College GIS Lab to Unveil 3-D Images that Recreate Historic Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment

CHESTERTOWN, MD—On Thursday, April 19, the Washington College Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Program will present its 3-D reconstruction of the Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment, an important Revolutionary War garrison in New Jersey. The presentation will begin at 7:30 p.m in the Litrenta Lecture Hall, Toll Science Center, on the College campus (300 Washington Avenue). On hand to explain the project will be Dr. John Seidel, an archaeologist and director of the Center for Environment and Society at Washington College. He will be joined by Stewart Bruce, the coordinator of the GIS lab, and student interns who worked on the project. The presentation is free and open to the public.

The Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment was the winter headquarters of General Knox and the Continental Artillery in late 1778 and early 1779 and is considered to be the nation’s first military academy. Using archeological findings and other historical records, the Washington College GIS Lab created a preliminary reconstruction of the site, which once held barracks, officers' quarters, workshops, and warehouses. At its heart was an academy building for military training.

In creating the 3-D maps of the site, student interns in the GIS lab used computerized mapping software such as Google Sketchup and GeoWeb3D to convert geographic and archeological data into the 3-D maps. Historians are especially excited about how GIS systems can be used to create interactive maps of now-nonexistent historical sites. At the Pluckemin site, for example, the only surviving building is the Jacobus Vanderveer House, General Knox’s former headquarters.

“This cantonment was a remarkable accomplishment,” says John Seidel, who served as the Pluckemin Archeological Project leader in the 1980s and continues to head a consortium working on the extensive artifact collection. “And it is just as remarkable that the complex was abandoned after just one winter. It was used the next winter as a hospital, but after that it reverted to field and forest.” Seidel narrates a video about the site on the Cantonment web site.

Throughout the 1980s, a non-profit group supported surveying and excavation work that provided the foundation for the historical interpretation happening at the site today. The preliminary 3-D reconstruction of the Cantonment being presented on the 19th was commissioned by the Friends of the Jacobus Vanderveer House. It will help the Jacobus Vanderveer House Museum interpret the historic site for visitors and explain its significance in American history. The GIS Lab hopes this reconstruction might lead to a more detailed visualization in the near future and has submitted a proposal for continuing the project.

For more information about the 3-D reconstruction of the Pluckemin Artillery Cantonment or the Washington College Geographic Information Systems Program, please visit gis.washcoll.edu and www.jvanderveerhouse.com.

CES and Friends Host Full Moon Paddle at Eastern Neck Island

Chestertown, MD — The Center for Environment & Society (CES) at Washington College and the Friends of Eastern Neck, Inc., are sponsoring a Full Moon Kayaking event at Eastern Neck Island on Tuesday, September 16, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Rendezvous at Bogles Wharf at 5:30 p.m.

The event is free and open to the public. Bring your own kayak, PFD, and paddle. Or pre-register by September 12 to reserve Washington College equipment. To register, and for more information, call 410/778-7295 or contact mwiest2@washcoll.edu.

Center Director John Seidel and Project Coordinator Mark Wiest will lead the ecology trip, giving a brief overview of recent oyster restoration efforts at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The Center for Environment & Society works to instill a conservation ethic by connecting people to the land and water. It supports interdisciplinary research and education, exemplary stewardship of natural and cultural resources, and the integration of ecological and social values. For more information, visit ces.washcoll.edu or call 410-810-7161.

The Friends of Eastern Neck, Inc. is a non-profit organization that supports the missions of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Eastern Neck NWR through financial, advocacy, and volunteer support. To learn more about volunteer opportunities through the Friends of Eastern Neck, Inc. visit www.fws.gov/northeast/easternneck/ or call (410) 639-7056.

September 3, 2008

Washington College Announces 2003 Summer Field School In Archaeology

Chestertown, MD, April 23, 2003 — The Washington College Department of Sociology and Anthropology is offering a six-week summer archaeological field school from June 2 to July 11, 2003. The eight-credit program—open to both college students and adults—will teach excavation and lab techniques; remote sensing; artifact identification, dating and analysis; and mapping and surveying of archaeological sites using both theodolite and GPS. Hands-on fieldwork at local colonial-era sites will be augmented by lectures and special presentations, laboratory work, and trips to regional sites and museums.
The course will be taught by Dr. John Seidel, assistant professor of anthropology and environmental studies and an expert on Maryland archaeology, underwater archaeology and historic preservation. Activities will be split between the excavation site and the Washington College Public Archaeology Laboratory housed in the College's restored colonial-era Custom House on the Chester River.
Interested students are encouraged to apply early. Limited housing on the Washington College campus may be provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must enroll in ANT 296 Section 10 and 11, Archaeological Field School. Each section carries four credits. Tuition for the eight-credit program is $2,080, excluding housing costs. Other costs include approximately $45 for texts and $20 for tools. For more information and registration forms, contact Dr. John Seidel at 410-778-7756, or via e-mail jseidel2@washcoll.edu.

