One More Time...

Well, I got some really good feedback on my attempt at a Historic Preservation plan. So I am back at work on it. This time armed with the suggestions I received, I think I might have it hammered out. When I get it done, for the second time, I will post it here before submitting it. That way if there is any last minute fixes that need to be made, I can do it relatively fast.

Thank you goes out to those who have helped me with this. I greatly appreciate it.

Little frustrated

You know I love my job. I get to go into places and spend my day looking for things from the past. I don't have to deal with the public, and I am not in any service industry. I love what I do so much I hardly feel like I am working at all. In fact, I do this when I am off as well. Of course I don't work at a university, nor do I work on any academic projects (outside those I wish to work on), I am a shovel bum. I work with some great people doing CRM work here in Indiana. Recently I have become somewhat disillusioned with what I do.

I have come across some real neat things in the past year or so (yes fresh out of school :)). However, I really haven't gotten to save what I think deserves saving. For instance, we were in a southern county were we came across (well it was in our project area so... you know) a school house that dated back to 1895. Given its location, it would have been great to document and come back later (I was interested in knowing more about it since most info was not available during the records check). Since it was at the edge of our project area we photographed it, shovel tested and screened the area in the project area (just like the rest of the project), and mapped it.

As we were leaving the project area we came across the landowners and told them what we were doing and who for, they didn't have a problem with it. We mentioned the school house and what we were going to, ie try to preserve the site. They were more concerned that their land was going to be dug up than the school being disturbed. They intended to tear down the school house anyway. Which I know we can't stop, and its their property but it was kind of a downer.

Another place where a prehistoric occupation site was found in a cave area was documented and recommended for more work, however the landowners (ie the company putting in new facilities) said that they were going to avoid that area. Guess what, no more was done with the site. Which had mortars ground into the sides of the cave, several other stone tools and far more still sitting on the surface, let along features that were there. No one has gone back to see if that company did in fact avoid it, nor did anyone check to see if they disturbed any of the surrounding features and artifacts.

This has happened several times. I know I was a little naive to think I could save much, and I know that CRM is a business. I just get frustrated. I know I am not the only one. I just really love what I do, and put as much as I can into doing it. I don't know. What can one man really do. I just needed to vent a little.

Guess what I found...

One day I went on one of my walks around town. I happened to found this place in the woods and thought it was interesting. However all the background checks I have done has not turned up anything. Even the Historic Society didn't know about. This is just one of the several locations in Alexandria (Indiana) that have been located and nobody seems interested in them. The others (pictures to come soon) include a historic glass company (1890's) and an axe factory that went out in 1912. Both of those together employed 1200 people back at the turn of the century. Great possibilities.

Never Done This Before... hope it looks good

So I have recently submitted a plan for public archaeology in my home town. I haven't attempted this before, and I was at a loss on what to actually put down. I don't know. Maybe it will do some good. Then again this town actually has done a lot to shoot itself in the foot. Well, maybe you guys can tell me what you think. I can always revise and resubmit, at least they give me that option. Check it out here.