News

A Note from the SHA President: New Philadelphia as a Possible National Park Site

Historical archaeology has built part of its identity on the study of the disenfranchised, those who history didn’t bother to record. From early work by James Deetz at Parting Ways to the archaeology of Black Lucy’s Garden to Leland Ferguson’s recognition of the “Afro” in Colono-Indian Ware, archaeologists have led the effort to bring Africa and Africans into the lens of American history. That emphasis has resonated in cultural resource management, where consultants have realized that African sites are places that are little known and hence deserving of study, and as a result we have seen on a long lineage of African American CRM sites and studies ranging from Yaughan and Curiboo plantations to the African Burial Ground.

While we have done a good job of recognizing African American history and sites, we have been less successful in connecting those resources to their descendant communities, in serving and promoting public outreach. As a discipline engaged in digging the earth, we realize that all of our nation’s significant sites are not extant, were not built of brick and stone, and were not cherished by communities with the resources and legal position to protect and promote places of note. As a result, historic archaeological sites of the politically disconnected are too seldom celebrated and saved.

As archaeologists, we know these sites can speak since they have spoken to us. What we have forgotten is our responsibility to be storytellers and spokespersons.

Now we have a chance to have our voices heard. The National Park Service (NPS) is considering adding the New Philadelphia town as a unit and National Park.

New Philadelphia was formed by Frank McWorter, an African American who purchased his own freedom and that of at least fifteen family members, who moved to Illinois – a free state – where he was able to purchase land, and who then formed and registered the town of New Philadelphia in 1836. McWorter was the first African American to legally register a town in America; New Philadelphia was that town. It is an important place in American history, it is important to its community, and its story needs to be heard. It is a story that speaks to African America’s struggle with slavery and racism, as well as African Americans’ efforts to challenge social constructs by creating a racially diverse town.

New Philadelphia was discovered, uncovered, and explored by a team of historical archaeologists including Anna Agbe-Davies, Joy Beasley, Chris Fennell, Tom Gwaltney, Tommy Hailey, Bryan Haley, Michael Hargrave, Cheryl LaRoche, Terrance Martin, and Paul Shackel. It is a testament of the power of historical archaeology to connect descendant communities to a past that history forgot.

From now until June 11, the NPS is soliciting comments on the addition of New Philadelphia as a National Park unit. You can support the inclusion of New Philadelphia by commenting on the NPS site.

The NPS has already signified the historical significance of New Philadelphia by adding it the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, by designating it a National Historic Landmark in 2009, and by including it in the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program in 2013. However, only 6% of the NPS 410 units are directly associated with African American history. We have an opportunity to help right past wrongs, by including sites such as New Philadelphia among the places our nation celebrates and supports. Please join me in letting the NPS know that we believe New Philadelphia deserves to be added to the NPS as a park, which will protect its heritage and promote its legacy.

JW Joseph, PhD, RPA
President

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Heavy Metal

by Megan Sirak, East Carolina University

In January 2016 Washington D.C. hosted the 49^th Annual Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology.  I was encouraged by one of my professors to attend as he thought it would benefit me.  He could not have been more correct.

While attending a professional conference as an undergraduate student may seem daunting, it is entirely worthwhile.  As an undergraduate you are not always expected to present a paper or poster as most graduate students and professionals do in this forum.  This allows younger students to sit back and observe conference proceedings.  If you as a student are anticipating attending graduate school you will be expected to present your research one day.  The best way to overcome the initial nerves and misgivings that come with professional presentations is to first observe them as a bystander.  We have all had to do presentations in our undergraduate careers, but the types of presentations and talks given at the professional level, such as at the SHA’s annual meeting, is a completely different animal.  Having the opportunity to observe numerous presentations not only gives undergraduate students an idea of what will be expected of them in the future, but it also opens their eyes to the broad spectrum of research being conducted in archaeology today.  I personally began studying anthropology and archaeology late in my undergraduate career.  Attending numerous symposiums on a number of topics at this conference educated me on how diverse archaeology is.  

