Updates from the “1848 Florence Settlement” Research Project
By Jess Harney, Social Studies Teacher, Camden High School
What is usually a quiet forest in Florence came alive with learning on May 14th. CHS students are making history by studying local public history at a historic site located in the NYS Florence Hill Forest Preserve. Forty-five CHS students from the MVCC Dual Credit US History classes had the opportunity to participate in a 2nd year of hands-on archeological research alongside professionals from many partner agencies around NYS to study the Florence Settlement, 1848. Over the past 13 years, the project has mapped and documented at least four homestead sites in the former Florence Farming and Lumber settlement. The settlement was Gerrit Smith’s precursor to the free Black settlement in the Adirondacks known as Timbuctoo, under the leadership of John Brown. In all, several dozen families temporarily relocated to the Florence area in hopes of gaining suffrage and economic freedom between about 1849 and 1861. Most of the homes were sold to later Irish immigrants or abandoned due in large part to the Fugitive Slave Act and other underlying economic and political trends.
Through the project management of Matt Kirk of Hartgen Archeological Associates, the project obtained a “Section 233 Permit Application for Archeological Resource Assessment Florence Settlement, Joseph Young Site, Florence, Oneida County, NY--A Cooperative, Volunteer Program” from New York State Museum. This year, the project was expanded due to the high interest and participation from CHS students. Hartgen, an archeological firm out of the Albany area participates in a number of Pro Bono public history projects throughout the year, but there has been sustained interest in our part of the NYS with this project.
Our students have contributed to the public history research project that is now over a decade old. With the incredible support of Camden Central School and many CHS staff, these students had the opportunity to engage with public history and archeology professionals from Hartgen Archeological Associates, NYS Museum, NYS Parks, State Historic Preservation Office, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, NYS DEC, NYS DEC Historic Preservation, NYS Tug Hill Commission, SUNY ESF, and the Underground Railroad Education Center. Camden HS staff who accompanied the students were Jessica Harney (CHS/SS Teacher/Organizer), Kaylyn Rose (CHS Media Library/ELA teacher), Erin Curtis (CHS Ag. teacher), Bailey Zalepeski (CHS SS teacher), and Dustin Scholz (CHS science teacher). Alumni Zoe Abrams also supported the research with students as a community volunteer, alongside Florence local Tom Callahan.
Upon arrival, students and adults received a tour of the research field site from Mrs. Harney. Students observed foundations, artifacts, rock mounds, and well-heads. After the tour, students were broken into research teams led by experienced student leaders who participated last year. Due to the volume of volunteers this year, the project established three work areas, each with specific responsibilities and research goals.
Joseph Youngs Cabin- At this site, students were able to learn about and conduct a Ground Penetrating Radar Study
George Washington Farmstead-North side- conducted excavations of 50cm tests/units
George Washington Farmstead South side- conducted shovel test excavations of 40cm round tests
The science of inquiry was on display as cross curricular research activities included hypotheses being tested, research goals, discussion, and field methodologies. Hartgen Archeological Associates provides education to the students on the techniques of collection and excavation. They will handle data recovery and analysis, provide the facilities for treatment, preservation and storage of materials and disposition of artifacts and specimens to the NYS Museum upon completion of the project. Data and results of each of the work areas is still being interpreted. Because this is an actual archeological research project, all artifacts were collected using the proper methodology.
Students and researchers took a mid-day lunch break and enjoyed the hospitality of the Florence Town Hall. Returning for additional research in the afternoon followed by a large group photo opportunity. With hundreds of photos and videos to document the day, students have become part of the historic narrative of this site. [View an example of an artifact inquiry in the field ]
Students are invited to attend the trip as student leaders during their senior year and some students have indicated that they would like to come back as alumni. This year, we welcomed alumni and Hobart and William Smith graduate Zoe Abrams back as a community volunteer. Even Mr. Zalepeski is an alumni of this project as he participated in the trip when he took the NYS History course during his senior year.
During this year of our 250th Anniversary of the founding of America, we are reminded of the continued struggles that many Americans have faced along the way. We remember that “freedom in 1776”, was not applied to everyone equally. The research of this site is essential to understand the complex narratives of American history and shines a spotlight on the stories of underrepresented groups like these once-enslaved 19th Century Black farmers in New York. When students can observe the power of agency through the choices made by black Americans to risk everything for their stake in democracy, students witness the power of their own agency. Students are also learning in real time that with rights, comes responsibility. Through their engagement in this research, they are contributing an act of service to the community by expanding our knowledge and preservation of this historic site.
There are exciting developments on the horizon, including a planned application to the National Registry of Historic Places and the potential growth of local partnerships for additional education and outreach. After a successful application was submitted by the research team, the site was recognized by the National Parks Service Network to Freedom as a UGRR “destination site” in November 2024. Much of that previous work will contribute to the next phase of recognition and preservation of this important local history and will be used in the application for the registry of historic places.
We look forward to continued research, discoveries, and cross-curricular connections, but this local backyard resource can do more than teach us about history. The Florence Hill Forest Preserve is walkable and contains layers of ecological activity that are a great addition to the learning experience for students of all ages. There are also many local groups, such as the NYS DEC, NYS Tug Hill Commission and Tug Hill Tomorrow Land Trust that are eager to engage in educational outreach with our school.
Lastly, none of this is possible without the power of the community backing the work. None of this happens, without the support and trust of the administrative leaders from the Camden district and the teachers that volunteer to participate on this trip. The curiosity and trust of the students to literally “go outside” of their comfort zones to try new learning methods is essential to this progress.
THANK YOU to all who have been involved along the way!
