining cottages.
ownership and have been restored, but only two remain on public lands. I was amazed at the beauty, even in its current ruinous shape, which this site possesses. Looking at it I can picture children in the early 1900s jumping off the sturdy limestone wall into the spring! It was as if I could almost hear the people laughing and splashing! People still visit the site to take a quick dip, either in the spring or the Suwannee River. In fact, a family was there swimming during my visit. This site is reminiscent of a unique period in Florida’s history. This site is a surviving example of the birth of Florida tourism as we know it today. Our fancy, high-end resorts, as they exist today, look quite different from the resorts and sanitariums of the late 1800s and early 1900s! You have to wonder though, did the early spring resorts lay the foundation for Florida as a resort destination?
So, the next time you are passing through Live Oak, take a detour to the Suwannee Springs to check it out yourself. I am sure you will fall in love with this unique piece of Florida history just as I recently have. Just remember, these sites are fragile and deserving of respect. Hopefully, one day, this site will be returned to its previous state, but as of now, it demands a certain amount of caution to prevent it from further destruction. Let us do what we can to ensure that future generations can enjoy this site just as people have for over 100 years. Pack a picnic, bring your swim suits and enjoy the beauty that Florida’s unique history has to offer!
Photo shows the fragile state of the wall surrounding the spring.
Jul 29
Barbara HinesUncategorized Archaeologist, Archaeology, Day of Archaeology 2011, Florida Public Archaeology Network
Hi all! Well today is the Day of Archaeology 2011 and I am very excited. For those of you who may not be aware of what this means, well, the Day of Archaeology 2011 was created to give people a glimpse into the daily lives of archaeologists. Written by over 400 contributors, it documents what they do on one day,
July 29th 2011, from those in the field to specialists working in laboratories and behind computers. This date coincides with the
Festival of British Archaeology, which runs from 16th – 31st July 2011. Archaeologists will continue to post to this Day of Archaeology blog for an entire week after the Day of Archaeology.
The Day of Archaeology was born after a Twitter conversation. Some folks thought it would be interesting and fun to organize something for those working or volunteering in (or studying) archaeology around the world. Thanks to some very talented and hard working, tech savy people, the Day of Archaeology became a reality. So I hope that you all will check it out at
http://www.dayofarchaeology.com/. There are approximately 400 archaeologists from around the world contributing to this project. So take some time and get to know what it is that archaeologists that work in various aspects of the field do on a daily basis! It really is a cool project!
Now, below is my post from The Day of Archaeology 2011 blog. There are so many individuals contributing, that you might have a hard time finding my post. So read on below, but don’t forget to visit the Day of Archaeology web site to see what other archaeologists are doing around the world. Enjoy!
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Hello! First let me introduce myself! I am Barbara Hines, the Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Public Archaeology Network’s North Central Region (www.flpublicarchaeology.org). I have been working with FPAN for just over a year now, and have loved every second of it so far. Prior to Public Archaeology I worked in Cultural Resource Management. Because of that experience I have a wide range of interests as far as archaeology goes, but I tend to get a bit more excited about historical archaeology (especially the antebellum stuff). At FPAN our mission is to promote and facilitate the conservation, study and public understanding of Florida’s archaeological heritage through regional centers, each of which has its own website. We have a total of eight regions throughout the state of Florida.
Today I don’t have any field work going on, but there is still a ton of stuff I am trying to get done by the end of the day today. First thing I do everyday is update our facebook and twitter status. You can follow FPAN North Central on twitter at @FPANNrthCentral. I try to post upcoming outreach events and sometimes interesting articles about local archaeological finds. After that it is on to the rest of the day’s tasks.
