Friday, December 26, 2008

Julian Adams, Certified Local Government Coordinator to speak in Chester January 18th

Following the Chester Historical Society's Annual Meeting and Election of 2009 Officers at the 1915 Erie Station in Historical in downtown Chester at about 2:30 pm on Sunday, January 18th, 2009, the public is invited to hear:
Julian Adams,
Community Liaison and Certified Local Government Coordinator for the New York State Historic Preservation Office, speaking in Chester on the Certified Local Government Program.

 Julian's talk may interest IOCCNYSAA members because an integral part of the Certified Local Government Program are local protections for cultural assets which would include archaeological sites.

Historic Preservation has long roots in American History, although many seem to think it is a modern idea. Learn where the historic preservation movement began in the United States, how it developed philosophically and in practice, and what local communities and citizens can do to be a part of maintaining their character and sense of place. Downtown and Uptown Chester and Sugar Loaf are places that have character which have survived but are threatened!

This program helps to sustainably maintain the unique character of a community while opening up various support and funding resources to both the involved municipalities and property owners.

Link to more Certified Local Government Program info:
nysparks.state.ny.us/shpo/certified/index.htm

Julian’s Bio:
Julian Adams is the Community Liaison and Certified Local Government Coordinator for the New York State Historic Preservation Office. A native of Georgia, he holds a Masters of Historic Preservation from the University of Georgia at Athens. After a brief time in private consulting, he took a job in the Technical Services Unit of the SHPO in 1988, overseeing rehabilitations and restorations across New York State under federal and state programs. During a sabbatical from the SHPO in 1995-1996, he worked with the Historic Natchez Foundation in Natchez Mississippi, overseeing low income housing development in historic neighborhoods, working with the local preservation commission and planning department, and assisting in heritage education. In 2000 he was named head of the Technical Services Unit, overseeing all rehabilitations and restorations across New York State, a position he held until 2004. In 2005 he took a position as Sr. Architectural Historian/Historic Preservation Specialist with a nation-wide environmental consulting firm out of Dallas, Texas, where he traveled around the US working with military bases in their responsibilities to identify historic resources under Federal Historic Preservation law. He returned to state service in 2006 as Community Liaison and Certified Local Government Coordinator, assisting communities and municipalities across New York State with their preservation issues.


For more info and a copy of the flyer:

Or email the Chester Historical Society at: chester.historical@mac.com

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

First Call for Papers 93rd NYSAA Annual Meeting

The Lewis Henry Morgan Chapter New York State Archaeological Association


First Call for Papers 93rd Annual Meeting

New York State Archaeological Association

April 17, 18 and 19, 2009


The Lewis Henry Morgan Chapter, NYSAA, is pleased to announce the First Call for Papers for the 93rd Annual Meeting of the New York State Archaeological Association. The meeting will be held at the gracious Woodcliff Resort and Spa, located high up in the hills near Victor, with spectacular views of the Rochester skyline and the surrounding countryside. We envision this as a very special "destination" meeting at competitive prices, thanks to our off-season dates. The hotel is located at 199 Woodcliff Drive, Fairport, NY 14450. Complete directions can be obtained at www.woodcliffhotelspa.com


The resort is conveniently located just off the New York State Thruway and within an easy connection to the Rochester bus and train stations. Nearby attractions include the Ganondagan State Historic Site, Rochester Museum and Science Center and the Valentown Museum. Shopping and dining opportunities include the Casa Larga Vineyard, Eastview Mall and the New York Wine and Culinary Center. 


The program will be chaired by Douglas Pippin. Abstracts in MS Word are preferred and should be emailed to pippin@oswego.edu. Alternatively, a hard copy may be mailed to: Douglas Pippin, Department of Anthropology, 310 Mahar Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126. Deadline for submissions is March 15, 2009.


In addition to your mailing address, please include your email address and your Chapter or At-Large Affiliation with your abstract, and any AV equipment that you will need for your presentation. Additionally, if you would like to display a poster, please note that a table will be made available, you will have to provide all other display needs for your poster.


We hope to see you in April of 2009 at the Woodcliff Resort for the 93rd Annual Meeting of the New York State Archaeological Association!


Friday, December 19, 2008

Tonight's meeting cancelled due to weather!

The major snow storm forecast for today has, indeed arrived, blanketing the region in white.
December 19, 2008 meeting cancelled.

Ho! Ho! Ho! & Happy New Year to all!

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

“The Archaeologist” Vol. 10, December, 2008 issued!

