Public Archaeology Dig Oldham County

Public Archaeology Dig

 Celebrate September as the National Park Service National Underground Railroad Month.  Each year the Oldham County History Center hosts archaeology investigations under the direction of archaeologist Jeannine Kreinbrink and Dough VonStrohe. This investigation is part of an ongoing program to document the artifacts and information of the Gatewood Site.  The Gatewood Plantation was the last the last place where Henry Bibb was a slave in Kentucky before he gained freedom by escaping north and later moving to Ipswich, Canada where he became the first black editor of a Canadian newspaper.   

Throughout Bibb’s struggles to overcome slavery he became well educated and made many contacts throughout the United States .  Although he died before the Civil War he has been cited by abolitionists Harriet Beecher Stowe and Fredric Douglas as someone who influenced their thinking.  It is hoped artifacts and information will be found at the archaeological site which documents Henry Bibb’s narratives which can be accessed at www.docsouth.unc.edu/neh/bibb/bibb.html  

Since 2005, each year, the history center sponsors four public archaeology digs, a summer week long field institute and an artifact washing.   The archaeology programs provides hands-on investigation while contributing to our knowledge of life in Kentucky during the Ante-bellum period.  

The public is invited to participate and pre-registration is required. Call the Oldham County History Center at 502-222-0826 or email at info@oldhamkyhistory.com.  The last public dig will be held on Sunday, October 10 from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.  

For more information call (502) 222-0826 or visit oldhamcountyhistoricalsociety.org