Historic and Archaeological Reconnaissance/Inventory Survey: Cultural Resources Management Plan, New Boston Air Force Station, New Boston, Mont Vernon, Amherst, New Hampshire, Volume 1
Creators: name: The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc.
Publisher: name: ENSR Consulting and Engineering
Year: 1993
Subjects: New Boston Air Force Station
Mont Vernon, NH
New Boston, NH
Merrimack River
New Hampshire (State / Territory)
Hillsborough (County)
Joe English Hill
Roby Hill, NH
Amherst, NH
19th Century - 20th Century
Historic
Prehistoric
HS #16
HS #15
HS #18
HS #17
HS #20
HS #19
HS #22
HS #21
HS #24
HS #01
HS #23
HS #26
HS #03
HS #25
HS #02
HS #28
HS #05
HS #27
HS #04
HS #07
HS #06
HS #09
HS #08
Wells Bog Site
East Meadow Site
Find Spot #2
Find Spot #1
Find Spot #4
Find Spot #3
HS #10
HS #12
HS #11
HS #14
HS #13
Domestic Structures
Historic Structure
Archaeological Feature
Artifact Scatter
Water Control Feature
Rock Alignment
Mill
Road
Wood
Textile
Ceramic
Chipped Stone
Fauna
Glass
Building Materials
Metal
Volume 1
Inventory survey
Cultural Resource Management Plan
Archaeological Overview
Historic Background Research
Architectural Survey
Reconnaissance / Survey
Site Evaluation / Testing
Systematic Survey

description: The Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc., under contract with ENSR Consulting and Engineering, recently completed an historic and archaeological reconnaissance/inventory survey of the New Boston Air Force Station (NBAFS) located in New Boston, Mont Vernon, and Amherst, New Hampshire. A total of 2,826 acres are encompassed by the NBAFS, with approximately 2,620 under management for conservation. The existing operational facilities are located on approximately 40 acres. The purpose of the survey was to provide needed data for the NBAFS Historic Preservation Plan. The plan will include an inventory and evaluation of all prehistoric and historic resources known within the base. These cultural resources are to be considered in the long-range planning process for the facility, which will allow for increased recreational use, and natural resource management projects such as tree cutting and planting. 

Prior to fieldwork, the NBAFS was divided into 48 whole or partial study units and ranked in terms of archaeological sensitivity on environmental attributes including level terrain, well-drained soils, and proximity of freshwater. A walkover of the base refined the sensitivity assessment, located disturbed areas, and checked for surface finds from both prehistoric and historic resources. In addition, the 24 previously identified historic sites were examined. While no prehistoric resources were located during the walkover, four new historic sites were identified.

A total of 710, 50 x 50 cm test pits were excavated during the survey. Two prehistoric sites were located. Four prehistoric find spots consisting of relatively low densities of quartz chipping debris indicating temporary camp sites were also found. No diagnostic prehistoric materials were recovered. Cultural material recovered from the historic sites indicated construction and occupation from the mid-eighteenth to late nineteenth century. At least four sites appear to have been occupied into the twentieth century until military acquisition of the land.

This volume includes the introduction, research design and testing strategies, environmental setting, prehistoric and historic land use and settlement patterns, results of the prehistoric and historic sites survey, conclusions and recommendations, and references cited.