Archaeology Camp in Savannah

All history buffs, young and old, are invited to participate in Archaeology Summer Camp at the Crusoe House Site in Savannah this summer.

Sponsored by the Wayne County Historical Society and facilitated by Dr. Ann Morton of St. John Fisher College, this project is the first step in preserving and restoring the Crusoe House and placing it on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

The Crusoe Site Committee, a sub-committee of the Savannah Town Board, has been working to save the Crusoe House for the past two years because of its particular significance to Wayne County's history. Built in 1824, it is one of the oldest existing buildings in the County and has been used as a tavern, post office, and the public meeting place for the first organization of the Town of Savannah. The location is the traditional fording place of Crusoc Creek by both early settlers and Native Americans, and archaeological finds from this site may reach back 10,000 years!

The Archeology Camp will be running for a maximum of six weeks, beginning Sat., July 11 and ending Sun., Aug. 16 (depending on quantity and quality of finds). Excavations run Weds. to Sun., 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and are divided - into full week, weekday-only, and weekend-only sessions - to accomodate the needs of participants. People may sign up for any number of sessions within the six weeks and "mix and match" sessions. This program is designed for ages 10 to adult, with the total number of participants on each day limited to 8. No previous experience is necessary. This program will also be offered at the Joel N. Lee Site, Route 414, Rose.

For youngsters, aged 4-9 (with accompanying adult), there will be Archaeology Discovery Days - half-day interactive programs on archaeology and local history. The programs will be held Saturdays, July 25 and Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information, contact Dr. Ann Morton at (315) 946-4943 or (716) 527-8164 (e-mail morton@sjfc.edu or ann]morton@mlsonline.com)

The Crusoe Site Committee is also seeking volunteers to help develop the restoration project for the Crusoe House. Those interested should call Brian Secor (315) 365-2838 or Richard Corichi (315) 365-2664.

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