Archaeology Workshop
Belle Grove Plantation was established in 1670 from a land grant given to Thomas Chetwood and John Prossor by Governor William Berkeley. But the land of present-day Belle Grove Plantation and its occupation span back thousands of years. Artifacts found on the property date as far back as 8,000 BC.
The James Madison Belle Grove Foundation was established in July 2015 with the PRIME Mission of preserving, restoring, improving, maintaining and educating the public about Belle Grove and its amazing American History. We are excited to offer a new opportunity that has long been in the works for our foundation.
This week-long educational experience is a hands-on workshop where you will be working side-by side with a professional and student archaeologists at Belle Grove Plantation. The purpose of this workshop is to introduce interested people, including members of the local community, to the practice and pleasures of archaeological research. The focus is the 18th-century occupation of Belle Grove and the earlier Indigenous occupation of this portion of the Rappahannock River Valley.
Using the catalogs from previous testing to prepare a map of where artifacts were found and to identify places to dig for this workshop.
Proper methods for washing artifacts recovered from the investigations.
Documentary research. Participants will use on-line archival sources to understand what happened on the property.
Visit the Rappahannock Tribal Center
The workshop hours will be from 9:00am to 3:00pm. Digging will happen in the morning with an indoor activity after lunch. Workshop participants would need to bring their own lunch and will have 30 minutes for lunch.
Not everyone can take a week off from work to experience this amazing event. We are offering daily spaces for up to 10 people per day. Pick the days you want to come and enjoy the fun one to five days, its up to you!
Select the dates you want to come and purchase each day.
Daily Cost per person – $99.00
Don’t want to worry about your lunch? Purchase one of our Lunch Boxes and lunch will be ready for you!
Choice of Chicken Salad, Tuna Salad or Egg Salad on Croissant with Potato or Pasta Salad, Fruit, Cookie and Bottle of Water.
Cost per box – $25.00
Tickets are non-refundable