Discovering Our Island History

Roche Harbor Homestead Field School Archeologists with Islanders Cooky Gossom and Jerry Jameson (right); great-great grandchildren of Sam’s Woods Homesteaders – Contributed photo

The public is invited to attend a presentation by the 2015 Burke Museum Roche Harbor Homestead Field School participants on Monday, August 24th, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the San Juan Island Library meeting room.

For the past week, 12 visiting archeology students have been investigating and cataloging the historic Smith homestead in an area previously known as Sam’s Woods in the vicinity of English Camp inside the Roche Harbor watershed. The purpose of the Field School is to provide actual hands-on experiences in exploration and cataloging techniques for students wishing to further their careers in archeology. The students will present their findings on the history of this homestead site.

The Field School was a community collaboration led by Dr. Amanda Taylor of Pacific Lutheran University and Archeologist Jack Johnson with the Burke Museum, assisted by local resident Phoebe Daniels. Sponsors included Roche Harbor Resort, Roche Harbor Water Systems, and Saltchuk who now own the homestead property and value its conservation.

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