Although observation is a luxury for many undergraduates, I do not believe younger conference attendees should be passive in their conference experience.  Attending professional conferences is a fantastic way to network, ask questions, and practice professionalism.  The workshops offered are an excellent way to expand your knowledge on a particular topic.  Volunteering at the conference is also a great way to make introductions.  By volunteering, you get the opportunity to meet other students in your field and you are given a ready-made excuse to interact with the professionals attending.  There are also a number of other great events for students to attend and be involved in such as the Ethics Bowl, the Past Presidents Reception, and the Student Subcommittee to the Academic and Professional Training Committee.

So yes, attending a professional conference with some of the biggest names in archaeology can be extremely daunting, but the benefits of attending should far outweigh any fears undergraduate students might have.  I would encourage all students to attend a professional conference, such as the Society for Historical Archaeology’s annual meeting, while they are still undergraduates.  Attending in 2016 was completely worth giving up a few days of my winter break to further my passion for historical archaeology and my career.  There is nothing more rewarding than being in a room of people who share your passion.  Having the opportunity to meet students of archaeology from across the country was equaling rewarding.  The students of today will be the professionals of tomorrow.  We should relish the opportunity to meet our future colleagues and interact with them.  So the next time a professor or fellow student suggests you should attend a conference, jump on it.  Conferences are occasions for learning, so as students we should seize every opportunity.

In January 2016 Washington D.C. hosted the 49^th Annual Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology.  I was encouraged by one of my professors to attend as he thought it would benefit me.  He could not have been more correct.

While attending a professional conference as an undergraduate student may seem daunting, it is entirely worthwhile.  As an undergraduate you are not always expected to present a paper or poster as most graduate students and professionals do in this forum.  This allows younger students to sit back and observe conference proceedings.  If you as a student are anticipating attending graduate school you will be expected to present your research one day.  The best way to overcome the initial nerves and misgivings that come with professional presentations is to first observe them as a bystander.  We have all had to do presentations in our undergraduate careers, but the types of presentations and talks given at the professional level, such as at the SHA’s annual meeting, is a completely different animal.  Having the opportunity to observe numerous presentations not only gives undergraduate students an idea of what will be expected of them in the future, but it also opens their eyes to the broad spectrum of research being conducted in archaeology today.  I personally began studying anthropology and archaeology late in my undergraduate career.  Attending numerous symposiums on a number of topics at this conference educated me on how diverse archaeology is.  

Although observation is a luxury for many undergraduates, I do not believe younger conference attendees should be passive in their conference experience.  Attending professional conferences is a fantastic way to network, ask questions, and practice professionalism.  The workshops offered are an excellent way to expand your knowledge on a particular topic.  Volunteering at the conference is also a great way to make introductions.  By volunteering, you get the opportunity to meet other students in your field and you are given a ready-made excuse to interact with the professionals attending.  There are also a number of other great events for students to attend and be involved in such as the Ethics Bowl, the Past Presidents Reception, and the Student Subcommittee to the Academic and Professional Training Committee.

So yes, attending a professional conference with some of the biggest names in archaeology can be extremely daunting, but the benefits of attending should far outweigh any fears undergraduate students might have.  I would encourage all students to attend a professional conference, such as the Society for Historical Archaeology’s annual meeting, while they are still undergraduates.  Attending in 2016 was completely worth giving up a few days of my winter break to further my passion for historical archaeology and my career.  There is nothing more rewarding than being in a room of people who share your passion.  Having the opportunity to meet students of archaeology from across the country was equaling rewarding.  The students of today will be the professionals of tomorrow.  We should relish the opportunity to meet our future colleagues and interact with them.  So the next time a professor or fellow student suggests you should attend a conference, jump on it.  Conferences are occasions for learning, so as students we should seize every opportunity.

Megan Sirak

East Carolina University

In January 2016 Washington D.C. hosted the 49^th Annual Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology.  I was encouraged by one of my professors to attend as he thought it would benefit me.  He could not have been more correct.

While attending a professional conference as an undergraduate student may seem daunting, it is entirely worthwhile. As an undergraduate you are not always expected to present a paper or poster as most graduate students and professionals do in this forum.  This allows younger students to sit back and observe conference proceedings.  If you as a student are anticipating attending graduate school you will be expected to present your research one day.  The best way to overcome the initial nerves and misgivings that come with professional presentations is to first observe them as a bystander.  We have all had to do presentations in our undergraduate careers, but the types of presentations and talks given at the professional level, such as at the SHA’s annual meeting, is a completely different animal.  Having the opportunity to observe numerous presentations not only gives undergraduate students an idea of what will be expected of them in the future, but it also opens their eyes to the broad spectrum of research being conducted in archaeology today.  I personally began studying anthropology and archaeology late in my undergraduate career.  Attending numerous symposiums on a number of topics at this conference educated me on how diverse archaeology is.  