The Archaeologist” has been mailed to all members in good standing. - If you haven’t recieved yours, contact Ray or use the email link on this page to let us know.


Here are a few excerpts:

Meeting Notice: The December meeting will be held on Friday, December 19 at 7:30 P.M. Member Angela Nardo will present an illustrated talk about Rock Art Ranch, a petroglyph site in Joseph, Arizona. Bring a friend to see these amazing slides.


*****

President's Message: 

Dear members: For the past four years it has been my pleasure to serve this organization as president. I have been truly fortunate to see our group grow and prosper. Of all the things we have achieved, I am most proud to see us out reaching the community and sharing our passion for archaeology. Over the course of my own brief involvement with this science I have witnessed much change to our natural world and in many cases a silent victim of this has been our cultural resources which lay buried below in our soils unable to ever emerge and tell the story of America's past as only they can. We as members can help make these artifacts and traces meaningful by sharing the knowledge we possess with others. 

President Johnson will need all of our support to continue our growth and well being in the years ahead. We will be hosting the 2010 Spring meeting which will be demanding of our time and talents, we have started several new ventures and we have returned to the field. There is something for everyone to do and I would encourage each to do their part. As a final thank you to all of you who have participated and helped our chapter during my shift I am truly grateful. May each and everyone of you enjoy this holiday season and keep well in the New Year. Sincerely, Kevin Storms, President.

*****

Symposium: President Kevin Storms and Dinner Chailman Chairman Chuck Tudor, assisted by several members, organized our first symposium. Attenda

nce was excellent, congratulations to all who contributed. A day of lectures and demonstrations, displays and just good conversation was followed by a catered dinner of excellent quality. Retiring President Kevin Storms was presented with a plaque commemorating his service as well as memorable artifact crafted by member Gary Sipila and named in his honor.

The Orange County Chapter, NYSAA, has completed its 50th year with a long list of accomplishments and contributions to NYS archaeology. Today, the chapter is growing and moving into new areas of interest induding the study of lithic technology and weaponry. We have begun publishing our Occasional Papers series, a venue for members to report sites and special artifacts. We have positioned ourselves as the eyes and cars of the NYS museum with respect to local archaeology. Most of all we have finally reached an understanding with the political structure in Orange County by which is now insured the preservation of Dutchess Quarry Caves Complex, ending 40 years of confrontational relations with the County.


*****

The Incorporated Orange County Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association normally meets monthly on the third Friday, 7:30 pm in the community room of the Goshen Methodist Church, 115 Main St, Goshen, NY 10924.  Please enter by the side door on Court Lane. The community room is one flight up and to your right.

Sunday, November 30, 2008

December 19th Meeting, plus Program by Angela Alongi Nardo

Angela, a professional speech language pathologist, will talk about petroglyphs from her recent tour of sites in Arizona. 

 

- - - - -

The Program is free and open to the public.

- - - - -


The monthly meetings of the Incorporated Orange County Chapter of the New York State Archaeological Association usually meet on the third Friday at 7:30 pm are held in the community room of the Goshen Methodist Church, 115 Main St, Goshen, NY 10924. Use the Court Lane entrance - one flight up.


No meetings in July or August.


Friday, November 28, 2008

Cadwallader Colden Mansion Ruins update



The Colden Mansion Ruins are located in the Town of Montgomery, New York, USA, along NY 17K, at the intersection of Stone Castle Road and Route 17K. The stone walls and foundations, still visible in the woods just off the road, are all that still stands from the house built in 1767 by Cadwallader Colden Jr., son of Cadwallader Colden ( February 7, 1688 – September 20, 1776 ) was a physician, farmer, surveyor, botanist, and a lieutenant governor for the Province of New York. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colden_Mansion_Ruins>


------

To All Interested in the Colden Mansion Ruins Heritage Park project -
 
GREAT NEWS!  On Thursday, November 13th, the Town of Montgomery Town Board approved the expenditure of up to $125,000 for the first phase of the stabilization of the Colden Mansion ruins.  This is a tremendous step towards preserving this historic site and the development of a heritage park.  It is now time to get to work to define the scope of work for our consultants from Stephen Tilly Architect, so that they may develop the necessary bidding documents.
 
