Excavate: Blacksmithing Two Day Excavation Expedition
During the 2025 Expedition season, we will be working at Walnut Hollow, a site near the famed Temple where metal detector surveys located several structures believed to be homes for enslaved families,that date from the late 18th into the early 19th century.. This season we will be excavating several home sites of enslaved families as well as the 18th-century blacksmith shop located adjacent to the Temple.
Come join us in utilizing archaeology to explore the concepts of Liberty and Legacy at one of America’s most significant historic sites: James Madison’s Montpelier. Search for clues from the past, excavating side by side with Montpelier’s archaeologists, as we conduct excavations in our efforts to memorialize and understand those who built Montpelier, and learn about the contributions of all those who called Montpelier home. Get behind-the-scenes specialty tours with Montpelier’s experts, and be among the first to conduct lab analysis at the Archaeology Department’s new lab facility, Community Archaeology Lab at Montpelier (CALM).
Two-Day Blacksmithing Expedition
For the Two-Day program, you will join us on Thursday, when we will be hosting a Jeffery Mabry and (a local blacksmith with knowledge of the historic trade) to demonstrate basic blacksmithing techniques and then identify the metal artifacts we have recovered from the site earlier in the week. You will also get to experience the archaeology at the 18th century blacksmith site where we are opening units where metal detector survey has revealed the potential location of a blacksmithing/metal working work area. The week-long participants (see the following program page) will be working at this site Monday-Wednesday prior to the two-day blacksmithing program.
Costs and Deposit
Cost: $380.00 for the program
Deposit: $250.00
We have payment options– a non-refundable deposit is all you need to reserve your space on one of our programs!
Note: Descendants and African-American community members are welcome to attend at no cost
Other Upcoming Programs
Learn more about our other programs here.
If you have any questions, please email: Dig@montpelier.org
