Rhode Island Archeology Month – A Month of Activities

The Rhode Island Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission (RIHPHC) presents Rhode Island Archaeology Month throughout October. This program showcases Rhode Island’s rich archaeological heritage through a series of free public educational events led by professional archaeologists.

The calendar of 17 events features hands-on activities at excavation sites, as well as open houses, walking tours, talks, and exhibits. Detailed descriptions are posted at www.preservation.ri.gov/archtober. All events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for the October 17 event at Brown University.

Tuesday, October 3 | 6 – 7pm
Archaeology of Glocester – presentation by RIHPHC Archaeologist Charlotte Taylor Harmony Library, 195 Putnam Pike, Glocester

Saturday, October 7 | 1 – 3pm
Re-excavating the Old State House Parade – hands-on sorting and cataloging artifacts hosted by RIHPHC Archaeologist Charlotte Taylor
Parade Ground behind Old State House, 150 Benefit Street, Providence

Thursday, October 12 | 7pm
History and Archaeology of the URI Campus Landscape – presentation by Dr. Kris Bovy, Dr. Cathy DeCesare, and Dr. Rod Mather
South Kingstown High School, 215 Columbia St, Wakefield

Saturday, October 14 (three events between 11am and 4pm)
• 11am – 12pm Archaeology at the Wilkinson Mill – presentation by Dr. Patrick Malone
• 1 -4pm Archaeology Month Open House – presentations, videos, hands-on activities
• 1:30pm Jenks Settlement Walking Tour – guided walk to explore the founding of Pawtucket Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket

Saturday, October 14 | 11am – 3pm
Archaeology of College Hill Community Archaeology Day – observation and hands-on archaeology with Brown University professors and students
Outside List Art Center, Brown University, Providence (64 College St)

Saturday, October 14 | 11am – 3pm
Uncover Archaeology: Community Archaeology Day – open house with exhibits and activities Joukowsky Institute for Archaeology, R.I. Hall, Brown University (60 George St), Providence

Sunday, October 15 | 1 – 4pm
Archaeology Month Open House – presentations, videos, and hands-on activities Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket

Tuesday, October 17 | noon – 1pm
Behind the Scenes: Engaging the Americas at the Haffenreffer Museum of Archaeology Mellon Grant Project – presentation on HMA’s North American collections led by Dr. Jessica Nelson
In person at Rockefeller Library, Brown University (10 Prospect St), Providence and virtual Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/4d9uvfb7

Tuesday, October 17 | 5 – 7pm
Preservation After Dark – archaeology laboratory open house hosted by Dr. Heather Rockwell Antone Academic Center, Room 105, Salve Regina University, Newport

Saturday, October 21 | 12 – 4pm
Excavations at Old Potterville School –archaeological investigations and hands-on activities hosted by archaeologist Kimberly Smith
316 d Plainfield Pike, Scituate

Saturday, October 21 | 1:30pm
Jenks Settlement Walking Tour – guided walk to explore the founding of Pawtucket Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark, 67 Roosevelt Ave., Pawtucket

Saturday, October 28 | 2 – 3pm
The HMS Gaspee Archaeology Study – exhibit opening with Dr. Kathy Abbass and partners from the Rhode Island Marine Archaeology Project
Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick

Throughout October
Archaeological Examples of Narragansett Indian & Native American Life – presentation by Dr. Joseph
N. Waller
A link to the video will be posted at www.preservation.ri.gov/archtober in October.

Throughout October
Behind the Scenes: Engaging the Americas at the Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology Mellon Grant Project – virtual exhibit
A link to the exhibit will be posted at www.preservation.ri.gov/archtober in October.

Late October (date/time to be announced)
“We wrangled with them for some time:” Conflict Archaeology and the Battle of Rhode Island – presentation by Dr. Joseph N. Waller
(Location to be announced)

Attendees are encouraged to check the website www.preservation.ri.gov/archtober for details before heading out to a program.