43rd Annual Spring Symposium on Archeology:
Town Founding in the Chesapeake

Anne Arundel County’s Lost Towns Project

Al Luckenbach, Anne Arundel County
Dr. Luckenbach explores Anne Arundel County’s “lost” towns of Providence (1649), Herrington (ca. 1660), and London (1683), sharing insights into how Maryland’s Colonial towns formed and why they differed from one another.

The Richard E. Stearns Memorial Lecture

The Richard E. Stearns Memorial Lecture is named in honor of Richard E Stearns (1902-1969), curator of the Department of Archeology at the Natural History Society of Maryland for more than 30 years. Mr. Stearns located numerous archeological sites in the Chesapeake area, and carefully documented his surface and excavated finds. He published numerous archeological articles and several monographs, and donated his collection to the Smithsonian Institution. A commercial artist by profession, he was nonetheless a pioneer in Maryland archeology, instrumental in recording much of Maryland prehistory.

Court Houses, Ports, and Townmania

Julia A. King, St. Mary’s College of Maryland
Dr. King, a native of Southern Maryland, has devoted much of her professional life to the meticulous investigation of early Colonial sites in the Chesapeake region. Hear about her latest research at Charles County’s first county seat (1674; no, not Port Tobacco!), as well as her earlier work at Richard Smith’s ‘port’ in St. Leonard, Calvert County; two places that served as towns, even though weren’t.

The Iris McGillivray Memorial Lecture

Iris McGillivray was a founding member of the Archeological Society of Maryland, Inc., ably serving the Society for over thirty years as Secretary, President, Newsletter Editor, Field Session Registrar, and Membership Secretary. She is perhaps best known, loved, and respected for her organization of the annual Spring Symposium, first held in 1965, arranging all aspects of the day-long program. In 1991 Iris was presented with the Society's William B. Marye Award to honor her services to archeology in Maryland.

An Archaeological View of Maryland’s First City.

Henry M. Miller, Chief Archaeologist, Historic St. Mary’s City Commission
Dr. Miller has few peers as a speaker and writer on Maryland archeology, particularly the investigation of Maryland’s first city, the subject of this presentation.

An Archaeological View of Maryland’s First City.

Henry M. Miller, Chief Archaeologist, Historic St. Mary’s City Commission
Dr. Miller has few peers as a speaker and writer on Maryland archeology, particularly the investigation of Maryland’s first city, the subject of this presentation.

Seeking Liberty: Annapolis, an Imagined Community

Mark Leone, University of Maryland, College Park
Dr. Leone, guest curator, introduces the new exhibit at the Banneker-Douglass Museum. Tours available during the lunch break.

Beyond the Capital City: Some Relationships Between Annapolis and Charles Town

Mike Lucas, Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Prince George’s County
Dr. Lucas discusses his research at Charles Town, established in 1684 and designated the seat of Prince George’s County government 1696, focusing on the people and institutions that bridged the distance between the town and the Colonial.

Founding, Refounding, Finding, and Re-finding Port Tobacco

April Beisaw, Binghamton University and the Port Tobacco Archaeological Project
Dr. Beisaw reports on the Port Tobacco Archaeological Project and the complex history of the founding, and re-founding, of Charles County’s long-time seat of government and one of the Colony’s principal ports.

Closing Remarks on the state of town research and opportunities for public involvement