Hendricks House Farm – Shenandoah Valley WV

Location: 5423 Shepherdstown Pike, Shenandoah Junction, WV 25442, USA

Season: May 25, 2020 to July 3, 2020

Session Dates: 25th of May to 3rd of July, 2020 (six weeks)

Application Deadline: May 18, 2020

Deadline Type: Contact for Details

Website: https://www.hood.edu/academics/departments/department-art-archaeology

Program Type:
Field School

RPA Certified:
This project is an RPA certified field school

Affiliation:
Hood College, MD

Project Director:
Dr. David R. Hixson, PhD, RPA

Project Description:

ONLINE Archaeological Field School
“BACKYARD ARCHAEOLOGY”

Dr. Hixson will be excavating the Hendricks House Farm, a middling Shenandoah Valley farmstead founded in 1790.  This historic site is located halfway between the Civil War battlefields of Antietam and Harper’s Ferry, and now serves as Dr. Hixson’s personal residence.

Excavations will be broken up into video demonstrations of all steps in the process of archaeological research, from surveying to stratigraphic test excavations, streamed live and pre-recorded to the students.

Meanwhile, students will be following along in their own backyards.  Each field school student will research their own property, map the excavation area, practice shovel tests and stratigraphic excavations, and produce a report on their archaeological research as their final project.

Period(s) of Occupation: Various - Focus on Historic Shenandoah Valley, WV.

Notes:
Class requirements: • Ability to conduct moderate to strenuous physical activity. • Access to a 2 x 2-meter area that can be disturbed by excavations to a depth of less than 1 meter. Gardens are perfect options (or you can convert your excavations into a new garden). • Verification that there are no utilities or other hazards within that 2 x 2-meter area. • Express legal permission to excavate on this land. Hood College is not responsible for any permitting that may be required under local HOA or residential codes. • The ability to conduct this fieldwork while maintaining proper social distancing guidelines. • Home internet with capability of basic live streaming of video files and zoom sessions. • Ability to print paperwork. • Cell Phone / Tablet / Portable Laptop that can be used outside.

Project Size: 1-24 participants

Minimum Length of Stay for Volunteers: Online

Minimum Age: 18

Experience Required: No experience required

Room and Board Arrangements:
None - Students will be excavating their own backyards.

Academic Credit:
3 or 6 upper level credits through Hood College (with options to Audit for no credit at a reduced rate)