Miller Grove 2020 - Passport in Time

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Illinois - Shawnee NF
Closed! The Archaeology of Freedom: Investigating Miller Grove

Picture1.jpg by US Forest Service
Miller Grove


IL-4441
June 15-20, 2020 (including weekends)
Volunteers must commit to entire session

We are back at Miller Grove this year, once again working with our partners at Southern Illinois University to conduct survey and excavation. Through these archaeological investigations, we will continue to uncover bits and pieces of past life in this pre-Civil War, free African-American community. This year work will focus on the rural farmstead of Harrison and Lucinda Miller. Harrison and Lucinda Miller and all seven of their children were manumitted in Marshall County, Tennessee, and traveled to southern Illinois in the 1840s to begin a new life as free people of color. They were soon joined by six other families to build the community that came to be known as Miller Grove. So please join us in June as we learn more about this unique community nestled in the heart of the Shawnee National Forest!

Number of openings: 12

Special skills: Previous archaeological excavation, survey, mapping, sketching/photography, and/or artifact identification experience helpful, but not required

Minimum age: 10 years old; applicants under the age of 18 must apply with a parent or guardian; guardian MUST submit a separate application and plan to attend

Facilities: Tent and RV camping are available at Lake Glendale on the Shawnee National Forest. Each campsite has a fire ring, grill and picnic table. Potable water, restrooms/showers, and trash receptacles are available within the campground. There is a dump station and fresh water fill at entrance/exit of the campground. Metropolis, IL or Harrisburg, IL are full-service communities with a number of motels, restaurants, and a range of other amenities. Volunteers are responsible for own lodging/camping equipment, meals, and daily transportation to and from designated meeting area(s) each day.

Nearest towns: Project based out of Glendale; Vienna, 14 miles; Metropolis, 24 miles; Harrisburg, 24 miles

Applications due:Closed

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