A work session has been scheduled for Monday, December 1st, at 7:00 PM in the Town Board room (2nd Floor) of Town of Montgomery Town Hall at 110 Bracken Road.  Representatives from Stephen Tilly Architect will be there to work with us as we determine how we want to approach the following issues:  (1) bracing the entire structure; (2) bracing rough openings (doors, windows, chimneys); and (3) capping the upper walls.  The goal is for the team from Stephen Tilly Architect to leave this work session with directives for developing the bid documents for the solutions we choose.  As you can understand, YOUR INPUT IS VITAL FOR THIS INITIAL PHASE OF THE EMERGENCY STABILIZATION.
 
Marion Brown has been in contact with an arborist and will bring us up to date on the issue of tree removal at the site.  Also, I will present some information from Stacey Matson-Zuvic regarding filling in the cisterns.
 
Other exciting news is that we now have the mortar analysis for the main mansion ruins.  This will enable us to approach masonry work based on solid historical evidence.  Copies of the report will be available for you to look at at the work session.
 
Please feel free to forward this message to any interested parties.  This is an exciting opportunity to develop a new park for our region at a site with tremendous significance and potential. 
 
I look forward to seeing you on Monday evening.
 
Best regards,
 
Suzanne Isaksen
Town of Montgomery Historian

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

No November meeting on the third Friday.

The Chapter's 50th Anniversary Archaeological Symposium/Annual Diner held November 8th replaces the regular meeting.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

50th Anniversary Archaeological Symposium


The Chapter's 50th Anniversary Archaeological Symposium opened to a large and enthusiastic crowd Saturday at 10 am in Orange Hall at the  SUNY/Orange Middletown Campus



Here, members Ray and June, at the entrance table, examine Jean's artifacts collected by her mother decades ago in the New Jersey interior and the along the Atlantic shore in Cape May.


Prof. Barry Kass led off the lecture series before a nearly full house with his review of Dutchess Quarry Caves, which is among the earliest known inhabited sites in the northeast and one of extraordinarily few North American sites that contain evidence of human presence from the glacial period through the colonial times.

Ginny completes a certificate commemorating the shell and bead necklace assembled by Hailey from objects she uncovered from the mock dig table.
  

Dave examines South American pottery brought in by attendee.
 

Kevin, Jon and Joe discussing a topic.


Ray and Gary making their points about this reproduction lithic knife.



Flintnappers, Are Tsirk (a fracture analysis specialist in addition to a master napper), Brian, Gary and Joe held center stage demonstrating various techniques and awed the audience with their mastery in crafting points, flakes, scrapers and all manner of objects.


Brian discusses fire starting techniques.


Dave closed the lecture session with a dynamic talk about the types of organic materials that where probably used, but rarely survive the ages in our Northeast environments. He has noted that most hunter-gatherer cultures around the world have developed similar technologies for survival, such as this bow and two piece arrow - long shaft with detachable foreshaft/projectile point.
He theorizes that it is likely that people in this area used similar technologies.  Here he demonstrates how people use a head-basket to collect food, tossing in the basket as they pick it.

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The hall was transformed and the 2009 edition of our Annual Dinner followed.





Following dessert,  Ray Decker presented retiring President, Kevin Storms, with this specially commissioned "Bi-stemmed Point" to commemorate his dedicated service to the Chapter and for all the untyped fragments that Kevin has identified over the years!  Thanks to Gary Sipila for crafting this extraordinary piece!


Annual Dinner Chairman, Chuck, closed the dinner with a rousing expression of thanks to all who made this day such a memorable success!


Monday, October 27, 2008

11/8/2008 50th Anniversary Archeological Symposium & Dinner announcement.

50th Anniversary Archeological Symposium

   Saturday, November 8, 2008 from 10am to 4pm   ¢

The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.


Orange Hall is a universally accessible building located at the corner of Wawayanda and Grandview Avenues, Middletown, NY on the campus of Orange County Community College.

Schedule of events: The schedule of events includes lectures, demonstrations of flintnapping, exhibits, and mini-presentations.



In addition, attendees are invited to bring in artifacts for examination and evaluation by senior members of the association. This is a free service.



Flintknapping is the method of manufacturing stone tools in the tradition of our ancient ancestors. This craft will be demonstrated by 

Gary Sipila and Brian Manning. Attendees will be given the opportunity of a hands-on experience.


Exhibits will consist of various collections of local artifacts plus antiquarian books and chapter memorabilia.



Following the day’s events, a reception will be held from 4:30 to 5 pm, immediately followed by a dinner catered by The Eagle’s Nest. The cost of the reception and dinner is $40, and reservations are required by November 1 and may be made through Chuck Tudor, dinner chair at (845)562-9395.


