Update: Archaeology at the Nathaniel Russell House

While the latest phase of archaeology field work is now complete at the Nathaniel Russell House, the Kitchen House project continues. Lead archaeologist on the project, Dr. Andrew Agha, is now working in the laboratory to clean, catalog, and study the thousands of artifacts discovered in the cellar excavation. The site was so rich in findings that the scope of this initial phase of the project was expanded to include a comparative analysis with objects found in previous excavations. While lab work, research, and report writing are ongoing, Museum staff is busy planning ways to share the important Kitchen House stories through monthly archaeology programs and new artifact exhibits.

Among the exciting finds were ceramics, glassware, tools, and other daily-use items that paint a vivid picture of life at the Russell House during the nineteenth century. To take our visitors behind-the-scenes of these discoveries, we’ve shared videos on our Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts to dive deeper into the significance of these finds. Follow along for an up-close look at our team’s ongoing work to uncover and interpret the past.

Now, with the cellar space cleared and safe access to the Kitchen House’s flooring system, the next phase of this critical project can begin. Preservation contractor Richard Marks is currently working with a structural engineer to finalize plans to stabilize the wood floors and the two large brick hearths. The stabilization phase of the project, supported by the HCF Board’s $100,000 investment, is projected to occur early next year. The exhibit space continues to be accessible for tours during this work.

Be on the lookout for a special talk in the new year, where Dr. Andrew Agha will present an in-depth discussion of the findings, allowing guests to view the artifacts up close and learn more about what they reveal about the site’s history and the enslaved people that lived there. As always, be sure to stop by 51 Meeting Street to tour the National Historic Landmark in person and see history unfold in real time.