Battlefield Archaeology in the Bluegrass

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park
March 31 – April 4 2008 Archaeological Survey of Blue Licks Battlefield
"Battlefield Archaeology in the Bluegrass"

A group of archaeologists and historians are attempting to shed new light on one of Kentucky’s most famous battlefields. Fought in the summer of 1782, Blue Licks was the last battle of the American Revolution. In what is today northeastern Kentucky, a group of Native Americans and their British allies defeated a group of American colonists. Among the legendary figures that fought at the battle were Daniel Boone, who lost his son in the battle, and Levi Todd, the grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln. Today, the battlefield is part of the Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park in Robertson County, Kentucky.

The battlefield is about to receive first class treatment thanks to a groundbreaking cooperative venture between state agencies, a public university and private volunteers. Led by Dr. Adrian Mandzy, Associate Professor of History at Morehead State University, local university students will join members of the Battlefield Restoration and Archaeological Volunteer Organization, otherwise known as BRAVO to conduct a survey of the battlefield from 31 March to 4 April 2008. Many may be familiar with the work of Dan Sivilich, military archaeologist and President of BRAVO, and the team members as they have been featured on the Discovery and History channels excavating other Revolutionary War battlefields. The students hope to gain valuable field knowledge from their more experienced counterparts. The joint team felt that the battle fought at Blue Licks needed a close examination, and the Kentucky Department of Parks agreed. The team hopes to use many of the newest battlefield technologies to recover and record possible musket balls, uniform buttons and other artifacts relating to the battle.

The work the archaeologist will be doing will be open for public viewing and interested persons are invited to visit the park and observe while the surveying and digging is being conducted. Not only will you get a chance to see how modern archaeology is performed on an actual battlefield, but you just might be a part of history.

This project was made possible through the generous support of the Kentucky Humanities Council, the Robertson County Tourism Commission, and Morehead State University. State Parks is hoping the survey and dig will help map out and define the parameters of the battlefield as well as give the museum at Blue Licks artifacts to display from the battle. The final report will also be used by the park to help manage the historic resources there and as justification to hopefully get the battlefield on the National Register of Historic Places.

Note: it is illegal to remove artifacts from this historic site without proper authorization. For more information about the project, please contact: Paul Tierney, Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park, (859) 289 5507.

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is located on highway US 68 in Robertson County between Paris and Maysville. The lodge at the park has "Hidden Waters Restaurant" and a gift shop. The park also has a museum, campground, mini golf, pool and playground facilities, hiking trails and a boat ramp on the Licking River.

Steve Wiser presents "What will Louisville be in 25 years?" at The Filson

What will Louisville be in 25 years?
Louisville 2035 by Steve Wiser
Thursday, March 27, 2008 – 5:45 p.m.
The Filson Historical Society

Where we’ve been, where we are, where we’re headed? Find out in this fascinating look into metro Louisville’s past, present and future. What will be the hot new residential and business districts? How will transportation connections improve? Prepare now for the next exciting, dynamic 25 years in Louisville!

Join The Filson and Steve Wiser for a lecture on what Louisville might be in 25 years, new business locations, neighborhoods and transportation systems on Thursday, March 27 at 5:45 p.m.

This lecture is a result of two of Wiser’s popular presentations: “Unbuilt Louisville” and “Lost Landmarks of Louisville.” Unbuilt Louisville” features developments that were proposed but never constructed. “Lost Landmarks” contains buildings that were built but no longer exist due to demolition. Wiser merges both of these themes into a vision of how Louisville might change by 2035. Wiser combines local history, past proposals, current planning and his own conjecture to offer an exciting future of how Louisville can become an even better place in which to live and work.

Cost: free and open to the public at The Filson Historical Society, 1310, South Third Street, Louisville, KY 40208.

Grant Funds Available in Bowling Green

The Landmark Association is pleased to announce that we are offering grants to Landmark members once again this year. Up to $5,000 total is available for projects on historic buildings here in Bowling Green and Warren County. For more information, please contact us at bglandmark@yahoo.com for a grant form. The deadline for grant applications is April 21, 2008.

Volunteers Needed to Help Clean Up Perryville Battlefield

Seven generations after the beginning of the Civil War, another wave of volunteers is about to descend on Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site and other storied American battlegrounds. But this new contingent of dedicated men and women will be armed with paint brushes, trash bags and weed whackers.On “Park Day” -- Saturday, April 5, 2008 -- history buffs and preservationists from around the country will team up with the Civil War Preservation Trust (CWPT) to help clean and restore America’s priceless battlefields, cemeteries and shrines. Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site is one of the sites that will benefit from Park Day-related activities. Volunteers are needed for a variety of projects, including cannon repair and horticultural activities.Park Day is underwritten with a grant from The History Channel. For the second time, this year’s Park Day is presented in partnership with Take Pride in America, a division of the U.S. Department of the Interior.Park Day, now in its tenth year, is an annual hands-on preservation event created by CWPT to assist local groups with the maintenance of Civil War sites. Participants gather at the sites to help with activities that range from trash removal to trail building. In exchange for their hard work, volunteers receive t-shirts and have an opportunity to hear a local historian discuss the significance of the site.

WHAT: Civil War Preservation Trust Park Day
WHEN: April 5, 2008, beginning at 9:00 a.m.
WHERE: Perryville Battlefield State Historic Site1825 Battlefield Rd. Perryville, KY 40468

For more information about Park Day at Perryville Battlefield, please contact Joni House at 859-332-8631 or joan.house@ky.gov.