Today I am trying to finalize plans for an upcoming event I have going on in Blountstown, Florida. I have teamed up with the FPAN Northwest Region, the Panhandle Archaeological Society at Tallahassee and the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement for a Public Archaeology Day. It will be located at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement on September 10th. This is going to be a great event where the public can bring their own private artifact collections so that they can have them identified by Professional Archaeologists. This is a great way to create a working dialog between the private collector and archaeologists. I think this is very important and allows archaeologists to get a more holistic view of the archaeological record. I have been trying to line up volunteers and work on other logistical matters.
The Thank You Wall!
This morning I went to the P.O. Box to check our mail. I love checking our mail because it is always filled with thank you letters from children. I visit a lot of classrooms and present on archaeology. FPAN also has a ton of hands on activities we do with the kids to teach them about different concepts relating to archaeology. It is probably my favorite part of the job! I have a bulletin board in the office where I display some of my favorite thank you notes and newspaper clippings about some of our events. It is a constant reminder of the impact we are making, and I hope it is a lasting impact. I am a true believer that education will lead to the conservation of our important archaeological sites. In fact, another one of my goals today is to email my education contacts to let them know that I am ready for the upcoming school year. I have a listing of emails for teachers and educators that I email on a regular basis to keep them updated about FPAN outreach events. Some of the teachers even give the students extra credit if they attend! We also conduct teacher trainings to equip the teachers with the necessary skills to incorporate archaeology into their existing curricula.
We also do a lot of things with adults as well. Today one of my main goals is to finish a presentation that I will be giving in early August to a group of adults in Columbia County. I will be talking about the turpentine industry in North Florida. From the 1700s to the early 1900s it was an important industry in this region and I have had the opportunity to work on several sites that contained the remains of turpentine camps. It has been a long time interest of mine. And to think, I had no idea what the turpentine (sometimes called Naval Stores) industry was until I moved up here to Tallahassee! Turpentine was used to seal ships and was also an ingredient in many other products, such as paint thinner, beauty products and medical products as well. I have been compiling information for this presentation for months, now it is time to create the power point and get down to business. I have some really cool pictures that I am very excited to show the public. I found them at the state archives.
This whole summer I have been busy going to summer camps and doing archaeology activities with the campers. Last week I attended a Girl Scout camp and did a whole bunch of lessons with them. Their favorite activity though, was learning to use the atlatl. The atlatl, or spear thrower, is a prehistoric hunting tool. It even predates the bow and arrow! We all spent some time outside learning how to use it. With the use of the atlatl you can learn to throw a spear three times farther and faster! That would come in pretty handy if you had to hunt large game for dinner. The kids always get a kick out of it and so do the adults! Today I want to unpack all my summer camp supplies and send an email to the Camp Director to thank her for inviting me to come and teach the campers about archaeology. I hope that the campers all enjoyed it as much as I did!
Well, I believe that is my day in a nutshell. It is probably pretty different than what most people would expect. No digging in the dirt for me today! As much as I do love excavating, I am pretty glad to be in the air conditioning today, as it is almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside today. However, when I was doing Cultural Resource Management I was regularly out there in the heat, so I know I could do it if I had to! I hope you enjoyed this entry and I really hope I gave some good insight into the typical day of a Public Archaeologist!
Jul 27
Barbara HinesUncategorized Archaeology, Florida, Florida Public Archaeology Network, Girl Scouts, Summer Camp
Around this time of year many FPAN offices are busy working summer camps around the state. When I tell people this, they always ask, “What do kids do at archaeology summer camp?” Well, I decided that would be a wonderful blog topic. Most seem to think that we put the kids in a big pit and make them dig in the dirt all week long. Well, I don’t know about you, but in this heat, that does not sound too appealing. Thank goodness archaeology summer camp involves a variety of activities – some indoors and some outdoors!
