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Public Archeology Event at Chimborazo Park

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From the National Park Service:

Native American landscape. Colonial battlefield. Civil War hospital. Freedman’s village. City park. National park. The site currently occupied by Chimborazo Medical Museum in the Church Hill neighborhood of Richmond has enjoyed many identities over the years.

Now, thanks to the Urban Archaeology Corps, a partnership between the National Park Service and local conservation group Groundwork RVA, the public has the opportunity to view these layers of history. On Saturday, July 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., student interns from this year’s Corps will be on hand to share discoveries from their dig. Visitors can mingle with professional and student archaeologists, participate in children’s activities, and enjoy interpretive tours of the site (11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.).

All activities will be held near the dig site at Chimborazo Medical Museum (3215 East Broad Street, Richmond) and are free of charge. In case of rain, the event will be held instead on Saturday, August 6.

The Urban Archaeology Corps is part of a nationwide initiative sponsored by the National Park Service to engage young people with urban parks, an effort that has expanded this year as the National Park Service celebrates its 100th anniversary. Last year’s Corps excavated a site at Gravel Hill, one of the earliest free black communities in Virginia. This summer eight teenagers from the Richmond area will spend a total of eight weeks as paid interns on the Corps working with National Park Service staff and local archaeologists to uncover Chimborazo’s history and share their stories.

“We are excited to once again host the Urban Archaeology Corps in Richmond. This is a tremendous opportunity to connect youth with their local communities and parks in a very meaningful way,” said David Ruth, superintendent of Richmond National Battlefield Park and Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site.

For more information, please contact the Richmond National Battlefield Park at (804) 226-1981, or visit us online at www.nps.gov/rich or www.Facebook.com/RichmondNPS.