DERWOOD, MD—The Montgomery County Department of Parks with the Archaeology Society of Maryland, Mid-Potomac Chapter hosts its seventh annual Archaeology Day at Needwood Mansion, 6700 Needwood Road in Derwood, from 10:00 am through 3:00 pm on Saturday, May 1.
“Archaeology Day is really an introduction to archaeology for all ages,” said Department of Parks Archaeologist Heather Bouslog. “Previous participants have found antique toys, pottery pieces, animal bones—and some have even found a new career or brand new hobby!”
Archaeology Day features a public dig at Needwood Mansion with Parks Archaeologist Heather Bouslog and archaeology program volunteers. The day’s activities also include tours of the Needwood Mansion, storytelling and old-time games and crafts. The cost is $8 per person and $15 per family. Participants are reminded to bring a bag lunch and to wear digging clothes.
The Department of Parks archaeology program, identifies, manages and interprets over 200 archaeological sites on parkland. The program is supported by a dedicated team of 60 volunteers. This year, they have been digging around Zeigler Log House in Clarksburg and the Miles House in Little Bennett Regional Park. The team has also conducted extensive field work at the Josiah Henson Historic Site, where they are looking for the outbuildings on the farmstead which would include slave housing, meat house, sheds, cellars and stables.
Volunteer opportunities are available year-round with the parks archaeology program. There are also summer camps for children (ages 9 -13) and teens (ages 14 and up) in archaeology this June and July.
For more on the Department of Parks archaeology program, including volunteer opportunities and information on summer camps, visit www.ParksArchaeology.org.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866