Salutations, one and all. My name is John Griebel and I am a second year student in the Industrial Archaeology Graduate Program at M.T.U. Although this is my first “dig”, my interest in historic structures goes back to early days prowling around Cleveland, Ohio in the 50’s and 60’s and a brief stint as a Ranger-Historian at Harpers Ferry N.H.P. in 1970. In the meantime, I have been busy as a psychiatric social worker, high school social studies teacher and drama director. Following the W.P.F. Field School, I will be working as the Assistant Interpreter at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park and doing research on the Nonesuch Mine.
Michigan Tech is the only graduate program in North America dedicated to industrial archaeology (exploration of the material culture of people from the industrial time-period). In a partnership with Scenic Hudson, Michigan Tech has spent the last six summers exploring the historic documents, mapping the site, and using archaeology to learn more about the foundry. The site has become a classroom for students to learn about the iron industry and about excavation techniques. In addition, the field school has offered the participants and the general public the ability to interact and learn from one another about the importance of our industrial heritage and the interest the public has in preserving their past. We hope that the interest and enthusiasm generated will become a win-win-win situation with Scenic Hudson and the Hudson Valley community benefitting in the long run from the M.T.U. Industrial Archaeology Field School’s presence.
Students and faculty during the first week have been engaging in extensive familiarization with the iron foundry and its operations; the history and significance of the Hudson Valley; and archaeological techniques, new instruments and methods of mapmaking and documentation. We also enjoyed having three 4th grade classes from Fishkill Elementary School visit the site.
The key word for the first week of Field School was “familiarize” as participants spent the week familiarizing themselves with the locale, the site, the basic measuring skills of pacing and compass, sketch mapping, and site-clearing. Along with preparation for the physical fieldwork, the group also participated in discussions and lectures. Topics included the history and significance of the Hudson River Valley in America’s heritage, the importance of the West Point Foundry to our newly emerging republic, the innovations wrought by the skilled engineers and foundry workers in cannon production, and the place of the Foundry along the Hudson River’s industrial core. The group also met with rangers and officials from the Scenic Hudson Land Trust organization and learned of the Field School’s part in the many-faceted mission of Scenic Hudson; respecting and preserving the cultural as well as the natural landscape of this beautiful area.
