Monocacy Archeological Society, MAS, Chapter of the Archeological Society of Maryland, Frederick, MD

monocacy archeology

The Monocacy Archeological Society promotes and encourages educational programs related to the archeological heritage of Frederick County and the surrounding region. MAS members volunteer at archeological sites and help to record and preserve archeological information that supports local research and promotes public interest in archeology.

Public volunteers can learn how to work on local archeological dig sites throughout Maryland, here's what you need to know!

Have you found unusual objects on your property? Our avocational and professional archeologists will examine them with you at our meetings and discuss their relevance, but keep in mind that often a pointed rock looks like an Indian arrowhead! However, many odd finds ultimately link us to further investigation and sites of great archeological importance and knowledge.

Questions? Email Us, or call for more information at 301-378-0212

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Next Meeting, Wednesday May 9th

The program for the evening is: "The Two-Story Log House Mystery"

In 2010, the authors were approached by a landowner about a two-story log house advertized in the Westminster, Maryland, Democrat Advocate in 1871 and 1881, regarding his property. The log house was built between 1789 and 1793 by Baltimore County’s surveyor and land developer, Samuel Owings. The walk-over and STP field survey of the property did not reveal a foundation or concentration of Pre-Civil War artifacts. Twelve Pre-Civil War artifacts were found. The majority of the artifacts came from the Post-Civil War era. The question remains, where did the log house stand? Did Henry Dice raze the log house in 1882/1883 and build his new two story dwelling in 1884 on top of the log house foot print or build onto and expand the log house while residing in Manchester, or build his new house while residing in the log house located nearby or outside the present 2 ½ acre property.

Speaker: Barbara Israel, Graduate of the Maryland Archeological Technician Certification Program (CAT).

The meeting will be held in the Community Room of the C. Burr Artz Library, 110 East Patrick Street, Frederick, beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For more information, all 301-378-0212

The program is free and open to the public.

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Other Events of Archeological and Historical Interest:

March 10 - MHT and ASM 21st Annual Workshop in Archeology, Crownsville, 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Includes presentations on finding the Zekiah Fort and Pig Point as well as sessions for CAT candidates. Fee. Complete program available at www.marylandarcheology.org.

March 13 - 7:00 p.m. Lecture on Untold Story of Antietam Photos, Stephen J. Recker, Museum of Frederick County History, 24 East Church Street, Frederick. Free

March 14 - 7 pm Lecture on Jim Crow in Maryland, City Hall, Frederick, C. Fraser Smith, Baltimore Sun columnist - free, sponsored by Frederick County Landmarks Foundation

March 22- 25 - Mid-Atlantic Archeological Conference, Cavalier Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia. Fee

March 24 - Treasured Heirloom Event, Delaplaine Visual Arts Education Center, 40 South Carroll Street, Frederick. Sponsored by the Historical Society of Frederick County. Charge for appraisals. 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

April 11th - 7 pm Lecture on Striking Back: At the Edge of Empire in the Eighteenth Century, Warren R. Hofstra, Stewart Bell Professor of History, Shenandoah University, Sponsored by Frederick County Landmarks Foundation, Brewer's Alley Restaurant, Market Street, Frederick - "That backcountry counties in Maryland and Virginia were named Frederick, after English Princes and Lord Proprietors in the eighteenth century is indicative of the role that imperial interests played in the settlement and political organization of the first frontier in American history. Although frontier settlement is usually conceived as driven by the personal interests of settlers in acquiring land and seeking individual opportunity, this talk examines the larger geopolitical forces that created and shaped European frontiers throughout North America as an expression of imperial ambitions in the era before the American Revolution."

Tentative - April 14 - Tour of the Rosenstock Site in the city limits of Frederick, Maryland. Details to come. Article from the Gazette.

Best farm

Past Chapter Projects:

Rosenstock Site - Late Woodland village site, worked from 1979 to 1992, recently preserved by the Archeological Conservancy. It was discovered in the early twentieth century and collected by locals, it can be called the "first city" of Frederick, as suceeding village complexes were used here by Native Americans over hundreds of years and yields important insights into the connections between sites along the Potomac River and known sites further north. More Info Here. A hocker figure made from deer bone found on the site was used as an element of the Frederick Dreaming artwork.

Claggett Retreat Site Field School and Swomley Artifacts Display at C Burr Artz Library, Frederick. Article and Video

Read about local Chapter Member George Evans and his archeological pursuits.

Wise Farm and Fox Gap Sites

The Wise Farmstead and Fox Gap Portion of the South Mountain Battlefield. The Wise Farmstead (ca 1858 to 1879) was the home and farm of Daniel Wise and his family, located in a beautiful ridge top setting on the crest of the Blue Ridge in central Maryland.

May 2003, ASM Field School at the Winslow Site

A late Woodland native American village site. Who were these people, and why did they come here, why did they disappear, and where did they go? Many questions and many eager volunteers seeking the answers.

Monocacy National Battlefield, Best Farm Site

A Civil War battlefield and encampment site. A French Carribbean family with perhaps the most slaves in the County. A barn built unlike any other North of Louisiana. Also native American sites.

Antietam Battlefield - Civil War

Metal detecting for artifacts on the battlefield, and the replanting of the 1860's orchard with the heirloom apple varieties that were cut to the ground by bullets during the battle.

Beatty Cramer House Initial Exploration

One of Frederick's earliest remaining historic structures and unique in Maryland for its construction styles. A rare example of Dutch architectural features brought down from New York state by a widowed woman and her large family. Test pits were completed to aid in placing new parking as the site is restored and opened more frequently to the public.

The Search for the Lost Monocacy Log Church

Long before the clustered spires, a fabled, simple log structure served as the focal point of religious life in Frederick County. A few clues from the reports of missionary Palantine Ministers hint at its location without any certainty. From the old German diaries we glean a few clues and believe we have a sense of where the church may have been located, and its not where everyone seems to believe from local markers. But ground penetrating radar yields no further proof.

Local avocational archeologist and regionally respected Chapter Member Spencer Geasey donates his archeological library to Frederick.

McKee