Lecture schedule


10:30 am–Barry Kass, Professor Emeritus, SUNY Orange: 

"The Dutchess Quarry Caves site near Florida, NY: Key Archaeological Discoveries of the Earliest People to Migrate through the Americas"


12:30 pm–Eugene J. Boesch, PhD, RPA, Senior Archaeologist, Historic Preservation and Archaeology: 

“From Founders to Farmers: An Archaeologist’s View of 19th Century Homes in the Hudson Valley”  Sponsored by the New York Council for the Humanities, Speakers in the Humanities


2:00 pm–William Sandy, RPA: 

“Hansen Rockshelter~A Preliminary Look At A Black Dirt Area Time Capsule”


3:00 pm–David Johnson: “What are we Missing when Investigating Local Archaeological Sites?”


The Symposium is being produced by IOCCNYSAA and presented by OCCC’s Department of Cultural Affairs. Questions may be

 directed to (845)361-1019 or (845)341-489, and cultural@sunyorange.edu

www.sunyorange.edu/lyceum



--------------+|+----------


Annual Chapter Dinner

6 pm

Saturday, November 8, 2008

The 2009 Annual dinner will be served at Orange Hall, catered by The Eagle’s Nest. The cost of the reception and dinner is $40, and reservations are required by November 1 and may be made through Chuck Tudor, dinner chair at (845)562-9395.

All are welcome!


--------------+|+----------

Contacts:

The Symposium is being produced by IOCCNYSAA and presented by Cultural Affairs at SUNY Orange County Community College. Questions may be directed to (845)361-1019 or (845)341-4891, and cultural@sunyorange.edu

www.sunyorange.edu/lyceum.


Or IOCCNYSAA

ioccnysaa@gmail.com

or

President Kevin Storms at 845-361-1019 


© 2008 IOCCNYSAA

Sunday, October 26, 2008

22nd Joint Archaeological And Historical Conference - Saturday, October 25, 2008

At noontime, two dozen invigorated hikers returned from exploring the Crawford (Belcher) and Brennan mine sites, miner's cabin ruins, Indian rockshelters and up a mountain to BLACK ROCK, a sacred site of the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation, in Sterling Forest State Park.  Hike leader was Thomas Fitzpatrick.

Chapter member, Bill Sandy led off the afternoon indoor conference with his analysis of the flotation results from Delaware sites.  An astounding array of archaeobotanical and physically small objects added immeasurably to the understanding of those sites.

Allan S. Gilbert of Fordham University, discussed his investigations as to the age of the famous NY Botanical Garden "Turtle Petroglyph."




Eugene J. Boesch narrated the story of the Jay Mansion "From Farmstead to Mansion: 18th and 19th Century Life at 'The Locusts'" in Pehham, NY.


"The Real Story of the Sterling Furnace, 1736-1923" by Doc Baynes, Sterling Forest State Park Education Ranger and conference host.



Conference mc, Susan Deeks, introduces Jonathan Witcoski who discussed the various geographical information systems and how they can add to archaeological inquiries.



Kathy Fisher from the Montville Township Historic Preservation Commission gave the story of saving and restoring the eighteenth century "Henry Doremus House - New Netherlands Heritage."



Nancy L. Gibbs of the North Jersey Highlands Historical Society happened upon a nineteenth century NY Times article that mentioned an emigrant train accident near Tuxedo. Her curiosity piqued, she researched and related the fascinating tail of the railroad's practices in promoting settlements along their rights of way.


Incorporated Orange County Chapter Of The New York State Archeological Association President, Kevin Storms,  closed the conference with the most sincere appreciation to Edward J. Lenik for his efforts in organizing this most enjoyable and successful event:


Program Chair: Edward J. Lenik: Inc.OCC, NYSAA, ASNJ and NJHHS.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

The election results have been tallied.

President Kevin Storms announces result of election for Chapter's 2009 officers:
 
President - Dave Johnson 34 votes
Vice President - Chuck Tudor  34 votes
Treasurer - Ray Decker  31 votes
                 Fred Assmus 4 votes
Rec. Secretary - Priscilla Johnson  34 votes
Corresp. Secretary - Sharon Assmus  24 votes
                                Harriet Beers   8 votes
Trustee - (Two each for two year term 2009-2010)
              Clif Patrick  32 votes
              Kevin Storms  20 votes
              Fred Assmus  13 votes 

These are all two year terms, running from 1 January, 2009 to 31 December, 2010.

The Chapter wishes to express our appreciation to all who stood for office in addition to everyone who voted.