SIGN UP TODAY

The Old Berwick Historical Society is now accepting applicants for its hands-on summer archaeology opportunity for college and upper level high school students, teachers in need of recertification credits, and history buffs interested in exploring an area with a rich colonial history. (Continued below) 

Dr. Neill De Paoli will direct, for the fourth consecutive year, excavations on the property of Paula and Harvey Bennett in the section of town known long ago as Old Fields. The focus of the dig is the former dwelling, tavern, and garrison house of Humphrey and Mary Spencer who lived there from c. 1696 until 1727. In 1691, Wabanaki war parties attacked the Spencer garrison, then the home of Spencer’s uncle, but were repulsed.

The Olds Fields archaeological field school will be held Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm over a five-week period beginning June 17. Participants, who must be at least 16 years old, have two options: a non-credit program or a course for academic credit.

Non-credit participants may sign up for one or more of the five 1-week sessions running from June 17 to July 5 and July 15 to July 26. Multiple sessions are discounted: week costs $175, two weeks $325, three weeks $475, four weeks $625, and five weeks $775.

To register for the non-credit course, applicants must submit a brief application form with a non-refundable deposit of $100 to the Old Berwick Historical Society by May 20. Forms and more information about the dig and area accommodations are available from De Paoli at 603-766-0561This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..">.  Checks should be made out to “OBHS” and mailed to: Old Berwick Historical Society, P.O. Box 296, South Berwick, ME 03908.

            Individuals seeking academic credit can register for a three-week (June 17- July 5) 3-credit course (HIST-205-01) offered by Southern Maine Community College. To register, log on to the SMCC website (www.smcc.edu), write Enrollment Services, Southern Maine Community College, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, ME  04106, 207-741-5800 or call 877-282-2182 (toll-free for in-state calls).

            “This is a wonderful opportunity to dig into the historic past of one of New England's earliest settlements,” said De Paoli.

“Participants will focus on uncovering a stone structure unearthed last year and try to confirm its association with the late home, tavern, and garrison of early settlers Humphrey and Mary Spencer, who lived here 300 years ago,” he explained.

Archaeologists have unearthed evidence of casement windows from the Spencer home and tavern, along with broken English and European plates, bowls, jugs, and tankards and clay smoking pipes used by the Spencers and their tavern customers. One of the most intriguing discoveries was a 1689 Spanish silver reale (coin) possibly lost by a tavern goer enjoying a mug of ale.