(S-13) Archaeology at Lord Stirling Manor – Engaging the Public and Curating the Future of a Lost Country Estate
About this Session
This panel will explore – through the lens of archaeology – the past, present and future of “The Buildings,” the former estate of Revolutionary War General William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling. Owned by Somerset County and operated by the Somerset County Park Commission, this largely unheralded historic property is envisaged as a future major regional heritage tourism destination with a focus on late colonial and Revolutionary War-era archaeology and material culture. The panel will consider the site’s history and architecture, the results of archaeological excavations, and the role of Somerset County and its partners in promoting public engagement and academic opportunity through archaeological field schools and the management of archaeological collections. The County aims to use the Lord Stirling Manor Archaeological Site to highlight the life of one of the less celebrated but key figures of the American Revolution and tell the untold stories of the women, tradespeople and enslaved persons that supported him and his opulent estate. Moderating this dynamic conversation in archaeology, collections management, preservation, and planning for the future is Somerset County Deputy Director Melonie Marano, a champion of cultural and historic preservation in local government.
Presented by
Josephine T. Taranto
Richard Veit
Richard W. Hunter
