News Developments

Boxley Cabin Area Will Be Archaeological Focus On Sept. 15
Posted: August 15, 2007

Archaeological Focus

SHERIDAN, IND.—Archaeology will be a hands-on experience for the public on Sat., Sept. 15, 9 a.m., at Sheridan’s Boxley Cabin when the frontier farm grounds around the 1828 restored log landmark are explored for hot spots and baseline survey evidence.

Jeff Plunkett, archaeologist, Accidental Discoveries, will be the first to lead an all-day study using volunteers to perform various scientific duties: small excavations, screenings and other detection activities to locate artifacts below ground like privies and root cellars. Plunkett said, “This is rain or shine. We’ll have pop-up tents if it rains, and like all grid excavations, it could get muddy. Dress accordingly and bring your own lunch and drinks for a noon break.”

The free event, important to the work on the cabin that is on the National Register of Historic Places, is sponsored by the Sheridan Historical Society, Town of Sheridan and Sheridan Community Schools.

“September is Indiana’s Archaeology Month,” explained Brenda Bush, event co-chair and society member. “Boxley Cabin Public Archaeology Day is an official educational activity included on Indiana’s state-wide roster of 2007 archaeology events. Our work is part of a preliminary site survey, which includes an entire mapping, and volunteers will be making a real contribution to knowledge of the land and its heritage, especially the part that is sub-surface.”

Edgar Spear, society president and co-chair, stressed the educational value of the archaeology initiative.

“It plays an important role in offering students unusual educational experiences,” assessed Spear. “The work to investigate the site relies on community-wide participation, and teachers have the opportunity to introduce the science of archaeology in advance to help young people learn. On site, the students will be readied to identify artifacts, including bone fragments that provide clues about fire pits. They may find Indian arrowheads and learn how discoveries are logged. We don’t know what to expect, but the land has secrets and a diverse history.”

Archaeological Focus

Applications to participate are available at Sheridan Town Hall, 506 S. Main St.; the Sheridan Historical Society Museum, 308 S. Main St.; Sheridan Community Schools; and the Sheridan Public Library, 103 W.1st St. Internet requests for applications in PDF format should be made to: sheridanhistorical@sbcglobal.net. Students must secure parents’ permission, and submission deadline is Sept. 10.

Volunteers will be divided into various field study groups and will rotate assignments following a short lecture and instructions by Plunkett at the Sheridan Veteran’s Park gazebo at 9 a.m. All artifacts found are the property of the Town of Sheridan and become part of Sheridan’s heritage discoveries that can be put on exhibit.

Boxley Cabin, built by fugitive abolitionist George Boxley after escaping jail in Virginia in 1816 following a sabotaged slave rebellion, was the first settlement in Hamilton County’s Adams Township. Bounty hunters pursued Boxley for 12 years until he made his final home in the Indiana wilderness where he carved out a farm and taught neighbors’ children who gradually joined his family in what became later known as Sheridan.

Cabin restoration physically began this spring and will be completed by Sept. 30. The archaeology is critically important as subterranean deposits can provide frontier farm clues, privies and other features that always yield information.

The HCCVB committed another $20,000 from the Hamilton County Destination Fund 2007 to the Boxley cabin restoration as part of the Town of Sheridan collaborative. A feasibility study to evaluate the prospect of three future adjacent structures in Sheridan Veteran’s Park as well as Main Street revitalization is near completion. Boxley Cabin and Sheridan Veteran’s Park land provides a hill-top vista of Main Street. Such plans funded by the Hamilton County Destination Fund 2007 are vital to transform Sheridan into a heritage tourism destination.

For more information about Sheridan’s Boxley Cabin Public Archaeology Day, contact Ed Spear, (317) 758-5867 or Brenda Bush, (317) 758-5845.