Results of a Cultural Resources Reconnaissance Survey of Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts

Summary

A cultural resources reconnaissance survey was conducted of the Westover Air Reserve Base in Massachusetts. The cultural resources survey was conducted by the Office of Public Archaeology at Boston University for Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts, and Law Environmental of Georgia. The survey included an archaeological reconnaissance survey with limited subsurface testing and an architectural survey.

During the archaeological survey, 173 shovel test pits were excavated within 16 areas selected for subsurface testing. Further investigations at the previously-recorded Westover Air Force Base/Small Arms Range Parcel prehistoric site (19-HD-219) indicated that most of this site has been destroyed; as a result, this site is not considered to be potentially significant. The previously-recorded Drop Zone site (19-HD-223) could not be located because of poor locational data; it is recorded as being in the same location as the Small Arms Range Parcel site. One prehistoric site (Westover-Stony Brook site), two historical sites (Cooley Brook site and the Tilly Structure site), and one area of historical potential (Tower occupation) were identified as being potentially significant. As a result of the archaeological survey, seven broad areas of archaeological sensitivity were defined as having known or potential archaeological remains. In general, these areas are distributed along the perimeter of the base where military construction and other activities have been less extensive.

The architectural survey included a review of general studies of military architecture and construction and site-specific research in the Westover archives, visual assessments of the exterior of each facility currently within the bounds of Westover, and the development of preliminary determinations of potential eligibility to the National Register for Westover facilities. Of the facilities located within the current base boundaries, 41 were inventoried for their potential historical significance and eligibility for listing in the National Register. These facilities include 37 World War II-era properties and 4 properties dating to the Cold War period. The World War II-era facilities include 14 buildings with wooden siding or cladding, 7 brick structures that are Colonial Revival in style, 6 brick structures that lack the decorative details of the brick Colonial Revival buildings, 5 hangars, and 3 facilities constructed of concrete and 1 constructed of metal.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Westover Air Force Base Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management Archive

Keywords

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Westover Air Reserve Base

Contributor(s): Donald G. Jones; Sally Pendleton

Lab Director(s): Nicole A. Missio

Principal Investigator(s): Ricardo J. Elia

Prepared By(s): Office of Public Archaeology, Boston University

Submitted To(s): Stone & Webster Engineering Corporation

Record Identifiers

Office of Public Archaeology Report of Investigations No.(s): 134

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