This summer I worked with three different summer camps, and all three ran very differently. At one summer day camp I spent one hour with a different group of children each day. So each day I did the same activity, just adapting it to make it age appropriate for each individual group. I spent that week doing an activity called “Ancient Graffiti”. In this activity the children create a graffiti panel to show how people expressed themselves in the past. The campers learned that wall paintings, rock art, and even graffiti are found at archaeological sites throughout the world. They learned that pictographs created by prehistoric Native Americans are studied by archaeologists to interpret their meaning and use. Archaeologists use this type of rock art to understand the beliefs, religion, experiences, or stories of the people who created them. We even took it one step further and discussed how graffiti created during historic times can be studied the same way. The children even had the chance to learn about some ancient rock art found within a cave in Florida! The campers worked on their ancient graffiti in groups and had to tell a story without using any written words. They then had the chance to share their story with the rest of the campers. It is a great activity, and the stories were very entertaining. There were hunting parties telling about their latest catch, stories of adventures around the world and even stories of aliens landing on earth!
The second day camp I had the same group every day. Therefore I was able to do a different activity each day. This allowed for a more in depth look at Florida archaeology. We did a variety of activities, but the camper’s favorite one seemed to be the Chocolate Chip Cookie Excavation. This gave the children a chance to learn that excavation is a very scientific process and takes time. They also learned the importance of documentation by mapping their cookie prior to excavation. We took this lesson a step further by discussing the Law of Superposition, which states simply that in an undisturbed environment, the artifacts that are closer to the surface were deposited more recently than those that are found deeper within the ground. This, in turn, led to a productive discussion on the importance of not disturbing archaeological sites. It never ceases to amaze me at how intelligent and observant children can be! They latched on to this concept and ran with it.
The third camp was a Girl Scout sleep away camp. I was probably busiest at this camp. It was a week long and there were multiple archaeology activities scheduled each day. We had a chance to do both indoor and outdoor activities. Many activities I did with the campers came from either Project Archaeology or Beyond Artifacts. Beyond Artifacts is available for free on the FPAN website, and FPAN offers Project Archaeology workshops on a regular basis (www.flpublicarchaeology.org). I would have to say though; Atlatl Antics was probably the favorite activity for these campers! What could be more fun than learning about Native American technology and then having the chance to learn how to throw with an ancient hunting tool, the atlatl (also sometimes called a spear thrower)! The campers had a blast and learned that although prehistoric cultures did not have tv’s or computers, their technology was anything but primitive!
So there you have it, archaeology summer camp in a nutshell! Of course I could not go over each individual activity that the campers did throughout their stay at summer camp, but as you can see, it so much better than being stuck in a pit for a week! So, while this summer is coming to an end, remember, there is always next summer!
Jul 12
Barbara HinesUncategorized Archaeology, Beyond Artifacts, Education, Educational Resources, Florida, Florida Public Archaeology Network, Public Outreach
Shipwreck on a Tarp, from "Beyond Artifacts". Avaliable on FPAN website.
When I first tell people that as part of my job I sometimes meet with school groups, they automatically assume that I simply show slides from excavations that I have worked on. However, what I do is something that I feel is much more meaningful and has a greater impact than just simply showing pictures. Instead of showing children what I do, I use hands-on lessons that allow them to become the archaeologist and learn about the past. Archaeology is a multidisciplinary science and can be used in the classroom to teach a variety of skills. Not only can children learn about the past, but they can learn about the scientific method, classification, geography, observation, inference and evidence, as well as other valuable skills. Most educators do not know about the many resources available to them that t hey can use to incorporate archaeology lessons into the curricula that they already use throughout the school year. You can find some of these avaliable resources on FPAN’s website, http://www.flpublicarchaeology.org/resources/. Additionally, FPAN regularly conducts Teacher Workshops in order to help familiarize teachers with these lessons so that they will feel more comfortable using them in their classrooms (check with your local FPAN office for details and scheduled workshops).