Although observation is a luxury for many undergraduates, I do not believe younger conference attendees should be passive in their conference experience. Attending professional conferences is a fantastic way to network, ask questions, and practice professionalism.  The workshops offered are an excellent way to expand your knowledge on a particular topic.  Volunteering at the conference is also a great way to make introductions.  By volunteering, you get the opportunity to meet other students in your field and you are given a ready-made excuse to interact with the professionals attending.  There are also a number of other great events for students to attend and be involved in such as the Ethics Bowl, the Past Presidents Reception, and the Student Subcommittee to the Academic and Professional Training Committee.

So yes, attending a professional conference with some of the biggest names in archaeology can be extremely daunting, but the benefits of attending should far outweigh any fears undergraduate students might have. I would encourage all students to attend a professional conference, such as the Society for Historical Archaeology’s annual meeting, while they are still undergraduates.  Attending in 2016 was completely worth giving up a few days of my winter break to further my passion for historical archaeology and my career.  There is nothing more rewarding than being in a room of people who share your passion.  Having the opportunity to meet students of archaeology from across the country was equaling rewarding.  The students of today will be the professionals of tomorrow.  We should relish the opportunity to meet our future colleagues and interact with them.  So the next time a professor or fellow student suggests you should attend a conference, jump on it.  Conferences are occasions for learning, so as students we should seize every opportunity.

Megan Sirak

East Carolina University

In January 2016 Washington D.C. hosted the 49^th Annual Conference on Historical and Underwater Archaeology.  I was encouraged by one of my professors to attend as he thought it would benefit me.  He could not have been more correct.

While attending a professional conference as an undergraduate student may seem daunting, it is entirely worthwhile. As an undergraduate you are not always expected to present a paper or poster as most graduate students and professionals do in this forum.  This allows younger students to sit back and observe conference proceedings.  If you as a student are anticipating attending graduate school you will be expected to present your research one day.  The best way to overcome the initial nerves and misgivings that come with professional presentations is to first observe them as a bystander.  We have all had to do presentations in our undergraduate careers, but the types of presentations and talks given at the professional level, such as at the SHA’s annual meeting, is a completely different animal.  Having the opportunity to observe numerous presentations not only gives undergraduate students an idea of what will be expected of them in the future, but it also opens their eyes to the broad spectrum of research being conducted in archaeology today.  I personally began studying anthropology and archaeology late in my undergraduate career.  Attending numerous symposiums on a number of topics at this conference educated me on how diverse archaeology is.  

Although observation is a luxury for many undergraduates, I do not believe younger conference attendees should be passive in their conference experience. Attending professional conferences is a fantastic way to network, ask questions, and practice professionalism.  The workshops offered are an excellent way to expand your knowledge on a particular topic.  Volunteering at the conference is also a great way to make introductions.  By volunteering, you get the opportunity to meet other students in your field and you are given a ready-made excuse to interact with the professionals attending.  There are also a number of other great events for students to attend and be involved in such as the Ethics Bowl, the Past Presidents Reception, and the Student Subcommittee to the Academic and Professional Training Committee.

So yes, attending a professional conference with some of the biggest names in archaeology can be extremely daunting, but the benefits of attending should far outweigh any fears undergraduate students might have. I would encourage all students to attend a professional conference, such as the Society for Historical Archaeology’s annual meeting, while they are still undergraduates.  Attending in 2016 was completely worth giving up a few days of my winter break to further my passion for historical archaeology and my career.  There is nothing more rewarding than being in a room of people who share your passion.  Having the opportunity to meet students of archaeology from across the country was equaling rewarding.  The students of today will be the professionals of tomorrow.  We should relish the opportunity to meet our future colleagues and interact with them.  So the next time a professor or fellow student suggests you should attend a conference, jump on it.  Conferences are occasions for learning, so as students we should seize every opportunity.

Megan Sirak

East Carolina University