"Few Know that Such a Place Exists": Land and People in the Prince William Forest Park, Volume I

Louis Berger Group, Inc; John Bedell

The land that is now the Prince William Forest Park has a history extending across at least 9,000 years. The inhabitants of this landscape have included ancient Native American hunters and gatherers, seventeenth-century Doeg Indians, English settlers, enslaved Africans, free African Americans, Civil War soldiers, farmers, millers, shopkeepers, and the young men of the Civilian Conservation Corps. All of these people have left traces on the landscape. During a four-year study, from 1999 to 2003, archeologists searched the park for evidence of the many people who have lived there. More than 60 archeological sites were found, including Native American camps, colonial plantations, farms, houses, mills, a school, and more. This volume, part of the documentation of the archeological study, is written as a historical narrative, and is intended for anyone interested in the history of the park and the region. In order to protect valuable and sensitive historical sites, detailed maps are not included. A separate, technical report was written for use by park managers and archeological professionals, and that volume includes the mass of the archeological data from the project, organized by survey area, as well as detailed maps and other figures. Prince William Forest Park has been a wonderful place for us to work. We have been in the park in every season and have enjoyed brilliant fall color, winter quietude, the bursting life of spring, and the green shade of summer. It is a beautiful place to be. It is also a fascinating place for archeologists because much of the historical landscape, from roads to house foundations, is plainly visible and can be identified just by strolling through the park’s wooded lands. The people who work in the park have also made our experience there a pleasure. Everyone we have dealt with has been helpful and enthusiastic. We wish particularly to thank Bob Hickman, Kate Richardson, George Liffert, Bryan Carlstrom, Russ Whitlock, David Elkowitz, Bill Ellis, Steve Hay, Jacques Lavelle, Carol Polio, and Jennifer Lee. Of the many people outside the park who have helped with this project we wish especially to thank Stephen Potter and Bob Sonderman of the National Capital Region of the National Park Service, Phyllis Scott, Don Wilson and the rest of the staff in the RELIC Room at the Bull Run Community Library, Lee Lansing, Scott Parham, and Ronald Ray Turner. Without their help, this project would not have been possible. Many people have worked on this project over its four-year duration. The project was directed by the author and managed by Charles LeeDecker. Dr. Daniel Wagner was project geomorphologist, and ethnobotanist Justine McKnight toured the sites and helped us identify many plant species. Robert Jacoby, Brad DuPlantis, and Keith Googins served as field supervisors. Eric Griffitts and Lisa Krauss carried out historical research. The artifacts were analyzed by Mallory Gordon, Gerry Scharfenberger, and Robert Jacoby. Artifact photos were taken by Rob Tucher, and the figures were drafted by Jackie Horsford. Editorial assistance was provided by C. Carol Halitsky and Anne Moiseev. We owe special thanks to the field archeologists whose hard work and care brought all our discoveries to light: Sean Alexander, Risa Arbolino, Adam Frank, Greg LaBudde, Paul Luton, Michelle McClenny, Christopher Stanton, Stephanie Taleff, Lucy Wesson, and Pam Wood.

"Few Know that Such a Place Exists": Land and People in the Prince William Forest Park, Volume I

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