Delaware Valley Archaeology and History Symposium held in New Castle on Dec. 7, 2019

On Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the Archaeological Society of Delaware and the New Castle Historical Society, presented the “Delaware Valley Archaeology and History Symposium.” Held at the at the Arsenal building, headquarters of the Historical Society, located at 30 Market St. in New Castle, Del., the event featured seven scholarly presentations exploring different facets of the history and archaeology of the lower Delaware Valley. A full schedule of the day’s activities is included below.

Attended by 54 participants, the presentations were all well-received, with good audience participation in question/answer periods following each.

Schedule of events

9:30 a.m.
Introduction

9:45 a.m.
How Oral History Shone Light on a Forgotten Hall
An exploration of the Hall Cemetery in Sussex County.
John W. Martin

10:15 a.m.
Stories in Stone: Evolving Settlement Patterns, Building Traditions, and Religious Practices at Newark Union Church and Cemetery
Dr. Andreya Mihaleow

11:15 a.m.
“Whereon Ye Ould Foart Stood:” A Summary of Archaeological Investigations at Fort Casimir, City of New Castle
Wade Catts

Illustration of Fort Casimir
Image of Fort Casimir after it had been captured by the Swedes, improved and renamed Fort Trefalddighet.

10:45 a.m.
A Progress Report on the Archaeology of the John Bell Tavern Site, Dover, Delaware
John McCarthy

1:30 p.m.
Changing the ‘View’ at Buena Vista: A Holistic Look at an Agricultural Landscape
Catherine Morrissey

2:00 p.m.
Cultural Resources in the 21st Century: Legacy, Loss, and Adaptation on the Delaware Bay
Dr. Heather Wholey

2:30 p.m.
Avery’s Rest: An Anthropological Genetic Investigation
Raquel Fleskes

Archaeologists and volunteers working at the Avery’s Rest site.
Archaeologists and volunteers working at the Avery’s Rest site.