Washington College To Launch New Transdisciplinary Program in Geographic Information Systems

Chestertown, MD, February 25, 2003 — A $123,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and an anonymous $100,000 foundation grant will help Washington College establish an new transdisciplinary Geographic Information System (Trans-GIS) program at the College. Trans-GIS is state-of-the-art computer-based technology for community and environmental planning, resource management, and business planning. The Trans-GIS program will be structured to include students from across the College's curriculum—computer science, business management, environmental science, archaeology, sociology, history and other disciplines—working with faculty to create a computer-based graphic and analytical GIS tools useful to the Eastern Shore region.

“The ultimate goal of having the Trans-GIS program at Washington College is twofold,” said John Seidel, assistant professor of anthropology and environmental studies, who will develop the program. “First, Trans-GIS will enable Washington College students to learn and understand GIS technology, which is rapidly being applied to subjects ranging from mapping the historical past to planning sustainable futures. Familiarity with GIS will make them more competitive in and prepared for today's technology-based fields. Secondly, Trans-GIS will be a resource in the region through which Washington College students under faculty supervision can become involved in real-world projects that address significant environmental and social concerns on the Eastern Shore.”

The Trans-GIS program will be administered through Washington College's Center for the Environment and Society, which is coordinating outreach programs for the Eastern Shore, such as the recently implemented Rural Communities Leadership Program developed in collaboration with the University of Maryland's Institute for Governmental Service and funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation.

“The Center is especially interested in the working landscapes of the Delmarva Peninsula,” said Dr. Wayne Bell, director of the Center for the Environment and Society. “GIS is a powerful analytical tool that helps us assess how land uses such as agriculture, forestry, and conserved open space are distributed in the region today and, through more informed planning, how such working landscapes can be sustained in the future.”

The Trans-GIS program is made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, founded by the son and daughter of the famed business entrepreneur, banker and philanthropist Andrew Mellon in honor of his memory. The Foundation currently makes grants in six core program areas: higher education, museums and art conservation, performing arts, population, conservation and the environment, and public affairs.

Washington College Offers Summer Field School In Archaeology For Students And Adults

Fieldwork To Focus On Eastern Shore Birthplace Of Harriet Tubman

Chestertown, MD, April 5, 2002 — The Washington College Department of Sociology and Anthropology is offering a six-week summer archaeological field school from June 3 to July 12, 2002. The eight-credit program is open to both college students and adults and will teach excavation and lab techniques, remote sensing, and mapping and surveying of archaeological sites using both theodolite and GPS. Hands-on fieldwork will be augmented by lectures, laboratory work and trips to local sites and museums.

The course will be taught by Dr. John Seidel, assistant professor of anthropology and environmental studies and an expert on Maryland archaeology and historic preservation, and Bonnie Ryan, Jessie Ball DuPont Scholar in sociology and anthropology at the College. Fieldwork will focus on one of the most significant African-American historical sites in Maryland—the birthplace of Harriet Tubman in Dorchester County on the Eastern Shore.Chestertown, MD, April 5, 2002 — The Washington College Department of Sociology and Anthropology is offering a six-week summer archaeological field school from June 3 to July 12, 2002. The eight-credit program is open to both college students and adults and will teach excavation and lab techniques, remote sensing, and mapping and surveying of archaeological sites using both theodolite and GPS. Hands-on fieldwork will be augmented by lectures, laboratory work and trips to local sites and museums.

"This is a hands-on course," said Dr. Seidel. "Much work remains to be done to record and document African-American history in Maryland. Students participating in this course will have a direct role in this process."

There is no formal deadline, but interested students are encouraged to apply early. Limited housing on the Washington College campus will be provided to enrollees on a first-come, first-served basis. Students must enroll in ANT 296 Section 10 and 11, Archaeological Field School. Each section carries four credits. Tuition for the eight-credit program is $1,950, excluding housing costs.

For more information and registration forms, contact Dr. John Seidel at 410-778-7756, or via e-mail john.seidel@washcoll.edu; or Bonnie Ryan, 410-810-7493.