Tuesday, Aug 7, 2007
Independence National Historical Park and the City of Philadelphia have temporarily covered the President’s House archeological site in order to protect the 18th and 19th century architectural findings from deterioration. A closing event hosted by the team of archeologists that brought to light these authentic reminders of the nation’s complicated beginnings was held on July 31st. The ceremonial event included comments from acting superintendent Darla Sidles, officials with the City of Philadelphia, and the team of archeologists who were responsible for the dig that has caught the nation’s attention over the past four months.
Jed Levin, NPS Northeast Region archeologist, and Cheryl LaRoche, archeologist with the URS group, spoke about what the dig has uncovered, what this project has meant to them personally, and why it is important to cover the fragile resources in order to protect them. Michael Coard, a member of the oversight committee tasked with determining the best way to commemorate the site and also a member of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), referred to the efforts made by ATAC to ensure that the National Park Service used this opportunity to recognize the enslaved Africans who lived in this house.
The ceremony then recognized and honored the nine enslaved Africans who were kept in the house by President Washington. Ayoka Quinones, a Yoruba priestess, and Mukasa Afrika led the ceremonial elements of the event, which included songs, prayers and the pouring of libations. These ceremonies specifically honored the nine slaves held by Washington at the site - Hercules, Oney Judge, Paris, Richmond, Austin, Moll, Joe, Giles and Christopher Sheels.
During this dig, archeologists made a series of unexpected findings at the site of the President’s House, where Presidents George Washington and John Adams lived from 1790-1800, and where at least nine enslaved Africans, kept by Washington, also lived and toiled. They found a basement below the kitchen where Hercules – an enslaved African who later escaped to freedom – presided as George Washington’s acclaimed chef. They uncovered the foundation from a bow window that is believed to be the prototype for the Oval Office in the Washington D.C. White House. And they found an underground passage from the kitchen to the main house, thought to be one of the many service areas used by the enslaved and servants working between the main part of the house and the kitchen.
More than 250,000 visitors have now stood at the public viewing platform to witness this extraordinary place, to learn from the archeologists, and to interact with each other on important topics such as race relations in the United States. The reaction to the site has served as a signal that the President’s House site has the potential to become a major national icon in the heart of the city.
Continued exposure to air and water, however, threatens the fragile remnants from the house and it is critical that these remains be protected before any further deterioration occurs. The dirt that was removed this past March will be returned to the site, thereby protecting the archeological findings and insulating modern-day utility pipes from the elements. The site will remain covered while a decision is reached as to how best to incorporate the findings into a permanent installation commemorating the President’s House.
In light of the archeological discoveries and at the request of the mayor of Philadelphia, a task force was assembled in June 2007 to evaluate options for incorporating the archeological findings into the preliminary design plan that was prepared by the Kelly/Maiello team before the dig began. After further research, a final report with recommendations will be prepared for the mayor and superintendent Dennis Reidenbach.
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