Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU)

Analysis, Summary, and Public Archaeology Outreach of Artifacts from an Archaeological Field School at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

Project ID: P15AC01490

Federal Agency: National Park Service

Partner Institution: Portland State University

Fiscal Year: 2015

Initial Funding: $37,576

Total Funding: $37,576

Project Type: Education

Project Disciplines: Cultural

National Park: Fort Vancouver NHS

Principal Investigator: Anderson, Shelby

Agreement Technical Representative: Langford, Theresa

Abstract: One of the largest complexes related to home front activities during the First World War (WWI) was the Spruce Production Division’s main Spruce Cut Up Plant (Spruce Mill) in Vancouver, Washington on the site of what is now Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The Spruce Mill was constructed in 1917-1918 and served to produce aircraft quality wood to support the U.S. war effort. This project will build on the results of a historic context study and an archaeology field school to address the archaeology of this important early 20th century WWI homefront activity. Based on recommendations in the historic context study, excavations are being conducted in the summer of 2015 to record and evaluate Spruce Mill archaeological deposits. This is a collaborative effort to compile information from the field school, analyze the artifacts, and conduct outreach of the findings to the public through a Portland State University-sponsored outreach event called the Archaeology Roadshow. Expected products include a catalog of collected archaeological artifacts, a final report, and summaries of the archaeological research presented to the public through a variety of media.

Deliverables: