Digging Dillsburg and Delta: Indiana Joneses searching for archeological jewels
Steve Warfel, an archaeologist with York County roots who lives in New Cumberland, oversees the unearthing of long-buried foundation at Dill’s Tavern in northwestern York County’s Dillsburg. (See video of the excavation below.) Also of interest: Digging Coulsontown: ‘This is not Indiana Jones’ and Central York High School student history sleuths: ‘We are still unsure as to who built the home’ and Archaeologist at Springettsbury’s Camp Security: ‘If we knew it was here, we wouldn’t have to do this’ and Part II: York County, Pa., outhouse rules: From honey dippers to privy diggers.
They’re digging from Dillsburg to Delta.
Professionals and volunteers are sifting for artifacts on or near Route 74 from northwestern York County to its southeastern tip.
An excavation is under way at Dill’s Tavern to unearth what may be the foundation of the original tavern on the site – the 1750 structure that predated the existing 1794 building. (For details about this Dillsburg dig, see the York Daily Record/Sunday News’ Archaeology work being done at historic Dill’s Tavern.)
That’s one job.
Meanwhile, more than 30 miles south along Route 74, Collinsville Community Library is offering a presentation on Stonetown, Pa., an excavated area that may have housed the first Welsh slate miners in Peach Bottom Township… .
Here’s a brief lead-in to the program:
“Welsh quarrymen came to Southeastern York County, PA, in the mid-1800’s because of the rich vein of slate in the ridge near the Susquehanna River. They built a small group of stone dwellings, now known as the Coulsontown Cottages, similar to the homes that they had in Wales. A few are still standing today, some privately owned and two that are being restored by The Friends of the Welsh Cottages, a branch of the Old Line Museum in Delta, PA. But where did the slate workers and their families live before they built the individual cottages?”
Steve Ciborowski will present on the probject at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 28 at Collinsville Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue.
A library news release says he will talk about his recent excavations at the site of a large apartment building that dates from 1805:
“Originally built as a residence for the Scot-Irish and English workers, the building housed many Welsh workers and their families when they came later. It is also documented that the Welsh held religious services there before they built permanent churches in the area. Steve will display numerous artifacts that he found at the site. Families may sign up to visit the site and help with the dig on Thursday, June 30 at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday evening’s presentation is a prerequisite to participate in the trip to the site.”
For details, 717-927-9014.
York Daily Record/Sunday News photographer Paul Kuehnel captures the dig at Dillsburg.
Also of interest, again:
– Digging Coulsontown: ‘This is not Indiana Jones’
– Central York High School student history sleuths: ‘We are still unsure as to who built the home’.
– Archaeologist at Springettsbury’s Camp Security: ‘If we knew it was here, we wouldn’t have to do this’
– Part II: York County, Pa., outhouse rules: From honey dippers to privy diggers.
Archives:
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