A Child’s Life in the 18th Century through Archaeology

On August 13th at 1 pm, the New London County Historical Society partnered with the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club of New London is hosting an opening of its newly installed exhibit, A Child’s Life in the 18th Century through Archaeology. The exhibit was designed and constructed during our annual Summer Museum program by nearly forty local youth ages 5-14. In July, students learned about the diverse history of southeastern Connecticut by participating in an archaeological dig in which they collected, cleaned, researched, and identified artifacts from the Shaw Mansion garden. We invite members of the New London community to join us at the Shaw Mansion for a viewing of the exhibit and an opportunity to meet some of the young historians who created it.

The exhibit features various components that reflect the Summer Museum program. This includes artifacts uncovered in the dig and their historical significance, journals authored by students, and photographs. Each artifact exhibits a significant period of the Shaw Mansion’s history. Animal bones represent the historical wildlife of the area and diet of the individuals who lived at the Shaw Mansion. Pottery and ceramic shards reveal the timeline of luxury items. Artifacts such as charcoal and slag indicate that the Shaw Mansion garden was once used for metal working. At the end of each program session, students recorded their observations and reflected on what they learned in journals provided to them by the NLCHS. The quantity and quality of the information contained in each journal demonstrates the level of learning and retention obtained by the student. Photographs were taken to document the journey and progress of our students’ work.

The opening will include a walk through of the exhibit. Additionally, students and interns will be present to speak about their experiences. Tours of the Shaw Mansion can be given upon request. Light snacks and refreshments will be available. There is no specific dress code. The event will begin at approximately 1 pm on August 13th. For more information, please visit www.nlchs.org or contact the NLCHS at info@nlchs.org or (860) 443-1209.