[MassHistPres] Visit Archaeological Dig in Progress in South Dartmouth, MA

[Diane Gilbert]

Greetings All,

This is the second summer that Dr. Christina Hodge, archaeologist and
Dartmouth native, has conducted an archaeological field survey at the 1762
Akin House property at 762 Dartmouth Street in Dartmouth.

Dr. Hodge is affiliated with the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology
at Harvard University and is also a visiting lecturer at University of
Massachusetts at Dartmouth.  She specializes in anthropological archaeology,
which has a historical focus with emphasis on colonial and post-colonial
archaeology, material culture studies, archaeological curation, and heritage
management.

This project which began in the summer of 2007 continues this summer thanks
to Dr. Hodge¹s leadership and with volunteers who are giving of their free
time, commitment and enthusiasm to learn and to enjoy themselves while they
become a part of uncovering Dartmouth¹s history.  The stories will continue
to unfold as they make new discoveries about a rare property which has
survived the Revolutionary War and has witnessed the comings and goings of
families for hundreds of years with very little change on the site after the
surrounding farmland was sold, creating a dense  and busy neighborhood.

This summer¹s dig has attracted many volunteers of all ages,  some traveling
all the way from Medford, Avon and Bourne as well as from our local
communities.  

Project activities are already underway from Sunday through Wednesday, from
9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. until August 13.  We
are still accepting volunteers and welcome visitors during the
aforementioned schedule.  Volunteers can work on the site anywhere from a
couple of hours a week or a morning or afternoon on a given day, or every
day.

The Akin House is located on the corner of Dartmouth and Rockland Streets in
Dartmouth, a few miles from New Bedford and less than a mile from historic
Padanaram Harbor.

This project is sponsored by the Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust, a
501 ( C ) 3 organization whose mission is:  "to protect and preserve
architecturally and historically significant structures and sites located in
the town of Dartmouth, Massachusetts and surrounding communities, through
the acquisition of such structures and sites, and easement interests
therein, through providing financial and technical assistance in connection
with the preservation and restoration of such structures and sites, and
through education and advocacy."

Please stop by the site to just visit or volunteer some of your time.  Not a
bad way to spend a few hours this summer.  FYI....visit:
www.akinhouse.blogspot.com for detailed information, photos and the latest
news on this very important archaeological field study.  You may also
contact me to arrange a visit or to learn more about the Trust and its
activities.

Best regards, Diane Gilbert  (508) 993-1216 or (508) 965-7265
President, Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust, Inc.

Dartmouth Heritage Preservation Trust, Inc.
P. O. Box 87026
South Dartmouth, MA 02748
 
Preserving Dartmouth¹s Heritage from the Foundation Up