The team will investigate evidence of what could be an 18 th century foundation for an early outbuilding as well as systematically dig through two 19 th century trash deposits that can offer evidence of the lifestyle of the Williams family. This summer's excavation is part of a larger project documenting and understanding the impacts of capitalist development on everyday life in early Deerfield. Participation in the Field School gives students an opportunity to understand better the long history of human occupation, use and transformation of the area known as Western Massachusetts, from its earliest habitation more than 13,000 years ago.
Tours are free and open to visitors of all ages.
Deerfield, Massachusetts has been called the best-documented small community in America. Founded in 1669, the tiny community was attacked three times during Indian raids. Since 1707, Deerfield has been continually settled and village residents have long shared a common resolve never to forget the community's past. To this end, residents have documented the village's long history by gathering and preserving artifacts and manuscripts that tell the community's story. The artifacts in the Memorial Hall Museum, the village's historical society, and the collections and buildings of Historic Deerfield, combine to present visitors with the well-documented history of an early New England community.