For Immediate Release: Fort to host lecture on archeology of three local privies
For more information contact: Linda Novak, 207-626-2385
Old Fort Western is proud to present a talk on “A Tale of Three Privies” given by retired historical archeologist, Leon Cranmer, Sunday, March 6th beginning at 2pm in the lecture hall on the first floor of Augusta City Center. Refreshments will be served.
Cranmer will discuss the archaeological excavation of privies on three diverse sites; an 18th-century fort (Fort Halifax) in Winslow, a 19th-century farmstead in Topsham, and a 19th-century urban house in Portland. From the large quantity of nearly complete artifacts from these privies, a picture of the lifestyles of the sites’ occupants can be developed along with an understanding of the material culture of the time. Cranmer will determine when these privies were filled in and even speculate as to why they were filled. He will show that combining the historical record with the archeological record we can form a more complete picture of the past.
Leon (Lee) Cranmer is an historical archaeologist who retired in August 2010 from the staff of the Maine Historic Preservation Commission. He has a BS from Stockton University, and a BA in anthropology and MA in history/historical archaeology from the University of Maine. Lee has worked in archaeology in Maine for almost 30 years and has conducted archaeology for the state of Maine for well over 20 years. Prior to that he spent two seasons in England doing archaeology. He has written one book and numerous articles on Maine historical archaeology and is currently working on another book on Fort Halifax, a French and Indian War period fort in Winslow, Maine. He has excavated hundreds of Maine sites for which he has written or co-authored site reports. Prior to his archaeology career, Lee spent 7 years in the Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. He lives in Somerville, Maine, with his wife Liz.
Old Fort Western (1754) is a National Historic Landmark and living museum in Augusta, Maine and America's oldest surviving wooden French & Indian War era garrison in North America illuminating 300 years of Maine and New England History. For more information, please call 626-2385 or e-mail .
16 Cony Street, Augusta, Maine 04330 • (Tel) 207-626-2385 • (Fax) 207-626-2304 • www.oldfortwestern.org •