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Bladensburg Archaeology
Bladensburg, a suburban community located approximately 2 miles to the
northeast of the Washington DC border, has had a long and steadily evolving
history. It was founded as a tobacco trading port in 1742, nearly 60
years before the Washington, DC. It served as a major port for tobacco
trading in Maryland, until erosion prevented its major artery - the
Anacostia River – from being navigable. Later, the town became
an important stopping point along transportation routes across the Mid
Atlantic. It was also the location of a major battle in the War of 1812,
a recreation destination for city dwellers, and eventually a suburban
bedroom community for federal workers. Today, criss-crossed by transportation
routes and swathed in late-twentieth century industrial and commercial
development, the long historical origins of the town are heavily obscured
to the casual observer.
 The
Cultural Resources Section of the State Highway Administration (SHA),
in collaboration with the Center for Heritage Resource Studies (CHRS)
at the Department of Anthropology at the University of Maryland,
began the Bladensburg Archaeology Project in the Spring of 2009
to explore this rich heritage. Since the initiation of the project
three archaeological sites were excavated, documentary and deed
research conducted and architectural inventories compiled. Throughout
this process the collaborating partners have undertaken a civic
engagement program designed to enable the community to participate
in the project. Overall the goals of the civic engagement initiative
include the following:
1) To investigate the history and material culture of the four
sites using a collaborative approach with the public;
2) Inspire public discourse about local history and support an
existing community of people inspired to think about and preserve
local history; and
3) Educate tourists and community members, particularly the youth
of Bladensburg and greater Prince George’s County, about the
findings of the research component of the project, and the process
of archaeological research in general.
 The
program includes: electronic media, public site tours and participation,
and project attendance at local civic events. The public outreach component
began a few weeks before excavations commenced at the first of three
eighteenth century structures to be explored in this first phase of
the project. Using the model of the Hampden Community Archaeology Project
the project began with an initial public history workshop. The purpose
of the workshop was to communicate the plans and goals of the project
to the community, receive feedback, and inspire a collaborative and
open dialogue throughout the course of the project. The workshop included
a talk about local history, followed by an open dialogue about community
interests in the project. A second workshop was presented in late summer following
the completion of excavations. Along with a local history lecture, artifact
presentation and a summary of findings were presented. A discussion
followed about local interest in the project. The workshops have been
successful in providing project staff with research leads, access to
community social networks and, more generally, an opportunity to share
enthusiasm for the project. The public has responded with increasing
support and interest in the project.
During excavations a project blog was updated daily
with narratives from project staff. As collaborating partners and members
of the public joined the project, they were encouraged to contribute
blog entries as well. This updating continues as artifacts are catalogued
and processed, research projects are completed and future events are
planned. In the coming year the collaboration between the State Highway
Administration, the Center for Heritage Resource Studies and community
partners will continue with a new round of excavations and research.
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