Virtual Archeology Lecture: "Digging the Past to Build the Present"

October is designated as Texas Archeology Month by the Texas Historical Commission.  This year the museum will host a virtual archeology lecture "Digging the Past to Build the Present:  How recent archeological work has informed construction at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site" with Dr. Sarah Chesney, site archeologist at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site.

Slated to open in Spring 2021 a new interpretive area at San Felipe de Austin State Historic Site, known as the Villa de Austin is currently under construction. The completed project will consist of six reconstructed buildings and an interpretive landscape representing a section of the main commercial district of San Felipe de Austin as it existed between 1823 and 1836. Additionally, a revamped, ADA-accessible interpretive walking trail connecting the Villa de Austin with the museum is nearing completion.

But how did we get here? This presentation will focus on the archeological investigations that shaped the Villa and location of the pathways, the construction plan, and what has been discovered along the way. Traditional archeological investigations, clearance archeology, and archeological monitoring have all contributed to the current shape of the Villa and the associated interpretive pathways. From the uncovering of a brick basement to the surprise discovery of a stone tool from a modern reference collection, this project is the culmination of nearly ten years of archeological investigations.

The virtual lecture will be held on Facebook LIVE:  https://www.facebook.com/samhouston.memorial.museum/

For more information contact Mikey Sproat, SHMM curator of collections, at 936-294-4895 or email sproat@shsu.edu