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Community Archaeology Experience
Be part of history in the making! Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park (HMFP) invites you to “Stories Surround Us: A Community Archaeological Experience” on Saturday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 40 Harriet Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island.
This free, hands-on event lets you work alongside real archaeologists as they uncover the past and prepare the site for HMFP’s future Visitor Center. Thanks to the Alice L. Walton Foundation grant, this special day marks the first of two community events in the “Stories Surround Us” project. The grant also funds “Dig Mitchelville,” a new digital archive that will share archaeological findings with the community.
“We want to thank the Walton Family Foundation for their generous support that helps bring Mitchelville’s history to life for everyone,” said Ahmad Ward, executive director of Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. “We are also so thankful to our community for their excitement about this project.”
What You Can Do at the Event:
- Dig a real archaeological test pit with expert guidance (online registration required)
- Search for historic artifacts in soil from the first free Black town in the American South
- Learn how archaeologists decide where to excavate
- Be a part of the preparation for the future Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park Visitor’s Center
- Bring kids for fun Kid’s Dig activities designed just for them
No registration is needed to attend this free event. Simply show up and join the activities. To dig a shovel test pit, please sign up for a time slot online in advance (required).
Visit digmitchelville.org for more information.
Your discoveries on May 31st will help archaeologists understand what lies beneath Mitchelville’s historic grounds as the park plans for a new Visitor Center and will be shared at a town hall event this fall.
Event Details:
What: Stories Surround Us: A Community Archaeological Experience
Cost: Free (Sign Up is Required for the shovel test pit activities only)
To Learn More & Register for the Shovel Test Pit Activity: Visit digmitchelville.org
For Questions Regarding the Dig and Digital Archive:
Contact Dr. Katherine Seeber of Carolina Community Archaeology, lead archaeologist for HMFP, at (843) 255-7301 or kseeber@exploremitchelville.org. For all other questions, visit exploremitchelville.org or call 843-255-7301.