IL-4053
March 27-31, 2012 (including weekends)
Must commit to minimum of 2 days
All is quiet in the woods surrounding the Illinois Furnace today, but in the years before the Civil War, the night sky was lit up all night long as the workers loaded charge after charge of limestone, iron ore, and charcoal to produce 'pig' iron (crude iron melted in a blast furnace and poured into moulds in preparation for making wrought iron, steel alloys, etc.). The Illinois Iron Furnace seemed to be alive as it roared: the water wheel pumping the bellows gave the furnace a rhythm - almost like a beating heart - as it droned on through the night. The Furnace was built in 1837, and offered employment to at least 62 individuals who manufacture pig iron while their families cooked, cleaned, and went to school. By 1850, there were miners, laborers, colliers, teamsters, blacksmiths, moulders, carpenters, engineers and furnace keepers; at least three African-American families worked here. We want to learn as much as possible about the people living in the shadows of the Furnace - and to bring their stories to life once again. Volunteers will participate in an archaeological inventory of the hills surrounding the Furnace in order to locate the activity areas related to the manufacture of pig iron, and to identify the remains of workers' houses and the community's cemetery, said to be located on a high hill overlooking Big Creek and the Furnace complex. We hope you'll join us for a hike into Illinois' past this spring!
Number of openings: 12
Special skills: Archaeological survey and/or artifact identification experience helpful, but not required
Minimum age: 12 years old; under 18 with a responsible adult
Facilities: Tent and RV camping available in surrounding area; fees may apply, amenities vary (Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, San Damiano Retreat Center, and Cave-in-Rock State Park are within 15 miles of project area); Elizabethtown and Golconda are full-service communities with hotels/motels, B&Bs, restaurants, and a range of other amenities; volunteers responsible for own lodging/personal camping equipment, food, water, and transportation
Nearest towns: Elizabethtown, 3 miles; Cave-in-Rock, 13 miles; Golconda, 19 miles
Applications due: January 23, 2012