The Leelanau County Historic Preservation Society
and the Michigan Archaeological Society (MAS), along with the Northwest Michigan Chapter of MAS
Presented An
Archaeological Discovery Day for Students
May 18th 2024 • Leelanau County Poor Farm Site
at Miles Kimmerly Park, Rain Date May 19, 2024
HISTORY In the year 1901, the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners purchased the 120 acre Burke farm to establish the Leelanau County Poor Farm that would help county residents in need. The Poor Farm served scores of residents and grew to about ten structures until farming stopped in the mid-1960s. Gradually, all farm structures were dismantled except for the barn. Residents were moved into a new nursing home for continued care.
TRAINING AND HANDS-ON LEARNING Our archaeological investigation will identify locations of the original buildings as sites for archaeological investigation. Goals of this ‘dig’ will be recovery, identification, and cataloging of artifacts that have educational or interpretive value. Artifacts will be included and preserved in a Leelanau County Historical Society Museum collection, dedicated to documenting information about life at the Leelanau County Poor Farm.
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE SOUGHT FOR PARTICIPATION
Interested in archaeology or in investigating these practices? The day will include training about basic archaeology and field-work approaches. Professional and avocational archaeologists will lead each team. Team members will include three or four students, with one or two avocational and professional archaeologists.
PARTCIPANTS WILL
– Work with professional and avocational archaeologists
– Learn the language of Archaeology
– Identify what to look for at a new site
– Learn how to layout a reconnaissance level grid
– Learn how to dig in a proper professional archaeological method