Now, once they realize that I do more than just show pictures of sites, they then automatically assume that I do “mock excavations” with the children. However, that is not
Mystery Cemetery, from "Beyond Artifacts". Avaliable on FPAN website.
the case either. The children do not have to get down on their hands and knees in an excavation unit to learn about archaeology. In fact, I have found that children prefer food over dirt any day! And what better way to learn about excavation techniques than excavating a chocolate chip cookie. Or what about learning about stratigraphy and the Law of Superposition with peanut butter and jelly? This also allows the students to expand their horizons and look at every day and familiar objects in a very different way. What about using the contents of the classroom trash can (the clean trash, of course!) to teach them how archaeologists use items to learn about past activities at a site. There are a variety of ways to create a unique archaeological experiment in the classroom without every getting dirty.
Atlatl Antics avaliable on the FPAN website in "Beyond Artifacts".
These lessons can be used throughout the year and are great for summer camps as well! Not only does it expose children to the reality of archaeology, not the Hollywood idea of what an archaeologist does. No offense to Laura Croft and Indian Jones of course. I have fond memories of going to the movie theater to see these action packed movies. However, it is important that children learn the science of archaeology. These lessons not only teach about scientific inquiry, they also have the potential to teach the enduring lesson of stewardship. After all, archaeological sites are the only glimpse we have into our shared past and if these sites are destroyed they are gone forever. In the future it will be up to our children to ensure that these sites are preserved for their children and so on.
So, take a moment and look over the many lessons available on our website! We are always available to answer questions that educators might have regarding incorporating archaeology in the classroom.
May 23
Barbara HinesUncategorized Florida Memory Project, Florida State Archives, Florida State Library and Archives
State Archaeologist, B. Calvin Jones excavating at the de Soto Encampment site, note the Governor Martin House in the background, 1987.
I have recently realized that having been an archaeologist for awhile now, there are some resources that I have become accustomed to using on a regular basis that many people may not even know exist. Many resources that archaeologists or historians use can be of use or interest to other folks as well. One of my favorite research tools is the Florida Memory Project. The Florida Memory Project is an online collection of documents, photographs, audio recordings, video clips and other similar resources. This project is part of the Florida State Library and Archives. You can search for over 160,000 historical photographs on the Florida Memory Project. You can also access veteran’s records, land grants, family papers, folk music and much more online. It is a wonderful resource that I have used many times in my research, but many people don’t know that such a wonderful online research tool exists. You can access the Florida Memory Project at www.floridamemory.com.
Another wonderful thing about the Memory Project is that it is constantly expanding. Anybody that has any photographs of their family in Florida can create a lasting legacy by donating historic photographs of their family. To donate you will need to contact the Florida State Archives at archives@dos.state.fl.us.
Scuba divers recovering mastadon bones at Wakulla Springs, 1950s.photos to the project.
The Florida Memory Project is a great resource for educators as well. There is a whole online classroom dedicated to helping teachers and educators use photographs, documents, sound recordings and film footage from the State Library and Archives. This resource is also great for genealogists, historians, and for those that are just interested in the history of a particular period or place in Florida. The great thing about the Florida Memory Project is that it is constantly expanding and that it is a searchable database. I have used it in the past to look at historic neighborhoods to see how they have changed over time. I have also searched some of my favorite tourism locations in Florida to see what they used to look like. As a Historic Archaeologist, I have often used it to research archaeological sites, such as turpentine camps or historic home sites.
To show you how interesting and informative the Florida Memory Project can be, I have searched several popular tourist destinations in the North Central Region. All of the photos for this blog were found on the Florida Memory Project using a simple search! So the next time you are doing some historical research visit the Florida Memory Project and see what you can find!
Archaeologist excavating at San Marco de Apalache in St. Marks, 1970s.
