| Dig
Introduces Public to Archaeology
By Mark Maroney
Williamsport Sun-Gazette
Betty Fisher’s trowel dipped into layers of dirt at a Colonial-era
well site that once belonged to a lock tender minding the former
West Branch Canal on Pepper Street.
Beads of sweat formed on her head as a bucket below filled up with
the earthen treasures. She lifted the bucket and poured it over
a sifter held by Robin Van Auken, an archaeology professor at Lycoming
College. Fisher waited for Van Auken to shout, ‘‘Oh,
I found a nail, or ‘‘I found a piece of coal.’’
Her exclamation was made at a dig site where the Muncy Historical
Society together with Lycoming College are excavating a lock tender’s
house, well, privy and restoring the former West Branch Canal near
the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
The purpose is to some day build a heritage park and nature trail
for future generations to learn from and enjoy. The dig will go
on this summer and plans are to dig up the lock tender’s house
next summer, according to society officials.
Fisher owns the 50-acre parcel on Pepper Street, and the society
acquired 11-and-a-half acres that it plans to develop into the heritage
park and nature trail.
Bill Poulton, president of the society, stood nearby, amazed at
what the archaeological dig was turning up.
‘‘Fisher, who owns the land, understands and appreciates
the importance of the canal,’’ Poulton said.
The society acquired an 11-acre parcel within the original 50-acre
tract with the intent of turning it into a heritage park and nature
trail.
‘‘We think this is a fabulous idea,’’ said
Poulton, who sees a developed park and nature trail in the next
five years.
The society plans to put up exhibits and signage describing the
life and labor along the canal, which was the most important transportation
source before the railroad and adequately paved roads, Poulton said.
The trail will loop through a "remarkable piece of property"
with interpretative signs informing visitors about the diversity
of trees, plants and wildlife, he said.
Lycoming College students participated in an annual American Archaeology
field school directed by Van Auken.
‘‘It was a really rewarding experience,’’
said Jocelyn Hendershot, 21, of Bethlehem. She described the dig
as ‘‘awe-inspiring.’’
‘‘We’re uncovering ... fragments of something
someone used 100 years ago,’’ she said. ‘‘It
is something of historical significance right in our backyard.’’
Next summer, the field school will investigate the lock tender’s
house foundation, Van Auken said.
Near the lock tender’s house and well are what is believed
to be his privy, a foot bridge and brick artifacts signaling a possible
outdoor cooking area.
‘‘He would have wanted to make those using the canal
feel at home, perhaps even sell them fresh water,’’
Van Auken said.
The discoveries have so enticed archaeology students that Van Auken
said they plan to return there for several years, as the society
completed its multi-phase project.
Poulton said the future heritage park and nature trail will be a
boom to the local economy and a hands-on resource for local high
school and college history, social studies and science teachers.
The importance of the once-active canal can’t be overlooked,
Poulton said. The canal opened up the region to merchandising opportunities.
‘‘It was the reason why so many marvelous homes and
businesses were established in the borough between 1840 and throughout
the 1900s,’’ he said.
As an example, Sprout-Waldron, a company that once employed more
than 2,000 workers, settled in the borough because it could get
the coal to operate its furnaces via the canal.
The company made hay forks, a labor-saving device that was shipped
out by the thousands, Poulton said.
During the school year, Lycoming County students will be invited
on field trips to the museum and the archaeological site. More educational
components include the society’s Canal Packet Boat traveling
exhibit, canal presentations and the newly acquired water exhibits
from the Pennsylvania Canal Museum.
The acquired parcel will include an overlook and signage, describing
the rafting tragedy at the railroad bridge, depicted in the documentary
‘‘The Last Raft.’’
The film explores the raft’s tragic journey in March 1938,
using rare photos, new and archival footage, artifacts and news
coverage, Poulton said.
To the immediate south of the proposed park is the Reading Railroad
Bridge built in 1929.
Funding for the project has been provided by the society, the Margaret
Waldron Memorial Trust Fund and First Community Foundation, said
Poulton, noting feasibility studies have indicated the cost would
be 400,000 to complete the park.
He said the society is working together with Pennsylvania College
of Technology’s earth science class and Dr. Dennis Ringling,
he said. Others helping out are forester Stephen E. Jaquith, he
said.
Development also has been made possible through cooperative efforts
by the Muncy Creek Township board of supervisors.
An adjacent grass field will be converted to parking and there will
be a pavilion with picnic tables, Poulton said.
Spots along the canal will be left alone while others will be mowed
down and made to be accessible to handicapped persons. The tow-path,
where the mules pulled the boats along the canal, will be refurbished,
Poulton said.
‘‘There will be areas untouched,’’ he said.
‘‘It is where nature reclaims herself.’’
Dig Personnel
Meet the archaeologists, students and volunteers working at the
Muncy Canal site
Dig Diaries
Participate in the exciting discoveries by reading the latest from
the field
Ask an Archaeologist
Visit our FAQs page to get answers to all your questions about the
dig
The Archaeologist's Toolbox
Learn about the tools we use before, during, and after excavations
Archaeology for Kids
Here are a few games and puzzles to help young children and students
learn about archaeology
Upcoming Events
Learn more about us, and get information on visiting the site or
taking part in one of our programs
Media Coverage
Read all about it! Public Radio, local newspapers, Web 'zines and
television newscasts investigate The Muncy Heritage Park and Nature
Trail
Join the Society
Want to help with the Archaeology Dig? Become a member of the Muncy
Historical Society
Muncy Historical Society
Visit the Muncy Historical Society's Web site
Robin
Van Auken, archaeologist for the project
Meet Robin Van Auken and find out more about the field school she
teaches for Lycoming College
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