Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum opens remarkable new archaeological exhibit

The Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum opened a remarkable new exhibition on Sunday, May 15, exploring the earliest years of Wethersfield history through the lens of archaeological evidence uncovered on the Museum’s property in 2017. Through the discovery of a well-preserved cache of household and trade items, The Story Beneath Our Feet: Pyquag and “Weathersfield” offers an extraordinary glimpse into the lives of Wethersfield’s settlers in the 17th century.

“We are pleased to share publicly for the first time some of the nation’s most significant 17th century findings from the archaeological excavation on the southern part of our property in 2017,” said Joshua Campbell Torrance, Executive Director of the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum. “These discoveries expand our understanding of the site and offer further proof of Wethersfield as the first settled town in Connecticut.”

The exhibition features a number of fragmented household and trade items - such as bottle glass, ceramic vessels, clothing clasps, coins, furniture, and architectural elements such as hinges - unearthed during excavation behind the Silas Deane House. These important archaeological discoveries, together with loaned pieces from the Connecticut Historical Society and Connecticut Landmarks, as well as items from the Museum’s own collection, help tell the story.

Also discovered during excavation was physical evidence of a palisade, or defensive wall. No other contemporaneous palisaded home has ever been found in Connecticut. A facsimile of the palisade, fabricated by Museum staff, will be part of the exhibition.

In 2017, the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum received state funding to help create the state-of-the-art Holcombe Education Center to house exhibition galleries, meeting space, a visitor welcome center, and museum store. As the Museum property is historically significant, state law mandated an archaeological study of the area prior to construction. Upon discovery of the 17th century Clement Chaplin homestead, the Museum amended its original design plan to preserve the site. The Museum worked closely with Mary Guillette Harper, M.A., RPA, and Ross Harper, Ph.D., RPA, of AHS Cultural Resource Management in Storrs, Connecticut, to identify, document, and preserve each archaeological finding from the study.

“We are grateful to the amazing team from AHS Cultural Resource Management in working so diligently to identify and preserve these important historic material artifacts,” Torrance said. “Their efforts are reflected in our exhibition, enabling visitors to learn about a formative period in our history.”

The Story Beneath Our Feet: Pyquag and "Weathersfield” will be on view Sunday, May 15, through Sunday, October 30, in the Holcombe Education Center’s Anne Crofoot Kuckro Gallery at the Webb-Deane-Stevens Museum, 211 Main Street, Wethersfield, Connecticut.

Hours:

Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission:

$15 per adult; $12 per senior over 60, AAA member and active military; $6 per student and children (5-18), $30 per family (2 adults + children). Groups rate for 10 or more with a reservation, $12 per adult.

Events:

A lecture with Mary Guillette Harper, M.A., RPA, President/Owner and Director of Archaeological Research, AHS Cultural Resource Management, and Ross Harper, Ph.D., RPA, Senior Historical Archaeologist, AHS Cultural Resource Management will be held on Wednesday, June 8, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The lecture will be preceded by a wine and cheese reception. Free. Registration is required at The Story Beneath Our Feet: Pyquag and Weathersfield (simpletix.com).

For More Information:

Visit https://webb-deane-stevens.org/ or call 860-529-0612.