May 13
Barbara HinesUncategorized Cistern, Florida Division of Historical Resources, LEED Gold Certification, LeRoy Collins, Richard Keith Call, Tallahassee, Tallahassee History, The Grove, United States Green building Council, Winn Dixie
Yesterday I was asked by an archaeologist with the Division of Historical Resources to assist in the excavation of a cistern at The Grove. I had heard a little bit about this place, but didn’t know the full history. So being me, after
The Grove, Tallahassee (photo courtesy of the Florida Division of Historical Resources)
saying yes to assisting with the excavation, I went home and immediately began my Google research of The Grove. As an archaeologist, I know it is always easier to conduct an excavation if you are familiar with the site! As I researched it, I became fascinated with the history of The Grove. It never ceases to amaze me at the history we have here in Tallahassee. If only all these old historic structures could talk!
The history of The Grove begins with Richard Keith Call. Call was born in Virginia in 1792, and later in life joined with General Andrew Jackson on the march to Pensacola, Florida as an officer on Jackson’s personal staff. He then assisted Jackson with establishing his military headquarters at his home, The Hermitage, in Tennessee. Eventually Call established a law practice in Pensacola and in 1822 he was appointed to Florida’s first Legislative Council and then in 1823 he was appointed Brigadier General of the Militia by President Monroe. He was eventually elected as a delegate for the Territory of Florida to the United States Congress.
In 1824 Call married Mary Letitia Kirkman in Nashville. Andrew Jackson actually gave away the bride! The newly married couple briefly lived in Washinton, D.C., and after Richard Keith Call retired from Congress he accepted the position of Receiver of Public Monies for Florida. In 1825 he moved to Florida, where he purchased 640 acres at $1.25 an acre in the Tallahassee area. Here he began construction of The Grove, with inspiration from The Hermitage in Tennessee. He served as his own architect and construction manager for this undertaking. The exact date when construction was completed is not known, but it appears that the family moved into their new residence in the early 1830s. Mary died shortly afterwards in 1836 and is buried in the family cemetery located on the property. Less than a month after her passing, Call was appointed to a three-year term as Territorial Governor by President Andrew Jackson. He quickly became a political, business and military leader and in 1841 President Harrison appointed him to a second term as Territorial Governor. The Grove became the center for public and political gatherings in Tallahassee. In 1845 Call retired from public service after an unsuccessful attempt to run for Governor of the State of Florida.
In 1851 he deeded The Grove to his daughter, Ellen, and he moved to another plantation nearby. In 1882, he returned to The Grove where he passed away. For years after that The Grove remained in the family, then in 1942 the house was put on the open market. However, Call’s great-granddaughter, Mary Call, and her husband LeRoy Collins were able to purchase the property. In 1942 the couple moved in, fulfilling a life-long dream of Mary’s. Unfortunately, by this point the house was in a state of disrepair. The Collin’s were able to restore the property and acquired additional family property that, though out the years, had been sold off. They were also able to purchase the family cemetery where Richard Keith Call and other family members had been buried.
Eventually, Mary’s husband and aspiring politician, LeRoy Collins was elected as Governor in 1956. As governor he advocated for education, tourism, environmental conservation and more! Civil rights and segregation were major issues during his time as Governor, and he was one of the first southern governors who opposed segregation.
In 2009 the Division of Historical Resources began the process of restoring The Grove. The goal of this restoration is to have the historic property used as a museum. The Call and Collins families both had a tradition of public service, leadership, innovation, community and family. The goal of this project is to turn The Grove into a museum with themes and activities that capture the essence of the family’s history and life at The Grove in a compelling and engaging way for the public. In keeping with the family tradition of resourcefulness and innovation, DHR and the renovation team is attempting to restore The Grove in such a way that they are able to achieve LEED Gold Certification by the United States Green Building Council.
To further support historic sites and their preservation in Florida the Division of Historical Resources entered into a partnership with Winn-Dixie incorporated. As part of this partnership, Winn-Dixie recently released their Winn-Dixie Southern Style Sweet Tea featuring The Grove on the product label! If you would like to learn more about The Grove, the renovation or the partnership with Winn-Dixie incorporated,you can visit http://www.flheritage.com/grove/index.cfm
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